Kodaikanal

1. About the Place

Kodaikanal - better known as Kodai - is on the southern crest of the Palani Hills, about 120 km north-west of Madurai at an altitude of 2100 m. it is surrounded by wooded (not so thickly any more) slopes, waterfalls and precipitous rocky outcrops. The journey up and down is breathtaking.

At Kodai nature is at her most beautiful where the ochre earth covers herself in emerald silk. That is studded with gems of sheer glittering water. The mist is her shawl, covering her with mystique and magic.

Kodai is the only hill station in India set up by Americans, though they were soon joined by the British. American missionaries established a school for European children here in the mid-1840s, the legacy of which is the Kodaikanal International School - one of the most prestigious private schools in the country.

Australian blue gums provide the eucalyptus oil sold in Kodai's street stalls and create numerous environmental problems. Plantations of exotic species together with rampant tourist development have resulted in local action to save Kodaikanal from further environmental damage.

Kodaikanal provides an escape from the heat and haze of the plains and the opportunity to hike in the quiet sholas (forests).

2.General Information

Area: 21.45 sq.kms

Population:

27,461 (1991 census)

Altitude:

2,133 metres above sea level

Climate

Maximum: Summer - 19.8⁰C, Winter - 17.3⁰C

Climate

Minimum: Summer - 11.3⁰C, Winter - 8.3⁰C

Rainfall:

165cms (average)

Heavy

rain occurs during Oct. - Dec.

Clothing:

Light woollens in the evening during summer and heavy woolens during winter.

Seasons:

April to June, and September to October, but can be visited throughout the year.

Languages Spoken: Tamil and English

STD Code: 04542

3. What to see?

The Kodai lake in star shape dominates this sleepy hill station. Have pleasure in walks. Yes, walking is the best way to reach any place interesting in this tiny Kodai and, you can enjoy a magnificent display put by nature at Bryant's Park.

We can catch a glimpse of the heavens (literally speaking) at the Solar Observatory and from Kodai's two telescope houses.

Kodaikkanal is dotted with enchanting picnic spots. Coaker's walk, running along a steep slopes, offers a panaromic view of the plain; Green Valley View on the other hand provides a beautiful view of the Vaigai Dam. Bear Shola Falls, a pretty little cataract, offers endless hours of cool relaxation.

Berijam lake, situated 21 Kms from the township, lies in a beautiful valley, reflecting the glory of the specious in its clean waters. Dolphin's Nose (8 Kms), a projecting rock provides a view of the deep chasm below. Then go on get higher upon life. Climb the misty and high Perumal Peak. And you'll be rewarded with one of the most wonderful views in and around Kodaikkanal.

Cavemen habitat at Kukkal caves (40 Kms) and Dolmen's Circle (22 Kms) are famous pre-historic, archaeological sites. You can see no cave man today!

Shenbaganur Museum (5.6 Kms.). is easily one of the best orchidoriums in the country offering the visitor, more than 300 species of orchids.

The Kurinji shrub, unique to the Western Ghats, is found in Kodaikanal. Kurinji turns the slopes into a sea of purple once in 12 (the next blossoming will be in 2004). These can be seen at chettiar Park.

The Kurinji Andavar Temple (3.2 Kms) is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It also offers the worshipper a beautiful view of the northern plains and the Palani Hills.

Flora & Fauna Museum - Also worth a visit is the Flora & Fauna Museum at the Sacred Heart College at Shembaganur. It's a 6 km hike and all uphill on the way back. The museum is open 10 am to noon and 3 to 5 pm; closed Sunday. Entry is Rs.1. Near the start of Coaker's Walk is Bryant Park, a botanical park landscaped and stocked by the British officer after whom it is named. At Chettiar Park, about 3 km up hill from town, 1.5 km past the Kurinji Andavar Temple, you may be able to see some Kurinji flowers.

There are numerous waterfalls - the main one, Silver Cascade, is on the road up to Kodai.

4. Places of Workship

The Mariamman Temple, Vinayagar Temple, Murugan Temple, two mosques at Ellis Villa and Munjikal, sacred Heart Church, Munjikal, Francis Xavier Church, Gorapur, St. Mary's Church, Lassalette, St. Joseph's Church, Luthern Mission Church, Lake End, offer the devout a relaxed and genteel place to pray.

5. Shopping

Khadi Emporium, Handloom Co-operative Stores and Taravancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium, Kurinji Mini Super Market, Spencer and Company.

