kodaikanal Lake
kodaikanal Lake, a man-made lake, is located in the Kodaikanal city of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu
Considered as one of the most popular geographic landmarks and tourist attractions, this lake is located at a distance of 3 km from the bus stand. Perched at an elevation of 2,285 m above sea level, this lake is star shaped.
Enclosing an area of around 60 acres, the lake has an average depth of 3 m. The lake was created in 1863 by Sir Vere Hentry Levinge, who was the collector of Madurai. He came to this place after his retirement and converted this marshy land with several streams of lake.
Tourists visiting this artificial lake can take a walk around this lake or can enjoy several activities such as cycle rides and horse rides. In addition, fishing can also be done at this lake; however tourists need to obtain permission from Inspector of Fisheries. Boating can also be enjoyed on this lake, for which boats are provided by Tamil Nadu Tourist Development Corporation and Kodaikanal Boat & Rowing Club.
Coaker's Walk
discovered in 1872, has been named after Lt. Coaker. Located on the southern slopes of this beautiful hill station, Coaker's Walk is a paradise for nature lovers. Situated at a distance of 1 km from the lake of Kodaikanal, this place is known for its long winding paths, forests and flowers present.
The major attraction of this place is the Telescope House that offers beautiful view of valley and its nearby towns. Tourists visiting this place are required to purchase a ticket for entering Coaker's Walk. The ideal time to make a visit to Coaker's Walk is before 2:30 in the afternoon. This is because after 2:30 pm, the mist starts setting all over by the late afternoon.
Pillar Rocks
Pillar Rocks, located at a distance of 8 km from the lake tower, is one of the famous tourist attractions. At this attraction, tourists can see three granite boulders that are standing vertically shoulder to shoulder. Measuring a height of around 400 ft from the ground, these pillars are known for offering bird's eye view of
the surrounding beautiful vistas. The chambers that are between the two pillars are also known as Devil's Kitchen.
Green Valley View
Green Valley View, located around 5.5 km from the Kodaikanal Lake, is the point from where tourists can enjoy the beautiful view of the Vaigai Dam. The place is formerly known as Suicide Point owing to facts that it is deep, dangerous and dense.
The valley is around 5,000 ft deep and the ideal time to make a visit to this valley is between 10 am and 3 pm. The major attraction of this valley is presence of plenty of monkeys
Bryant Park
Bryant Park, a botanical garden, is situated on the eastern side of 'The Lake'. Conceived and landscaped in 1980 by a British Army Officer, Glenn Bryant. At this botanical garden, every year in the month of May, an annual flower and vegetable show is organised. In addition, it is one of the most visited attractions during the summer months. The garden also houses a glasshouse, which comprises a wide assortment of flowers, ferns and other ornamental plants.
Berijam Lake
Berijam Lake, located at a distance of 21 Kilometres from the heart of the city, the lake is one of the most popular attractions of Kodaikanal. This lake was introduced to the public by European settlers. Known for its serene beauty, the area on which the lake is present was originally a swamp, which was cleared so as to discover the lake.
Surrounded by green pine population, this lake is the main source for Periyakulam Town, which is located in proximity to Kodaikanal. Tourists visiting the lake can spot bison and leopard along with chirping birds. This lake can only be visited after obtaining the permission from the District Forest Officer, as it is not open to general public.
Berijam Lake is a place where tourists can enjoy plethora of activities such as boating, walking and trekking. Boating is one of the most popular activities that tourists can enjoy at this lake. Water of this lake is abode to several known and unknown species of fish, which makes it angler's heaven.
Silver Cascade Falls
Silver Cascade Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls, is the first attraction that unfolds to tourist, located on the Madurai - Kodaikanal road, on way to Kodaikanal. This waterfall is the result of excess water in the Kodai Lake, which comes down as a fall. Silver Cascade Falls is located at a distance of around 8 km from Kodaikanal.
Considered to be an ideal location for nature lovers, this falls is 180 ft high. Owing to the presence of various minerals in the water of this fall, taking a bath in this fall is refreshing. In addition, this fall also serves as a halting point for vehicles and tourists as there are several shops dotted around, which sell fruits and other forest products.
Dolphin's Nose
Dolphin's Nose, perched at an altitude of 6,600 ft, is located at a distance of 8 km from the main city of Kodaikanal. The place is one of the major attractions of the destination as it offers bird's eye view of the beautiful landscape of the hilly region. Endowed with the scenic beauty, the best time to make a visit to Dolphin's Nose extends from the month of October to March.
