Kodaikanal means “the gift of the forests” in Tamil language.
It is a very charming hill station located in the heart of the in southern state of Tamil Nadu. When we (north Indians) think about hill stations, we tend to think of places that places that are hilly areas in the North like Shimla , Manali , Kashmir, and other spots located in the northern states but little do we take into consideration the hills in the southern part of the country.
Surprised?
But there really are a lot of mountainous beauty existing in the southern states that can give a stiff competition to your regular hill stations and one of such breath taking places is Kodaikanal.
Kodaikanal is a popular tourist destination in the district of Dindigul in the state of Tamil Nadu. This small town apparently has a lot to offer to the tourist. One of those things is the Kodaikanal Lake which is a star shaped lake where one can enjoy a boat ride amongst the mild mist. It makes this a place where you can peacefully chill out and have a good time or go for cycling or horse riding, if you do not fancy boating.
Another place to go visit here is the Berijam lake which is situated in the reserve forest where only limited private vehicles are allowed so you will have to take prior permission from the forest department, but you can always take the mini bus and see the beautiful lotuses in the lake. The drive to this place is really special offering a serene view of the forest.
Another to-die-for view to witness in Kodaikanal are the Pillar Rocks which are basically just two really, really (seriously really!) big rocks. I know it doesn’t sound very exciting when I put it like that but they do really look majestic when you see them with your own eyes. The best time to witness them is post monsoon when there is a little mist around the pillars which is guaranteed to give you a magical and mystical feeling.
And if you fancy a peaceful walk then you should go to the Coakers Walk which is a path along a hill side offering a surreal view of the valley with a number of landscapes and villages down below, it will surely be a walk to remember.
The Pine and the Eucalyptus forest on the drive to Kodaikanal is also a place you can check out during the monsoon season. The forest will give you great opportunities to click some really cool photographs. You can also ride small horses here but take care of your stuff as there are a lot of monkeys in this forest and they can really mess with your stuff.
Other spots to visit which this place has to offer are the Kurinji Andawar temple, Mannavanur lake, Bryant Park, Lake View Point, Poombarai Village view, Guna Cave etc (the list goes on and on…there is a lot to offer)
As you can see the huge list of places to visit this small town has to offer, hence it is advised to visit this place with plenty of time in your hand and preferably in the months avoiding monsoon.
So what are you waiting for? Get packin’!
Psst…Do share with us if this article inspired you to explore Kodaikanal or helped you in planning your trip here.
– Karanveer Monga
Edited by Mrinaal Datt
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