MOUNTAIN ESCAPES
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| Kodaikanal guide
>>> Kodaikanal travel guide and tourist information on Kodaikanal, how to get to
Kodaikanal, also details on sightseeing in Kodaikanal, best time to visit Kodaikanal and
accommodation in Kodaikanal |
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Summer is the time when you simply need to
escape the steaming plains of Tamil Nadu and plot a course towards greener pastures. Head
for Kodaikanal, 2,133mt, Tamilnadu's evergreen hill station in the Palani Hills of the
Western Ghats. Kodaikanal (also called Kodai or Kody) is blessed with balmy weather
throughout the year, barring a few wet months in winter. Green hill slopes with many a
waterfall; thick forests with eucalyptus trying to reach for the skies, fruit orchards and
a beautiful lake paint the Kodaikanal picture. The Kody Lake is at the
heart of town, a glimmering, star-shaped lake that is Kodaikanal's prettiest sight. |
You can drink in Kodaikanal's beauty for
hours at the lakeside - this is a lovely place to linger awhile, stroll around or go
boating. Pedal boats and rowboats are available to splash across the lake. Fishing is
allowed with permits.Kodaikanal's soothing scenery invites you for long walks - along the
lakeside or into the surrounding forests and hills. Coaker's Walk and Priest's
Walk are among the more popular of these walking trails. Coaker's Walk winds
right around Kodaikanal, with some breathtaking sights of the countryside. Pillar Rocks
and the temple town of Madurai, are visible on a clear day.
Bryant Gardens and Chettiar Park are flooded with
seasonal flowers. Chettiar Park's best-known attraction is the rare Kurinji plant that
flowers once in 12 years - and is next due to bloom in the year 2006. The Flora
and Fauna Museum on the way to Silver Cascades has a pretty
collection of orchids. There are a number of picnic spots like Fairy Falls
and Glen Falls. Perumal Peak is an exciting trek for the
more energetic. A number of other organized treks are possible from Kodaikanal, with
permission from the Forest Department. Try the 8 km trek to Dolphin's
Nose-Vallagavi-Kumbakkarai or the tough 13 km trek to Kukkal-Kudiraiyar Dam through
deciduous forests and waterfalls. A16 km trek to Vilpatti - Ganesapuram - Puliamarathope -
Palani takes you through coffee plantations.
Walk, trek, boat, daydream - whatever your do, Kodaikanal gives you a piece of the action.
Enjoy it!
Getting to Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is 520 km from Chennai and 120 km from Madurai, which has the closest airport.
Kodai Road and Palani are the nearest railheads, from where Kodaikanal is 3 hours by road.
The drive from Chennai or Bangalore takes 12 hours and from Madurai takes 4 hours. State
Transport and private buses are available; taxis and vehicles can be hired.
Best time to visit Kodaikanal
Summer- April to June- is peak season in Kodaikanal, when the weather is great and there
are Summer Festivals to liven the tempo. The crowds thin between July and October but the
weather remains pleasant. Temperatures range from 10º to 20ºC, with wet winters.
Accommodation in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal has a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels near the lake, to
middle budget and economy motels that are concentrated around the centre of town.
Dormitories are available for those on a shoestring budget. Tariffs start at Rs 200 for
economy and Rs 2,000 and above for luxury rooms. For details contact Tamilnadu Tourism
Development Corporation, Municipal Bus Stand, Rest House, Kodaikanal, Tel 04542-241675 or
TTDC at West Veli Street, Madurai, Tel 0452-2334757. |
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