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Travel to Kodaikanal... |
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Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most
popular hill stations in India, which attracts visitors. With her wooded slopes,
mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake, Kodaikanal is a
charming hill station. The unique flowering plant 'Kurunji'(Strobilanthus
Kunthanus) that last bloom in 1992, is the nature's gift to Kodaikanal. The
hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste. Berijam lake, one among the
beautiful lakes of South India, spreads over an area of 24 hectares. |
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| History : | |||||||||||||
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The early history of Kodaikanal goes back to 14th century AD when residents of
Palani foothills fled to Kodai to save themselves from the invasion of Tipu
Sultan and oppressive rule of the plains. Lieutenant B. S. Ward, a surveyor, was
the first European to visit Kodaikanal in the year 1821. The reason behind his
visit to this place was to have a clean and hygienic place around Madurai that
can save the missionaries operating in south Tamil Nadu from the summer heat and
occasional epidemic diseases. The place was accessible from Madurai and had a
wonderful climate and it did not take much time for Kodaikanal to gain
popularity in the immigrant population. |
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| Facts and Figures : | |||||||||||||
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| How to Reach : | |||||||||||||
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Air: The
nearest airport is at Madurai (120 km from Kodaikanal). Rail: The nearest railway stations are the Kodai Road Railway Station (80-km) and the Palani Railway Station (64-km). Road: Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai (520-km), Ooty (264-km), Trichy (197-km), Coimbatore (175-km), Kumili (160-km), and Madurai(120-km). Regular bus services are available from Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore. Additional buses ply during the season. Taxis and vans are available for local transportation. There are no auto-rickshaws in Kodaikanal. |
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| Best Season to Visit Kodaikanal : | |||||||||||||
| Best season to visit Kodaikanal is between April To June And September To October. | |||||||||||||
| Sightseeing : | |||||||||||||
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The main activity in Kodai is walking around enjoying the sights and views. The
rolling lawns of the numerous stone and wood cottages from the British period
are edged with flowering shrubs and trees. The views from coaker's Walk, where
an observatory with telescope is available, and from Pillar rocks, a 7 km hike,
are two of the most spectacular in India. Bryant Park is also worth a visit.
Flora and Fauna Museum is at the Sacred Heart College nearby Shembaganur.
It is a 6-km hike and all uphill on the way back. The museum is open from 10 to
11.30 am and 3.30 to 5 pm and is closed on Sundays. There are numerous
waterfalls in the area, Silver Cascade is the main one. Astrophysical Laboratory
is built on the highest point in the area, 3 km uphill from the lake. It
houses a small museum which is only open from 10 am to noon on Fridays. Boating
and Riding : The lake at Kodai has been wonderfully landscaped, and rowboats are
also available. Kodaikanal Star Shaped lake and Priests walk to
scientific and astrological wonder the Solar observatory, the storehouse of
botanical species Orchidorium, breathtaking Perumal Peak and Fairy Falls, the
list goes on and on. Once you are through with your sightseeing schedule, you
can also browse through the local market in the town to get a glimpse of the
locally produced goods and knick-knacks to buy. Head for Kodaikanal in the
Palani Hills for small-time trekking. You can take short treks and hikes to
tourist spots close by as well to local viewpoints. Overnight treks are also
possible here where one can spend a night at a local village. |
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| Excursion : | |||||||||||||
| Berijam Lake : | |||||||||||||
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Berijam Lake located at a distance of 21-km from Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu is one
among the beautiful lakes of South India. Spread over an area of 24 hectares,
the lake is star shaped and is known for its pure water. |
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| Perumal Peak : | |||||||||||||
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The Perumal Peak, about 11 km from Kodaikanal, is a trekker's
delight. Climbers begin their ascent from the Neutral Saddle. |
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| Kukal Cave : | |||||||||||||
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Kukal Cave, 40 km from Kodaikanal, is a favourite camping site for
trekkers. Reportedly, descendants of the Paliyans still live here. |
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| Ooty : | |||||||||||||
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Ooty "Queen of hill stations"
is the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular
tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains".
It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. An
added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam near Mettupalayam and
wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels
beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea
gardens. |
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