Kodai is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. 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.
Due to its high altitude, Kodaikanal has a temperate subtropical climate. Surface temperature varies from moderate to quite cool. During the summer average temperature is 11 - 20°C (52 - 68°F) and during the winter it is 8 - 17°C(46 - 63°F). In January, night temperatures sometimes drop to freezing, and thin ice is seen on the lake edges.
The average rainfall is 1650 mm, mostly during the North East retreating monsoon from June to September. The best times for traveling there are from April to June and from September to October
The nearest airports are Madurai (135 km), Trichy (200km) and Coimbatore (170 km). The nearest Railway stations are Palani Railway Station (64 km) north, Kodai Road Station (80 km) south east and Dindigul Railway Junction (100 km) east. The 2 - 3 hours drive to Kodai by bus or taxi via the Ghat roads is a fantastic experience. Travelers may stop at turnouts on the road and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Palani hills.[5] There is a 28 km shortcut from Periyakulam to Kodaikanal via Kumbakarai under construction. Bicycle rentals, taxis, vans and limited city buses are available. Rickshaws are not available.
There are at least 50 hotels of all classes and over 30 South and North Indian, Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian, Continental, Western and Chinese restaurants, not counting many bazaar shops and tea stalls. There are eight banks: Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Indian Bank, Kodaikanal Urban Bank, State Bank of India and Union Bank of India. The two medical facilities are The Van Allen and Government Hospitals. Places of worship for Hindus, Moslems and Christians include the Kurinji Andavar, Mariamman, Vinayagar and Murugan Temples; Ellis Villa and Munjikal Mosques; and the Sacred Heart, Munjikal, St. Francis Xavier, Gorapur, St. Mary?s, La Salette, St. Joseph?s, Lutheran Mission and Lake End Churches.
Kodaikanal is a romantic hill station for the newlyweds to go for a honeymoon. An artificial star shaped 45 ha. (60 acres) lake built in 1863 is located close to the centre of town. Next to the lake is Bryant Park, a botanic garden. Rowing boats and pedalos and riding horses can be hired. A five-kilometer path that skirts this lovely lake is a favourite walk.
The Shenbaganur Museum, founded in 1895, is open for the public to view their outstanding collection of more than 300 exotic orchid species and artifacts of the ancient Paliyans tribes people whose descendants still live in these hills.There are several popular hiking and trekking trails in the Palani Hills that originate in Kodaikanal.
Kodaikanal is near the center of the proposed 736.87 km˛ Palani Hills National Park. The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is at the highest location near Kodai. A former director John Evershed, discovered the phenomenon of radial motion in sunspots, now known as the Evershed effect. The kodaikanal Terrestrial Telescope can view the complete surroundings of the hills which covers sothupparai dam, Vaigai Dam, periyakulam, Varaha river etc.
Green Valley View (previous name was changed for better appeal to tourists), Pillar Rocks, Silver Falls, Kodai Television tower and the Guna caves (made popular by the Tamil movie Guna) are popular places where many tourists visit. The Kurinji Andavar temple is famous for its Kurinji flower which blossoms only once every 12 years. The blums, Berikke, Kodai milagaay, Red carrot are the most common natural edibles available. Cauliflower, cabbage, chillies and onions are cultivated on the outskirts of Kodaikanal.
There is an excellent bazaar where one can buy woollen clothing, flowers, vegetables, fruit, meats, handicrafts, hot snacks, children toys, medicinal herbs and oils. The cosmopolitan nature of Kodai is evident at the market place where it is not uncommon to see Scandinavian backpackers, retired French tourists and people from other parts of India enjoying fresh pastries served by Tibetan refugees. |
Coorg:
A friendly warning to all concerned: One trip to Coorg (Kodagu) and it’ll haunt you for the rest of your life. You might leave Coorg, but Coorg will never leave you. Don’t blame us if you keep returning to it time and again.
That’s Coorg for you- incomparable scenic beauty, lush green valleys, coffee plantations, teak wood forests & majestic mountain ranges. Add to that a strong, brave martial race of Coorgs (Kodavas) that reveres tradition, has a distinct culture and lives life to its fullest.
Coorg is situated on the Western Ghats of Karnataka in South India. For the adventurous at heart, it is an absolute treat. There are trekking, golfing and angling (Mahaseer too!) options available. Religious trips abound on Hindu and Buddhist circuits. Family getaways can be easily arranged. You can also relax your body and mind with special Ayurvedic massages. Coorg is also as trendy and happening as its close neighbour Bangalore.
But the predominant entity here is nature at its best. Coorg is like the dreamland of the philosopher. If you’re the type who likes to mingle with nature, romance in the mountains, feel the tingle of the cool and gentle breeze, watch leaves flutter in dance-like movements and hear sounds of birds fill the air, then Coorg is just the place for you.!
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