• Places of Interest
• Picnic Spots
• Tips & Information for the tourists
• Hotel Accommodation Details
• Trekking Routes
• Modes of Travel
• Travelogue on our trip to Kodai

Places of Interest

Silver Cascade: Silver Cascade waterfall is located on the Ghat Road about 8-km away from Kodaikanal as one approach from Kodai Road, Dindigul or Madurai. The overflow of Kodai Lake takes a 180 ft leap over a steep cliff, to crash as a pool.

Kodaikanal Lake: This is a magnificent man-made lake spreading over 60 acres in the form of a star, surrounded by fine-tarred road of 3.5km. The maximum depth is now about 9m, the average being 3m. In 1863, Vera Levinge, a former district Collector of Madurai who had settled here after his retirement, had converted the marshy land with several streams into a lake by constructing a strong bund at his own cost.
Tourist Attractions:
Bike Ride: Bicycles can be hired around the lake, with the minimum charges for a normal cycle being Rs.10/- for an hour. [ Do go for the ride sometime towards the evening after 5pm, its very enjoyable and you do not feel the tiredness at all]
Pony Rides: This is a regular event with rates varying from Rs.50/- to 75/- for half an hour. And also for those who prefer only a snap can always get one for a minimum cost of Rs.10/-
Boat Rides: Kodaikanal Boat Club, T.T.D.C boats and Carlton boats are available on hire for hours. The annual boat pageant is held in May, every year as a part of Summer Festival. [ Try out the Carlton boats, the TTDC boats are not well maintained]

Byrant Park: This is situated on the eastern side of the lake, named after the British forest officer who had planned its layout. It comprises of a glass house exhibiting plant varieties of flowers, cactus, etc., a big lotus pond, well laid out gardens with beautiful pine, eucalyptus trees, colorful flowering shrubs and hybrids grown. Its famous for the summer festival, horticultural show held in May.
Entrance Fee Details:
Rs.5/- for Adults,Rs.2/- for Children
Rs.25/- for Cameras, Rs.100/- for Handicam [Its not worth while for the payment collected, would suggest not to waste the money]

Chettiar Park: This park is located on the way to Kurinji Andavar Temple, which is very well maintained by the township, clean, calm, flooded with seasonal flowers and best-known attraction is the rare Kurinji plant that flowers once in 12 years, next due in 2006. The park is very quiet and peaceful; those who love tranquil time passing can prefer this place. No entry fee is collected and is open between 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Kurinji Andavar Temple: The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Murugan. In Tamil literature "Kurinji" means "Hilly Region" and "Andavar" means God. From this temple, one can get a view of the northern plains and Palani Hills.

Green Valley View: It offers some unforgettable spectacles of the hill resort. Driving along the cool green darkness with the trees making a canopy overhead, one reaches this viewpoint. The sheer drop of 1,000 feet overlooks the Vaigai Dam. When clouds are banked like snow, and violet smog envelopes the distant hills, the mist rises from the valley, imparting a fabulous beauty to the scene. The pathway leading to the viewpoint is full of shops loaded with home made chocolates, fancy ornaments, evergreen flowers.

Golf Club: This is spread over 114-acre, another colonial legacy undulating green velvet carpet. The Golf ground is just opposite to the green valley view entrance, and one can have a glance of the lush green area with permission restricted to only members. It is fenced off, but if you are there early you can chance upon wild bison�s or gaurs grazing. This golf club came in to existence on June 17, 1895. It has 18 holes; total length of the course is 6426 yards, Major events are in April, May & January and interesting competitions throughout the year. Golf lessons are also offered here.

Pillar Rock: 3 granite boulders measuring a height of 400ft stand shoulder to shoulder vertically to each other. The ground drops steep below them creating a remarkable impact and affording a breathtaking view of the valley below. The chamber between the two pillars is called Devil's Kitchen. In the shadows of these pillars are shady woods; full of caves a delight for the adventure seeker. Thick woods line the road leading to these rocks which is located at 7km from Kodai. When the mists wrap up the pillars, they seem to be a mystery and one wonders whether they are real, or whether they were a figment of one's imagination. And when the sun melts the mists away and the rocks rise, solemn and magnificent, speckled in sun and shadow: the effect is otherworldly and breathtaking.