Kurinji Temple
Kurinji Temple, located at a distance of around 5 km from the bus station, is also known as Kurinji Andavar Temple. Dedicated to Lord Muruga, the God of Hills as per the Tamil literature, tourists visiting this temple can enjoy beautiful view of Vaigai dam and Palani hills.
In Tamil Language, Kurinji means hilly region, while the word Andavar refers to God. In addition, this temple is also a venue for summer festival, which is celebrated in the month of May every year. During this festival, tourists flock the temple so as to seek the blessings of Lord Muruga.
silent Valley View
silent Valley View, situated at a short distance from Pillar Rocks, can be seen on the Berijam lake road. The best time to make a visit to this valley is during early morning and late afternoon. Since the valley is deep, children visiting this valley have to be accompanied by their parents
The Pine Forest
The Pine Forest was cultivated by one Mr Bryant in Kodaikanal in 1906 with the idea of having a timber forest for valuable wood. The place turned out to be a popular holiday destination and now lures multitudes of visitors to it from all over.
Kodaikanal brings respite to visitors from the heat of the adjoining cities with its pleasant climate throughout the year. This hill station, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is 2000 metres above sea level, set in the Ghat section of granite cliffs which are completely covered with Pine forests, waterfalls and lakes and grassy slopes. The star-shaped lake is a man-made one and the town is situated around it.
A honeymooners’ paradise with a laidback pace, the town has several holiday activities to offer, having a stroll through the Pine Forest being one of them. Sunlight shimmering through the pine trees is a visual delight.
Camping and trekking in the midst of these sylvan surroundings, while enjoying succulent jackfruit lobes, which are available in plenty in these parts, is sheer bliss. Many Indian movies have been filmed here and it is a popular location for movie makers. Driving to Kodaikanal is the easiest way to get there either from the cities of Tamil Nadu or even from Mysore in Karnatakanl
Devil's Kitchen
devil's Kitchen, a famous tourist attraction, is a dangerous deep hidden ravine located between Pillar Rocks. This kitchen looks like small dark gutters but is a deep fall. Situated between Green Valley View and Pillar Rocks, for visiting this place, tourists can seek the help of localities as they are well aware of the place.
Guna cave
guna cave
locatedated on the southern escarpment of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal, is a rock formation called Pillar Rocks: three massive rocks about 400 ft. tall, standing adjacent to each other and protruding out of the cliff face. Legend has it that the Pandavas once stopped in Kodaikanal and cooked their meals here while they stayed in this area. The caverns in between these rocks and the cliff face were formerly known as the Devil’s Kitchen, due to the visual effect of fog passing the cave, rising up and coming out of an opening that resembles a chimney. The region was a little known hiking spot prior to the 1992 Tamil movie ‘Guna’. Several scenes from the movie were shot within this Cave, and this ended up making it a famous tourist destination and later being named Guna Caves.
Entry into the deeper ravines of the cave is restricted and cordoned off due to mysterious rumoured disappearances of inquisitive explorers in the recent past. The cave system can be safely seen from a distance as well. There are good trekking trails that lead to the caves and the surrounding region is covered by lush green forests and breath-taking views of the valley often covered in fog.
Guna Caves is 7 km from the Kodaikanal bus stand and an 8- to 10-minute drive
Subrahmanya temple
a distance of 65 km from the Kodaikanal city is Subrahmanya temple and sometimes Palani temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanian that stands as one of the most famous South Indian temples at an altitude of 135 meters. To reach the sanctum sanctorum there are 659 steps and the festival of Tai Pusam and Panguni Uttaram is celebrated with great pomp in the temple.
flora and Fauna Museum
flora and Fauna Museum was formed in 1895 and is an educational and tourist location and is also known as Shenbaganur Museum. A variety of specimens of flora and fauna with preserved fossils of various ancient floras can be seen. There is an Orchidarium with over 300 species of exotic orchid. The Sacred Heart College is looking after the museum.
Upper Lake View
A dazzling, breath-taking viewpoint of the Kodaikanal Lake, the Upper Lake View is a definite stop for the travellers and visitors to the verdure that Kodaikanal is. The star-shaped lake of Kodaikanal is a manmade one that was created in 1863 by one Sir Vere Henry Levinge. The lake has, since then, been the most popular geographic landmark of Kodaikanal
From the vantage point of the upper plateau, the panoramic view offers tourists a picturesque and dreamy view of the Kodaikanal Lake and allows for a beautiful contrast of the lake against the sullen green of the surrounding hills. The route to the Upper Lake View is about 3.2 km from the Coaker’s Walk, through to the Green Valley.
