KODAIKANAL - Southern comfort
AT A HEIGHT OF ABOVE 2,000 M, KODAIKANAL, IN TAMIL NADU, PRESENTS A PICTURE POSTCARD PRETTINESS OF AN IDEAL RESORT, WITH STRETCHES OF FORESTS, CASCADING WATERFALLS, LAKES AND FLOWERS. KODAI - AS THE LOCALS FONDLY CALL IT - OR KODAIKANAL, IS ALL OF THIS AND SO MUCH MORE...INDIRA LAUL
You could take a trek through some of the forests, or energy levels permitting, climb up to Pillar Rocks, at a height of 400 ft. Kodaikanal has much to offer for the avid nature lover, the curious traveller, or the history enthusiast. You can capture the breathtaking beauty of the valleys, the Silver Cascade, or the Thalaiyar Falls, on your camera for posterity. And if history is captured in The Pillar Rocks, Dolmen Circle and Kukkal Caves, Kodai's incredible topography can be glimpsed from the Solar Physical Observatory and the Telescope House.
Kodai Lake, a 24-hectare lake, skirted by a five-km-long black tar road, is the focal point of Kodai. This lake was created in 1863 by Sir Vere Hendry Levinge (1819-1885). He did this by constructing the bund to form a lake and then stocked the lake with fish. A boat service was opened to the public and tourists in 1932.
You can take in more of the same beautiful landscape as you stroll through Bryant's Park, on the eastern side of the lake, where you will be greeted with a profusion of flowers. Some of these flowers, both hybrids and grafts, are exported. A glass house in the park shelters some fine varieties of flowers. The Flower Show, conducted every year during May as part of the Summer Festival, is also worth a visit For astronomy-enthusiasts, the planets can be viewed at the Solar Physical Observatory, situated 32 kms from the lake. This observatory was founded in 1989, and is located at an elevation of 2,343 m — the highest point in Kodai. If you've had your fill of heavenly bodies, then visit Telescope House at Coakers, for a panoramic view of the valley and nearby towns. A fee is charged for using the telescope.
Another vantage viewpoint is Green Valley. Also called Suicide Point, it is about 5.5 kms from the lake, located close to the Golf Club. This point commands a beautiful view of the entire Vaigai Dam, however, it comes with a rider - the valley is very deep, dense and dangerous, hence the name, Suicide Point. And just when you think the world couldn't get more beautiful, you spot a view of the 180 ft Silver Cascade. It is eight kms from Kodai Lake. The overflow of Kodai comes down here as a 180-foot-high waterfall. Equally enthralling view of the 975-ft Thalaiyar Falls. Also known as the Rat Tail falls, this is one of the highest waterfalls in the world. It is 975-feet- high. It can be seen while climbing the Ghat Road to Kodaikanal from Kodai Road. It is not possible to visit this spectacular waterfall, as there no approach route to this site.
History buffs can tour the Pillar Rocks. Three boulders stand here, shoulder-to-shoulder, vertically measuring 122 m, providing a majestic sight. The Pillar Rocks are located 7.4 kms from the lake. Moving further, you can sight the prehistoric remains of the dead at Dolmen Circle, located at a distance of 18 kms from the lake. Original burial urns that were unearthed in this region during archaeological excavations can also be seen in the Shenbaganur Museum.
A historical treasure-trove is attached to the Kukkal Caves. For those looking for an adventurous holiday, this is an excellent camp site. It is 40 kms from Kodaikanal. The caves here show traces of the earliest known inhabitants of the region — the leaf-clothed paliyans. More legends are revealed at Palani, which is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya and a famous pilgrim centre of the south. It is just 64 kms from Kodaikanal. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Dhandayuthapani..Direct and frequent buses are available from Kodaikanal to Palani.
And if you are visiting this place during the summer season, then join the festivals. A boat pageant and a flower show attract tourists 'very year during May. Come autumn, enjoy the Salette Matha In December, a winter festival with cultural programmes, is also held.
GETTING THERE
SpiceJet connects Chennai with direct Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