Coaker�s Walk: It is a narrow 1Km fenced pedestrian path, providing a wide-angle spectacular view of the plains and the distant hills. Constructed by Lt. Coaker of the Royal Engineers in 1872, runs along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side. The walk winding around Mount Nebo starts near Van Allen Hospital and joins the main road above St. Peter's Church. It has a telescope house and an observatory, to enable the visitors to have a panoramic view of the valley and the nearby towns. On a cloudless, clear day one can have interesting sights, such as Dolphin's nose in the south, valley of the pambar river in South East, Pillar Rocks, birds eye view of Periyakulam and even the city of Madurai.

Shenbaganur Museum: One of the best orchidoriums in the country with more than 300 species of orchids and wide-ranging collection of birds are found here. The Museum is devoted to the archeological remains and flora and fauna of the hills. The museum is maintained by the Sacred Heart College, a Theological Seminary founded in 1895. The stuffed-birds and the butterfly collection are remarkable. The archeological collection is meticulously documented. One can see the implements and the burial urns of the Paliyans here.

Picnic Spots

Pine Forests, Moir Point: These places are nice to spend leisurely time in peace far from the crowd.

Bear Shola Falls: An ideal picnic spot located 1.6-km from the lake, which can be by a picturesque, rugged hill path. Bears once used to drink water above the falls. To reach this place, cross the lake bund, pass the Telephone exchange on your right, and at the junction take the lower road past Clifton Hotel. The approach is rugged hill path. The falls are at the best in rainy season.

Kukkal caves (40 Km/25 mile) and Dolmen's Circle (22 Km/14 mile) are famous pre-historic, archaeological sites.

Dolphin's Nose ( 8 Km/ 5 mile), a projecting rock provides a view of the deep chasm below. Climb 2400 meter high Perumal Peak. And you'll be rewarded with one of the most wonderful views in around Kodaikkanal.

Berijam Lake: 21 km. from Kodaikanal in TamilNadu nesting in the midst of a thick wood, is an ideal picnic spot and campsite. Berijam is the most beautiful lake in all of South India. Originally discovered by the British & Spanish people, this place was a swamp 80 -100 years ago. It has been converted into a lake with catchments areas around the lake. The lake itself is situated at a very high altitude, just a couple of hundred feet below Kodaikanal. The lake has very pure water and is the main source of water for the town, Periyakulam, which is situated, in the valley below Kodaikanal. Berijam Lake lies in a beautiful valley, reflecting the glory of the specious in its fresh waters. Once the habitat of cavemen, it is now a favourite campsite, and ideal locale for trekking.

Berijam, dotted with dense pine and acacia trees, is a quiet spot like an outpost. From here you can trek up to Kavunji, which is a laid-back village.To have a glimpse of the waterfalls and scenic beauty, trek further up to Polur. Berijam is the last point you can travel by car or any other four-wheeler. There are two roads from Berijam; one goes to Munnar and the other to a small village called Kavunji. Since both the roads are blocked for traffic, they are just perfect for trekking.

Forest laws protect Berijam Lake and the immensely beautiful forest. Tourists need special permission from the forest office, in Kodaikanal, to go there. It is better to be an early bird to get the permission, as the forest office closes by 11:30 am. Tourists are allowed to stay in Berijam till the evening. However, persuasive trekkers get to stay overnight in Berijam at a dormitory which can serve as a base for trekking. Carry a sleeping bag, drinking water, warm clothes, medicines and any food supplies for an emergency.

Trekking Routes

• Kodaikanal-Dolphin's Nose-Vallagavi-Kumbakkarai (8-km/5 mile) - It takes 5 to 6 hours. The return trip would be very rough and the hiking needs strong physique.
• Kodai-Thopi thokki parai-Periyar Periyakulam - Roughly a 5 hours and 19-km/12 mile trek, includes steep rise and one can have a glimpse of Guar. Coffee plantations are in abundance.
• Kodai-Vilpatty-Ganesapuram-Puliamarathope-Palani - A 6 hours trek of 16-km/10 mile distance, takes you to Vilpatty village and from there, a zig-zag steep path runs along the river Palar. Elephants may cross. Be alert.
• Kukkal-Kudiraiyar Dam - A difficult 13-km/8 mile long trek route takes 5 hours for a trained trekker. Water falls, Sholas and deciduous forests will arouse interest. It is advisable to have a guide.
• Pallangi-Poruthalur Dam -A 5-hour trek covering 14-km/9 mile runs through sholas, teak forests and plantations. It is advisable to have a guide.

Published on August 2003