ABOUT KODAIKANAL:

• The ‘Princess of Hill Stations’ popularly referred as ‘Kodai’, nestles at an altitude of 2,133 metres, on the southern crest of the Palani hills in the Western Ghats.
• The road to Kodai winds up through coffee plantations and thick forests giving a perfect introduction of this lovely hill resort.
• It is the only hill station founded in India by the Americans and is noted for plantains, plums and eucalyptus oil.

 

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Madurai Airport, Madurai (IXM), 121 kms away from Kodaikanal town.
• Rail: Palani Railway Station, Palani, 64 kms away from Kodaikanal town. Kodai Road Railway Station, Kodai Road, 80 kms away from Kodaikanal town.
• Road: Well connected by road.

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

HOLY CENTRE	Kurinji Andavar Temple
PARK & GARDENS	Bryant Park   Chettiyar Park
MUSEUM & AUDITORIUM	Shenbaganur Museum
SCENIC SITE	Coaker’s Walk   Pillar Rock
WATERFALLS	Bear Shola Falls
LAKE	Kodai Lake   Boat Club
OTHERS	Solar Astrophysical Observatory
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	Pongal Jallikattu Natyanjali Chirithirai Summer Festival

For more information visit  https://dindigul.nic.in/tourist-place/kodaikanal/

ATTRACTIONS OF KODAIKANAL

 

Kodai Lake:

• Star-shaped deep blue lake sparkles like a jewel in the crow amidst the emerald green wooded slopes.
• It was created in 1863, by Sir Vere Hentry Levinge (1885), the Collector of Madurai.

 

Boat Club:

• TTDC boats, Kodai boats Carlton provide boating facilities here.
• Annual boat pageant is held in May during the Summer Festival.

 

Bear Shola Falls:

• The falls 1.6 kms from the lake are popularly among picnickers.

 

Bryant Park:

• Beautiful Botanical Park lies on the eastern side of the lake, near the Coaker’s Walk.
• Annual Flowers show is held here during the Summer Festival.

 

Coaker’s Walk:

• Scenic hill-edge pathway 1 km from the Kodai Lake.
• A telescope installed here provides fine views of the surrounding valley.

 

Kurinji Andavar Temple:

• Shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan was built in 1936, by a European lady and named after the unique ‘Kurinji’ flower.
• Temple affords a fine view of Palani, the famous pilgrim centre and Vaigai Dam.

 

Chettiyar Park:

• Beautiful and well maintained park lies towards the north-eastern side of the town, on the way to Kurinji Andavar temple.
• Amazing purple bloom of the Kurinji Flowers can be seen here once in every twelve years.

 

Shenbaganur Museum:

• Archaeological remains and the flora and fauna of the hills are displayed here.
• It also has one of the best orchidariums in the country with over 300 species of orchids.
• There are several stuffed birds and butterflies etc.

 

Solar Astrophysical Observatory:

• It was established in 1889, about 3 kms uphill from the Kodai Lake.
• Visitors can also see a small museum here.

 

Pillar Rock:

• Excellent view point is one of the most popular attractions of Kodai.
• There are 3 granite formations measuring 400 feet in height.
• One can also see over 100 dolmens and other megalithic remains dating back to 2^nd century.
• A mini garden has been developed here.

 

ATTRACTIONS AROUND KODAIKANAL

 

Palani:

• 64 kms away from Kodaikanal town.
• Major pilgrim centre of the South is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Subramanya.
• The road from Kodaikkanal to Palani is endowed with breath taking beauty.
• Sacred Malaikovil or hill temple dedicated to Lord Murugan or Subramanya is perched atop a 140 metre high hill and can be reached by a flight of 659 steps or an electrically operated winch.
• It enshrines a unique idol of the presiding deity, known here as Sri Dandayuthapani as the idol is made of medicinal herbs.