6. Places to Stay

Hotel prices in high season (1 April to 30 June) increase by up to 300%, especially at the lower end of the market.

Budget Hotels

Greenlands Youth Hostel (Tel. 41336, fax 41340), about 1 km from the centre at the end of Coaker's Walk, Guru Lodge (Bazaar Rd), Hotel Sunrise (Tel.40358), a few minutes walk from the bus stand, Yagapa Lodge (Tel.41235), off Club Rd.

Mid-Range Hotels

Taj Villa (Tel. 40940, Coaker's Rd), off Club Rd, Hotel Anjay (Tel. 41089, Bazaar Rd), Snooze Inn (Tel. 40837), Hotel Sangeeth (Tel. 40456), Hotel Astoria (Tel. 40524), next door to the Sangeeth, Hotel Jewel (Tel. 41029, Hospital Rd), Hilltop Towers (Tel. 40413, fax 40415, Club Rod, opposite the Kodai International School, Hotel Garden Manor (Tel. 40461, Lake Rd).

Deluxe Luxury Hotels

Other Accommodation

Municipal New Rest House, Thyagarajar Road, Ph. : 41298. Municipal Rest House, Near Bus Stand.

7.Places to Eat

Hospital Rd, with a range of different cuisines, is the best place for cheap restaurants and it's here that you'll find most travellers congregating.

Tava Restaurant, below the Hotel Jewel, offers vegetarian Indian food.

Hotel Punjab offers tandoori food.

Ahaar is a little vegetarian place.

Silver Inn restaurant is a place for breakfasts and also does pizzas and other western dishes.

Wang's Kitchen has Chinese and western food at reasonable prices.

Tibetan Brothers Restaurant is a popular place serving westernised Tibetan food.

The Royal Tibet is a very popular place and serves veg and non-veg food. Its noodle soups make a filling meal on a cool night. Just give the coffee a miss!

Chefmaster has continental, Chinese and Keralan dishes, and also hand made chocolates!

Hotel Breads is like a coffee shop.

Eco Nut has a wide range of health food-brown bread, cheese, essential oils, etc.

Little Silver Star (Bazaar Rd), upstairs in the building opposite the tourist office, serves tandoori chicken.

Manna Bake Vegetarian restaurant (Bear Shola Falls Rd) is run by Israel Booshi, who doubles as a chef and environmentalist.

Taj Villa (Tel. 40940, Coaker's Rd) has a chef reputed to be turning out all manner of interesting dishes.

The Carlton Hotel (Tel.40056, fax 41170, Lake Rd) is the place for a splurge.

8. How to reach?

Bus: Kodai's bus stand is basically a patch of dirt opposite the Hotel Astoria. State buses run to Madurai (Rs.26, 121 km, 3½ hours, eight daily), Tiruchirappalli (197 km, three daily) and Kanyakumari (356 km, one daily), and twice daily to both Coimbatore (244 km) and Chennai (Rs.103, 513 km). Frequent buses also go to Palani (Rs.20, 65 km, three hours), Dindigul and Kodai Road train station. There's a KSRTC semideluxe bus daily to B angalore (480 km). Deluxe minibuses operate in the high season between Kodaikanal and Ooty. The all-day 332 km trip costs Rs.200 to Rs.250. Mid-range hotels usually keep a list of the departure times.

Train: The nearest train stations are Palani to the north (on the Coimbatore-Madurai-Rameswaram line), and Kodai Road on the Madurai-Trichy-Chennai line to the east. Both are about three hours by bus. Train bookings can be made at one of the many travel agencies.

9.Local Transport

Taxis are very expensive here. There are no rickshaws.

The stall outside the Carlton Hotel rents mountain bikes on an hourly/daily basis. The bicycle stall near the Hotel Garden Manor rents ordinary bikes.

10. Other Information

Orientation: Kodai is remarkably compact. The budget hotels, restaurants and the bus stand are all near the main street, Bazaar Rd (Anna Salai). Most of the better hotels are some distance from the bazaar, but usually not more than a 15 minute walk.

The tourist office (Tel. 41675), close to the bus stand, seems more interested in promoting friends than providing information. Open Monday to Saturday, it operates many local tours. For literature on Kodai visit the CLS Bookshop, opposite.

The State Bank of India, near the post office, is the best place to cash travellers cheques. And sending mail from the post office is a breeze!