A Trip to Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is situated in the Hills of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal is a popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu and Kodaikanal also recognized as “Princess of Hill station “. It was established in the year 1845 as a protection from greater temperature. As per 2011 census, Population of Kodaikanal was 36,500.

Altitude: 2,133 meter

Average Summer Temperature: 19.8 Degree Celsius

Average Winter Temperature: 8 Degree Celsius

District: Dindigul, Tamil Nadu

The best thing about Kodaikanal is it can be visited throughout the year, but the best time would be October and March. Connectivity with Kodaikanal in terms of Roadways, Railways, and Airways is outstanding.

Kodaikanal View

Airways:

Nearest Airport: Madurai international Airport

Madurai Airport is around 120kms distance from Kodaikanal.

Consistent flights are accessible from here for cities like Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai, etc.

Travelers can easily access Bus or Taxi services to Kodaikanal.

Roadways:

Nearest City: Madurai

Kodaikanal is connected with major cities by Road such are Bangalore (460km), Chennai (530km), Ooty (255km), Trichy (198km), Coimbatore (175km) and Kumili (160km)

Madurai is 120km and it will take 4 hours to reach Kodaikanal by Road.

Government Buses and Private Buses are available from Madurai.

Buses are also available from Palani, Kodai Road and Dindigul.

Railways:

Nearest City: Madurai

The nearest Railway station is Palani Station which is 60km, located at North and Kodaikanal Road Station which is 80km, located at South East

Nearest Railway Junction is Dindigul which is 100km, located at East and Madurai Junction which is 120km, located at East.

Kodaikanal exhibits numerous places to visit such are Kodaikanal Lake, Coaker's Walk, Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves, Dolphin Nose, Berijam Lake, etc.

Kodaikanal Lake

It is also identified as Kodai Lake. Kodai Lake is not a Natural lake, its manmade lake. Kodaikanal Lake was created by Sir Vere Henry Levinge, Collector of Madurai in 1863. The lake is located in Centre of the town surrounded by hill range. The total surface area of the lake is around 59 Hectares. Boating is one of the major tourist attraction in Kodai Lake.

Kodaikanal Lake

Kodaikanal Boat & Rowing Club was started in the year 1940, which offers traveler to adore with various kind of boating.  They have Pedal Boats, Row Boats, and Kashmiri Shikara Boat. Kashmiri boats are well-known as Honey Moon couple boats.

Entry Price Tickets:

Pedal Boat:

70rs for 2 people (Half an Hour)

140rs for 4 people (Half an Hour)

Row Boat:

245rs for 6 people

Shikara Boat:

415rs for half an hour       

Berijam Lake

Berijam Lake is obviously a reservoir which means the artificial lake and is situated at Fort Hamilton.

Berijam Lake is located at the completion of Pillar Rock road, 21km from Kodai Lake. Berijam is one of the most standard spots among travelers in Kodaikanal. Boating is prohibited because the lake is the foundation of water for villages around Kodaikanal.

The Berijam Lake area has limited entry between 9:30 am to 3 pm for the public. Travelers have to take permission from Tamil Nadu Forest Department office prior to visiting Berijam Lake. A limited number of passes are given to visit Berijam Lake each day.

Boating is banned inside the lake to prevent water from contamination.

If you are a fishing enthusiast, then you have to get permission for Fishing separate from Fisheries Department.

Berijam Forest rest house is used to provide accommodations to Forest officers, Researchers, etc...

Berijam Lake is an impeccable vacation to spend time with your family and friends.

Pillar Rocks

Pillar Rocks

The place is termed after three gigantic Rock pillars to be found at the height of 400m, which is managed by Tamil Nadu Forest Department.  You can find Devils Kitchen from a distance, which is situated between the two pillars. It is one of the popular place visited by travelers throughout the year. The small garden is available around the spot which makes kids enjoy more. Pillar Rocks is located at 8km from Kodaikanal Bus stand. Entry ticket is free for this spot.

Coaker’s Walk

It is recognized to be one of the celebrated walks presented by Kodai Hills. If you love to walk in peace, with nature delight, then you must visit this place on the trip. It is around 1km path constructed on the mountains of the southern side.  Coaker’s walk was constructed by Lieutenant Coaker in the year 1872, so it named after him.

View from Coaker's Walk 

The walk starts from Van Allen Hospital and ends at the main road near St. Peter Church.  Telescope House is available inside Coaker's walk. It offers traveler to sight the valley and other neighboring towns. Ticket price for Telescope House is 20rs.

Entry tickets price for Coaker’s walk is 10rs. Still Camera ticket price is 30rs.

Guna Caves

The film Guna by Kamal Hasan made Guna caves more popular. Guna caves were previously called as Devils Kitchen. As per Hindu mythos, these caves are used by Pandavas to prepare the meal so the word Kitchen came. No proper story behind Devil word, some traveler’s shares news as the word Devil comes from the bats which belong to the cave.

It is located at the distance of 9km from Kodaikanal and 2km from Pillar Rocks. It is situated on the top of two Pillar rocks.  Travelers can view the cave from a distance as the surrounding is fenced due to security reason.

Entry ticket price for Guna Caves is 5rs. Still Camera ticket price is 10rs.

Bryant’s Park

Bryant’s Park is located at the distance of 600m from Kodaikanal. It is well preserved with 20.5 Hectares of Botanical Garden.

Bryant’s Park was planned and constructed in the year 1908 by a Forest Officer from Madurai, H.D. Bryant, so the Park was named after Bryant. The Park has 325 species of trees, flowering shrub, and cactus. The Park organizes summer festival every year in the month of May to overlap with the peak season.

Bryant's Park, Kodaikanal

Bryant’s Park has a beautiful Glasshouse, Children Play area and a small lake to attract travelers. It is one of the neatly maintained Park which results in huge travelers gathers in the evening.

Entry ticket price for Bryant’s Park is 30rs for adult, 15rs for Children. Still Camera ticket price is 50rs and Video Camera ticket price is 100rs.

Dolphin’s Nose

Dolphin's Nose, Kodaikanal

Dolphin’s Nose is located at a distance of 8km from Kodaikanal. It is situated at an altitude of 6600ft. It termed after the rock hanging from the cliff which in shape of a Dolphin nose. It will be the memorable tourist spot for Trekkers because Travelers need to trek downwards around 2km, total time taken to reach the spot is nearly 2hr. While trekking you will get to spot Periyakulam Town, Vaigai Lake, and view of the valleys. Make sure you are carrying required things before trekking. No Entry ticket for this spot.