Kodaikanal, the princess of hill stations, is a beautiful small town situated on top of the Western Ghats in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The best thing about this South Indian hill station is it has different vibes in different times of the year.
Go in winter of December to feel the chill of the hills among ringing bells of Christmas. Go in the summer of May to enjoy the cool mountain breeze. Go in the rains of August to float among the clouds. Kodaikanal often called as Kodai, is the perfect destination to go any time of the year with family, friends, partner or solo. Situated at a height of 6698ft, the view of the Palani Hills from here is breathtaking. If you are lucky enough you can see the mountains turning blue with the blue flowers called Kurinji which blooms once in every 12 years. It is also a perfect destination for a weekend getaway from Chennai or Bangalore. And the best part is, it is cheap !!
Staying in Kodaikanal totally depends on your budget. You can get rooms for INR 500 ( $8 ) in the main town area around the lake. If you want to stay in a resort or hotel a bit outside among the hills, you can get one for INR 1000 - 1500 ( $15 - $23 ). It is better to take a place 1–2 kilometers outside the main town to enjoy the serenity of the hill station. A homestay is also a good option. Don’t forget to ask for a campfire wherever you stay as sitting under the star-filled clear sky at night is enchanting. I saw a number of shooting stars there so you surely don’t want to miss that chance!
Places To Visit:
1. Kodaikanal Lake:
This is the main attraction of the town as it is centrally located. It has a circumference of 5 kilometers and is the abode of a variety of water lilies. Horse riding and cycling along the road surrounding the lake is fun to do. Boating in the lake is available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Paddling boats and rowing boats charge INR 40 ( $0.6 ) per person for 20 minutes. Tickets available in the counter there.
2. Bryant Park:
Just beside the Kodai lake is this beautiful park filled with different types of flora and fauna. It is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry fee is INR 30 ( $0.5 ).
3. Coakers Walk :
A beautiful walk along the cliff of the hill from where one can get a mesmerizing view of the hills around. There is an observatory with a telescope to get a closer view. Go in the early morning and witness awesome light and shadow of sun and clouds. Timing is 7:00AM – 7:00PM. Entry fee INR 10 ( $0.15 ). Telescope usage charge is INR 20 ( $0.31 ). Still camera charge is INR 30 ( $0.46 ).
4. Upper Lake View Point:
The view of the Kodai valley along with the lake from this point is picturesque. Don’t forget to take a group or solo picture here with the lake in the background. No fixed timing. No entry fee.
5. Moir Point:
Named after the famous engineer Sir Thomas Moir, this place gives a captivating view of the hills around. Timing is 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Entry fee is INR 10 ( $0.15 ).
6. Pine Forest:
A huge pine forest covers this area where the sunlight through the pine leaves offers perfect blend for taking memorable photographs. Timing is 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. No entry fee.
7. Devil’s Kitchen / Guna Cave:
Originally named as Devil’s Kitchen, this place is more popular as Guna Cave after the Tamil movie Guna was shoot here. The caves are bat infested and presently entry to the actual cave is not permitted. But the surrounding area has a magical feel with the crisscross visible roots of trees and a cliff from where one can see the clouds floating below. Timing is 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Entry fee is INR 5 ( $0.07 ). Still camera charge is INR 10 ( $0.15 ).
9. Pillar Rocks:
This is a combination of three gigantic granite boulder of 400 feet. The chamber between these pillars is the Guna Cave. These boulders stand tall to give a majestic view to the place. Timing is 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Entry fee is INR 5 ( $0.07 ). Still camera charge is INR 20 ( $0.3 )
Silver Cascade Falls: This fall welcomes you to the Kodai valley when you enter this town. This 180 feet tall fall has the beauty of its own. Best time to visit is any time between 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. No entry fee.
10. Vattakanal:
This small village around 7 kilometers from main Kodaikanal town is a must-visit because of its falls and greenery. Trekking in this forests among waterfalls is something you should not miss. This place is also known as 'Little Israel' as a number of Israeli tourists come here every year. The famous Magic Mushroom of Kodai is said to be found in the forests of this village.
