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KODAIKANAL
 Of the three main hill stations in the south –
Udhagamandalam (Ootacamund, or Ooty), Kodaikanal and Yercaud –
Kodaikanal is undoubtedly the most beautiful and, unlike Ooty, the
temperature here rarely drops to the point where you need to wear
heavy clothing, even in winter.
On the southern crest of the Palani Hills about 120 km
north-west of Madurai at an altitude of 2100 metres, Kodaikanal-
better known as Kodal- is surrounded by thickly wooded slopes,
waterfalls and precipitous rocky outcrops. The journey up and back
down again is breathtaking, through there’s no toy train and access
is by bus or car. In the
town, there are lookouts with spectacular views of the south within
easy walking distance of the town centre.
Kodai has the distinction of being of being the only hill
station in India to be set up during the Raj by Americans, through it
didn’t take long before they were 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.
 Kodaikanal is not just for those who want to get away during
the summer months, but also for those seeking a relaxing place to put
their feet up for a while and do some occasional hiking in the quiet
shoals (forests). In the surrounding hills you’ll find plantations
of Australian blue gums which provide the eucalyptus oil solid in
Kodai’s many street light, purple-blue-coloured blossoms which
flowers every 12 years (the next will be in 2004 though there are
always a few whose natural clocks seem to be out of time).
April
to June or August to October are the best times to visit Kodaikanal,
April to June is the main season, whereas the peak of the wet season
is November / December. Temperature here are mild, ranging between
11oC and 20o C in summer and 8oC and 17oC in winter.
ASTROPHYSICAL
LABORATORY
Built in 1889, this laboratory stands on the
highest point in the area, three km uphill from Kodai’s lake. It
houses a small museum which is open Friday from 10 am to noon and 3 to
5 pm. The building with the instruments are off limits. It’s a hard
45 – minutes uphill walk pushing a bicycle, but it only takes five
minutes to coast down.
FLORA & FAUNA MUSEUM
Also worth a visit is the Flora & Fauna
Museum at the Sacred Heart College at Shembaganur. It’s a six-km
hike and all uphill on the way back. The museum is open from 10 am to
noon and 3 to 5 pm; closed Sunday.
PARKS & FALLS
Near the start of Coaker’s Walk is Bryant Park,
a botanical park laid out, landscaped and stocked over many years by
the British officer after whom it is named. At Chettiar Park, about
three km uphill from town near the Kurinji Andavar Temple, you may be
able to see some Kurinji flowers.
ACTIVITIES
WALKING & TREKKING
The views from Coaker’s Walk which was has an
observatory with telescope and from Pillar Rocks, a seven-km hike (one
way), are two of the most spectacular in southern India.
For
more serious trekking, head to the District Forest Office, on a windy
road down (north) towards Hotel Tamil Nadu. Here you can buy a
pamphlet called Kodaikanal Beauty in Wilderness which describes 17
local treks ranging from eight-km ambles to 27-km hikes.
BOATING &RIDING
The lake at Kodai has been wonderfully
landscaped, and row boats. Down by this same boat house, you’ll be
accosted by people who want to rent you horses.
ROLLER SKATING
The MYH Youth Hostel has a pint –sized skating
rink.
PLACES TO STAY
THE CARLTON, (Government Approved) 5 Star
PRADISE INN, (Government Approved) 3 Star
HOTEL KODAI INTERNATIONAL (Government Approved) 2
Star
THINGS TO BUY
The Cottage Crafts shop on Bazaar Rd opposite the
post office has some excellent bits and pieces for sale. It is run by
Corsock, the coordinating Council for Social Concerns in Kodai. This
organization, staffed by volunteers, sells crafts on behalf of
development groups, using the commission charged to help the needy.
The road down to the lake (alongside the Kodaikanal Club) is
lined with stalls run by Tibetans selling warm clothing, shawls and
other fabrics. Their prices are very reasonable.
Kodai is a lush orchard area and, depending on the season,
you’ll find various fruits –pears, avocados, guavas, durians and
grapefruit – in the street stalls around the bus stand.
AROUND KODAIKANAL
PALANI
There are fine views of the plains and scattered
rock outcrops on the bus ride from Kodaikanal to Palani. The town’s
hill temple, Malaikovil, is dedicated to Lord Muruga, and an electric
winch takes devotees to the top. Some 200,000 pilgrims gather at this
temple fro the Thai Pusam Festival in January.
ANAMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This is one of the three wildlife sanctuaries on
the slopes of the Western Ghats along the border between Tamil Nadu
and Kerala. Though recently renamed the Indira Gandhi Wildlife
Sanctuary, most people still refer to it by its original name. It
covers almost 1000 sq km and is home to elephant, gaur (Indian bison),
tiger panther, spotted deer, wild boar, bear porcupine and civet cat.
The Nilgiri tahr, commonly known as ibex, can also be spotted, as can
many birds.
In the heart of this beautiful forested region is the
Parambikulam Dam which has formed an immense plain of water that
spreads way into Kerala. The rights to this water, used mainly for
irrigation and energy purposes in Tamil Nadu, are the source of one of
the area’s bitter disputes.
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