Kodaikanal
Location: Tamil Nadu
Best time to visit: Summer months
Attractions: Hills and Man-made lake
Languages Spoken: Tamil

Inroduction
Kodaikanal, or Kodai is a serene hill station, set high in the Palani Hills at an altitude of over 2100 metres. Wooded hills. Pleasant walks, picturesque waterfalls and a magnificent lake, make Kodai one of the most beautiful hill stations in India, Kodai is 120 kms. From Madurai.

Kodaikanal is rich in flora and fauna. It has a unique plant - the Kurinji, which blossoms once in 12 years, making the hillslopes a blaze of purple. The Kurinji last blossomed in 1992.

What To See
The Lake: A magnificent man-made lake, which spreads out in a star shape over sixty acres, surrounded by green wooded slopes. Boating facilities are available at the TTDC boat club.

Bryant Park: This park is situated on the eastern side of the lake. The horticultural show is held here in May.

Solar Physical Observatory (3.2 kms.): Founded in 1893, this observatory is situated at the highest point in Kodai.

Coaker's Walk (1 km.): Coker's Walk runs along a steep slope on the southern side of Kodai. It provides an excellent view of the plains.

Kurinji andavar Temple (3.2 kms.) : The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Murugan. From this point, one can get a beautiful view of the northern plains and Plaani Hills.

Telescope Houses : There are tow telescope houses in Kodaione near the KUruinjei Andavar Temple (open from April to June) and another at Coaker's Walk.
Entrance Fee - re.1/- per heads.

Gren Valley View (5.5 kms.) : It provides a beautiful view of the Vaigai Dam.

The Pillar rocks (7.4 kms.) : Three houlders stand shoulder to shoulder vertically measuring to a height of about 122 metres (400 ft), providing a panoramic view.

Bear shola Falls (1.6 kms.) : an ideal picnic spot.

Excursion
Silver Cascade (8 kms.) : This waterfalls is located on the Ghat Road.

Shenbaganur Museum (5.6 kms) : The flora and fauna mseum is maintaind by the Sacred Heart College - a theological seminary founded in 1895, One of the best orchidoriums in the country with more than 300 species of orchids is also found here.

Dolmen's Nose (8 kms.) : A projecting rock, which provides a view of the yawning chasm below.

The Perumal Peak (11.3 kms) : This 2,400 metre high peak, offers an excellent opportunity for trekking. The climb begins from a point known as Neutral Saddle (Perumal Malai village).

Berijam Lake (21 kms,) : Once the habitat of Cavemen: it is now a favorite camp site, ideal locale for trekking.

Palani (64 kms.) : a famous pilgrim center of the south and one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. The temple stands on a hill in the Palani range of the Western Ghats.

Kumbakkarai (12 kms.) : Picturesque waterfalls and an ideal picnic spot.

Where To Eat
Hotel Tamil Nadu, Carlton Hotel, Kodai International, Kodai Resort Hotel, Garden Minor, Hotel Astoria/

Where To Buy
Khadi Emporium, Handloom Co-operative Stores and Travancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium, Kurinji Mini super Market, Spencer & Company.

Places Of Worship
Temple: Kurinji andavar Temple; Mariamman Temple; Vinayakar Temple; Murugan Temple.

Church: Sacred Heart Churc, Munjikal; Francis Xavier churc, Gorapur; Sr. Mary's Church, Lassalette; St. Joseph's Church; Luthern Mission Church; Lake End.

Mosque: In Ellis Villa and in Munjikal.

How To Get There
Air : airport at Madurai (120 kms.) and Coimbatore (135 kms.)

Rail : Kodai Raod Railway Station (80 kms.) and Palani Railway Station (64 kms.)

Road : Kodaikanal is connected by road with all important towns. Regular bus services are available from Koaikkanal to Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli, Kumuli, Erode, Bangalore and Coimbatore.