Small eateries and shops in the surrounding area greet travellers passing through. While these facilities allow tourists to take a few moments to rest and avail of the small craft items and handiworks being sold, the amenities are limited.
One would recommend that a tourist visit for a few lazy moments, breathe in the fresh, clean air, take in the peace and serenity of the moment, and definitely photograph the untouched beauty of the surrounding.
wax museum
wax museum
If you are on the roads of Kodaikanal and exploring Green Valley, drive along a little more and you’ll reach the Kodaikanal Wax Museum. This is a one-of-a-kind wax museum and is themed to uphold the history of India. It has the wax statues of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and of saints like Adi Shankaracharya. It also holds statues to represent ways of life of the natives.
With an inexpensive entrance fee and with an air of simplicity, this place makes for an out-of-the-ordinary visit if you are holidaying Kodai Kanal. This is the only wax museum which holds a statue of the infamous Veerappan who terrorised South India at one point. To represent the religion's influence on our nation, it has wax statues of Lord Krishna, the Crib, and Sai Baba. A new take on Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” represented in the form of wax statues is worth noting.
The fun doesn't end at passively gazing at statues: a band of wax-statue musicians awaits for one of their musicians to be filled in, which can be you, who can play along with real instruments and make a fun day out of it. The museum also has homemade candles you can buy as a souvenir to remember this place by.
Lutheran Church
The beautiful Gothic structure, Lutheran Church was built in 1932. The adorned Church was adorned with stained glass window while detailed paintings and murals depict the life of Jesus Christ on the Church walls.
Christ the King Church
Christ the King Church is a highly sacred shrine situated near the Coakers Walk in Kodaikanal. The building of this church was built by American Madurai Mission in 1895. Previously known as the Union Church, this Protestant Church from the colonial period has a clear influence of colonial architecture.
Christ the King Church is a typical example of Gothic architecture and is made of granite. A series of stained glasses adorns the windows of the church and wooden chairs are placed in front of the altar. The main altar has a beautiful image of Lord Jesus.
The church is open to all and is visited by tourists and worshippers as well. The timings are from 6.30 am to 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm to 8.30 pm. Masses are held in Tamil and English. The perfect time to visit the church would be during Sunday service or during festivals like Christmas and Easter when the whole premises is lit up and decorated.
Tourists can also visit Kodaikanal Lake, Coakers Walk and Bryant Park which are located very near to this place.
Christ the King Church is easily reached by car or by walking.
Shenbaganur Museum
shenbaganur Museum, located at a distance of 5 km from Kodaikanal Lake, is also known as Flora and Fauna Museum. Established in 1895, this museum is managed by Sacred Heart College.
This museum also houses an orchidarium, which has a collection of around 300 species of exotic and indigenous orchids. In addition, the museum also preserves fossils along with wide varieties of flora and fauna. Moreover, it is one of the best places to visit by those who want to gain knowledge about the traditional culture of South India
Dolmen Circle
Dolmen Circle, located in proximity to Parvatha Vihar and the Pannikadu village, is one of the major attractions of the destination. The hill station of Kodaikanal has marked a place for itself on anthropology map, because of the presence of pre historic remains, which date back to 5,000 BC.
These pre historic remains are the burial and dwelling places of people belonging to the Stone Age and Iron Age, which are known as dolmens and kistavens. The dolmen is made up of two large erect stone slabs, which are topped by larger flat slab. Many dolmens were destroyed, however at present they can be seen intact in two places namely Perumal Peak and Shenbaganur Museum.
perumal Peak
perumal Peak, situated at about 11 km from Kodaikanal, is a preferred spot for trekking enthusiasts. Situated at an elevation of 2,440 m, Perumal Peak is the highest peak in Perumal Malai hills. Snuggled in the Western Ghats, this peak offers an excellent view of Nilgiri Hills and the surrounding Western Ghats. Few locals here say that the peak was once a volcano and it had stopped erupting 1000 years ago.
The trekking path leading to the top of the peak is safe and is considered an easy trek, even for beginners. The trekking trail starts at Neutral Saddle near Perumal Mallai, a small village at the base of the peak. Though part of the forest area, there are no restrictions for hiking here and anyone can trek the peak without permission from the Forest Department.
It takes about four hours to climb up and down the peak. The best time for trekking with the whole family is from the months January to May during which the weather remains pleasant. Trekking during monsoon can be fun, but risky due to leeches and essential precautionary measures have to be taken.
Taxi services are also available for people who cannot climb the peak.
