"Kodaikanal" Top 5 Page for this destination Kodaikanal by DeepaViswanathan

Located amidst the folds of the verdant Palani hills, with the wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake, one of the most popular serene hill stations which mesmerizes any visitor. It is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-km. The pride of Kodaikanal is the 'Kurinji-flower', which blossoms once in 12 years, next due in 2006.
En route: The widest falls, Thalaiyar Falls also called as Rat tail falls ranging from 13th kilometer on the ghat road from Kodai Road or Dindigul. It is one of the highest falls in India, with their 975ft sheer drop.

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. 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.

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 garden with beautiful pine, eucalyptus trees, colorful flowering shrubs and hybrids grown. Its famous for the summer festival, horticultural show held in May.

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

Chettiar Park:
This park is located on the way to the temple, which is very well maintained by the township, clean, calm, flooded with seasonal flowers and best-known attraction is the rare Kurinji plant. The park is very quiet and peaceful; those who love tranquil time passing can prefer this place.

Green Valley View:
Driving along the cool green darkness with the trees making a canopy overhead, the viewpoint offers some unforgettable spectacles. 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.

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. Thick woods line the road leading to these rocks.
When the mists wrap up the pillars, they seem to be a mystery, 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.
On a cloudless, clear day one can have interesting sights of Dolphin's nose in the south, valley of the pambar river in South East, Pillar Rocks, birds eye view of the city’s Periyakulam and even Madurai.

Shenbaganur Museum:
One of the best orchidoriums, maintained by the Sacred Heart College, a Theological Seminary founded in 1895, exhibits more than 300 species of orchids and wide-ranging collection of birds.

• In a nutshell:Relaxing escape from the heat and haze of the plains during summer