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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Experience the splendid Kodaikanal

Located in the folds of the Palani hills, Kodaikanal is a popular and quiet hill station with forested slopes, stupendous rocks, captivating waterfalls and a lovely lake. Situated at an altitude of about 2,133 m above sea level, this hill town is well known its educational institutions that have earned international repute.

The most spectacular scene this hill station has to offer unravels itself once in every 12 years when the blue-violet 'Kurinji' flowers blossom up to cover its slopes like a velvet carpet. They are the reason that these hills have earned the name of 'Nilgiris' or Blue Hills. The fruits and plums here are known for their freshness and taste. Stretching across an area of just 21.45 sq. km., the Berijam Lake here ranks amongst the most charming lakes of South India that spread across an area of 24 hectares.

Tourist attractions

The Lake
A impressive star-shaped lake glitters like a jewel amidst the emerald green wooded slopes. This 24 hectare lake is skirted by 5 Kms long, black tapped road is focal point of Kodai, This lake was created in 1863 by Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, who was the collector of Madurai, retired and settled in Kodai.

Dolphin's Nose
Situated about 8 km from the Berijam Lake is the Dolphin's Nose, a flat projecting rock from where one can take a breathtaking view of the widening gorge below.

Coaker's Walk
Coaker's Walk derives the name from Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodai and it is about a kilometre from the lake, which runs along a steep slope on the southern side of the Kodai. Some of the best views of the plains can be seen from here.

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.

Bryant Park
Another popular spot of the hill station is the Bryant Park, situated on the eastern side of Kodaikanal Lake. It is essentially a botanical garden, named after its founder, Mr. Bryant, a British Army Officer. Here, you will find a blooming growth of mixed flower species, including roses and lilies. The park also serves as the venue of a horticulture show, organized every may.

How to reach!

By Air
Madurai Airport is the nearest air link from Kodaikanal, situated at a distance of approximately 120 km.

By Road
Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai (520km), Ooty (264km), Trichy (197km), Coimbatore (175km), Kumili (160km), and Madurai (120km). There are regular bus services from Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore. For local transport, taxis and luxury buses are available for local transportation. There are no auto-rickshaws in Kodaikanal.

By Rail
There are a number of trains that you can take from all major metropolitan cities of India to reach Kodaikanal. From Chennai, you can take Nagarcoil Express or daily Pandain express while tourists from Delhi can board at Navyug Express that leads to Kodaikanal Road Station.

Accommodation Kodaikanal offers nice accommodation facilities to the tourists. The TTDC-run Hotel Tamilnadu on Fern Hill Road and Carlton Hotel, near the Lake Road, are two top-end hotels. Hotel Clifton, Hotel Garden Manor, Yagappa International Tourist Lodge, Kohinoor Circuit House, etc., are some other hotels where comfortable accommodation is provided to tourists.

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