KODAIKANAL
409 km from Chennai and 101 km from Dindigul. Kodaikanal is one of India’s most beautiful hill stations located 41 an attitude of 2133 meters. (7,000 feet) frequented by tourist in large numbers throughout the year. Places of interest include Bryant Park. Pillar Rocks, Lake. Solar Observatory Perumal Peak, Silver Cascade, Telescope Houses at Coaker’s walk and Kurinji Andavar Temple. Bear Shola Falls Berijam Lake, Museum and Orchidorium at Sacred heart College. Shenbaganur. Very good trek routes are available here.
Kodaikanal Bear Shola Falls
An ideal picnic spot 1.6 km from bus stand and within 2 Km off the lake. Where once bears came to drink water. Hence the name of the falls became Bear Shola falls. The approach is rugged hill path. The falls are at the best in rains season.
Berijam Lake View in kodaikanal
This place provides a panoramic landscape iess of Berijam Lake and is located just t before one reaches the lake. This view point is 19 km from Kodaikanal Lake.
Bryant Park in Kodaikanal
Bryant Park in Kodaikanal
This park is situated on the eastern side of the lake it is famous for its flower hybrids and grafts. Cut flowers are exported from here. A glass house which shelters fine varieties of flowers can be seen here. The Flower Show is conducted every year during May, as pact of the summer festival.
Chettiar Park
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the town, on the way to Kurinji Andavar Temple, the Chettiar Park is a charming place to stop by.
Kodaikanal Dolmen Circle
This situated near Parvatha vihar and the Pannikadu village. Kodaikanal is put on anthropology map mainly because of the presence of pre historic remains dating back to 5000 BC. These are called dolmens and kistavens which are the dwelling and burial places of people of Stone Age and Iron Age. The dolmen are fantastic stone of two very large erect stone slabs topped by larger flat slab .Many such dwellings were destroyed but even now, they are seen intact in two places namely Perumal peak and Shenbaganur Museum.
kodaikanal Coaker’s Walk
The hill-edged pathway was identified by Er. Coaker in 1872. About a Kilometer from the lake. Coaker’s walk runs along a steep slope on the southern side of Kodai. It offers some of the best views of the plains. Entry fee is collected here.Fairy Falls
A delightful picnic spot just 5 km Kodai Lake. There is a beautiful waterfall here.Green Valley View in kodaikanal
It is about 5.5 Km from the lake and very near the Golf Club. This point commands a beautiful view of the entire Vaigai dam. As the Valley here is very deep, dense and dangerous this place was once known as “suicide point”.
Kodaikanal Golf Club
Golf Club Situated on the road to the Pillar Rocks, the Kodai Golf Club boasts of a well laid 18 hole course fit for competitions at national level. Often the golfers teeing in the early morning accost herds of wild animals. The Club is exclusively for its members. Non- members and holiday’s golfers, who want to play, have to pay a special subscription. The tourists on the road have a glimpse of the whole range.
Kodaikanal Kukkal Caves
Kukkal Caves For reach Kukkal Caves which is at a distance of 40 km, travel by bus up to Poombarai and then give a walk. After walking through geranium plantations, pine and wattle forest, the Kukkal forest lest house can he reached. The caves here are actually overhanging slabs of rocks. This rock shelter is at an altitude of 1500 m. The cave reveals traces of earliest settled tribals, Paliyans who used to wear leaf clothing, over viewing the caves. tire Manjampath valley where bisons can be seen.
Kurinji Poo (Flower) in kodaikanal
It blossoms once in 12 years. The last blossom was 2004. During that period Honey got from this place is supposed to he more sweet and good for health.
Kurinji Andavar Temple in kodaikanal
The temple, situated 3 Kms from the lake, is a famous shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan. This temple is associated with the Kurinji flowers which bloom once in 12 years. Kurinji also means hill region in Tamil literature, and ‘Andavar’ means God. Hence Lord Muruga is referred to as the God of the Hill here. From this temple one can have a pleasant view of Palani and Vaigai dam.
Kodal Lake
Lake provides a Beautiful View.The 24 - hectare lake skirted by a 5 km long road, is the focal point of’ Kodai. This lake was created in 1863 by Sir Vere Henry Levinge (1819 1885) who was previously the Collector of Madurai, who retired and settled in Kodai. He constructed the bond to form a lake and stocked the lake with fish. He brought the first boat from Tuticorin. In 1890 a boat club was formed and members of the club set sail. In 1910 a new boat house was constructed. The boat service was opened to the public and tourists as well in 1932. Ph: 04542-242045 (TTDC Boat House).
Moer Point
Moer Point provides a lovely view of the valley. It is just 3 km from the Pillar Rock - Ben jam Lake Road.
Pambar Falls
Grand cascade’ is another name for this magnificent falls. It cans he reached by a steep. precipitous path behind Pambar house. Racing down Pambar Raivine is Zig zagging living stream that cascades over a series of rock formation. It is 4km away kodaikanal.
Kodaikanal Pillar Rocks
Pillar Rocks three boulders stand here, shoulder to shoulder, vertically measuring 122 meters provideing majestic sight. Pillar Rocks is 7.4 km from the lake. It has a mini garden with lovely flowers.
Kodaikanal Solar Physical Observatory
It is situated 32 Km from the lake. This Observatory was founded in 1989. Located at on elevation of 2343 meters, this observatory is the highest point in Kodai. Visitors can observe the stars and the planets. Ph: 04542-240214
Shenbaganur Museum
This museum is maintained by the Sacred Heart College a Theological Seminary founded in 1895. It is devoted to preserving certain archaeological remains and the flora and fauna of the hills, one of the best Orchidarinams in the country, over 300 species of exotic orchids are housed here. Entrance fee is Rs.1/- per head . Time: 10 am to lt.30 am and 3 pm. to 5 p.m.
Kodaikanal Silent Valley View
Just a little away from the Pillar Rock - Berijam Lake Road, is Silent Valley View which provides a breathtaking view of Silent Valley.
Kodaikanal Silver Cascade
It is 8 kms from Kodai Lake. The overflow of Kodai lake comes down here as a 180 feet high waterfall. Those interested can have a bath here.
Thalaiyar Falls
This is also called as Rat tail falls. The widest falls, ranging from 13th kilometer on the ghat road to Kodai. It is one of the highest flats in India, with their 975 ft sheer drop.