NEXT BLOG WILL COME ON 1 OCTOBER! DAY 2 IN KERALA.
Go in winter of December to feel the chill of the hills among ringing bells of Christmas. Go in the summer of May to enjoy the cool mountain breeze. Go in the rains of August to float among the clouds. Kodaikanal often called as Kodai, is the perfect destination to go any time of the year with family, friends, partner or solo. Situated at a height of 6698ft, the view of the Palani Hills from here is breathtaking. If you are lucky enough you can see the mountains turning blue with the blue flowers called Kurinji which blooms once in every 12 years. It is also a perfect destination for a weekend getaway from Chennai or Bangalore. And the best part is, it is cheap !!
Staying in Kodaikanal totally depends on your budget. You can get rooms for INR 500 ( $8 ) in the main town area around the lake. If you want to stay in a resort or hotel a bit outside among the hills, you can get one for INR 1000 - 1500 ( $15 - $23 ). It is better to take a place 1–2 kilometers outside the main town to enjoy the serenity of the hill station. A homestay is also a good option. Don’t forget to ask for a campfire wherever you stay as sitting under the star-filled clear sky at night is enchanting. I saw a number of shooting stars there so you surely don’t want to miss that chance!
Places To Visit:
1. Kodaikanal Lake:
This is the main attraction of the town as it is centrally located. It has a circumference of 5 kilometers and is the abode of a variety of water lilies. Horse riding and cycling along the road surrounding the lake is fun to do. Boating in the lake is available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Paddling boats and rowing boats charge INR 40 ( $0.6 ) per person for 20 minutes. Tickets available in the counter there.
2. Bryant Park:
Just beside the Kodai lake is this beautiful park filled with different types of flora and fauna. It is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry fee is INR 30 ( $0.5 ).
3. Coakers Walk :
A beautiful walk along the cliff of the hill from where one can get a mesmerizing view of the hills around. There is an observatory with a telescope to get a closer view. Go in the early morning and witness awesome light and shadow of sun and clouds. Timing is 7:00AM – 7:00PM. Entry fee INR 10 ( $0.15 ). Telescope usage charge is INR 20 ( $0.31 ). Still camera charge is INR 30 ( $0.46 ).
4. Upper Lake View Point:
The view of the Kodai valley along with the lake from this point is picturesque. Don’t forget to take a group or solo picture here with the lake in the background. No fixed timing. No entry fee.
5. Moir Point:
Named after the famous engineer Sir Thomas Moir, this place gives a captivating view of the hills around. Timing is 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Entry fee is INR 10 ( $0.15 ).
6. Pine Forest:
A huge pine forest covers this area where the sunlight through the pine leaves offers perfect blend for taking memorable photographs. Timing is 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. No entry fee.
7. Devil’s Kitchen / Guna Cave:
Originally named as Devil’s Kitchen, this place is more popular as Guna Cave after the Tamil movie Guna was shoot here. The caves are bat infested and presently entry to the actual cave is not permitted. But the surrounding area has a magical feel with the crisscross visible roots of trees and a cliff from where one can see the clouds floating below. Timing is 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Entry fee is INR 5 ( $0.07 ). Still camera charge is INR 10 ( $0.15 ).
9. Pillar Rocks:
This is a combination of three gigantic granite boulder of 400 feet. The chamber between these pillars is the Guna Cave. These boulders stand tall to give a majestic view to the place. Timing is 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Entry fee is INR 5 ( $0.07 ). Still camera charge is INR 20 ( $0.3 )
Silver Cascade Falls: This fall welcomes you to the Kodai valley when you enter this town. This 180 feet tall fall has the beauty of its own. Best time to visit is any time between 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. No entry fee.
10. Vattakanal:
This small village around 7 kilometers from main Kodaikanal town is a must-visit because of its falls and greenery. Trekking in this forests among waterfalls is something you should not miss. This place is also known as 'Little Israel' as a number of Israeli tourists come here every year. The famous Magic Mushroom of Kodai is said to be found in the forests of this village.
NEXT BLOG WILL COME ON 1 OCTOBER! DAY 2 IN KERALA.
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