Sunday, 17 November 2013

KODAIKANAL

Kodaikanal

                 Kodaikanal is a city in the hills of the taluk division of the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination.Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains.

How to Reach
                 We reach Kodaikanal Through Two routes By road, One Most familiar route is Vathalagundu We Will Reach Kodai Hills With in 2.00Hrs.Then another route Through Palini It will Take 2.30hrs.
                    Nearest Railway Station is Kodai road,Dindigul Jn.Nearest Airport is Madurai.

SILVER CASCADE

                                              It is 8 KMs Kodai lake. The overflow of Kodai lake comes down here as a 180 feet high waterfall. Those interested can have a bath here.
                                                         

COAKER'S WALK

                              The hill-edged pathway was identified by Er. Cooker in 1872. About a Kilo metre from the lake. Coaker's walk runs along a steep slope on the southern side of Kodai. It offers some of the best views of the plains. Entry fee is Collected here

BRYANT PARK

                                This park is situate d on the eastern side of the lake. It is noted for its flowers, hybrids and grafts. Cut flowers are exported from here. A glass house which shelters fine varieties of flowers can be seen here. The Flower Show is conducted every year during May, as part of the Summer Festival, should be seen everyone.



Kodai Lake:

                                  The 24 - hectare lake skirted by a 5km long block for road, is the focal point of Kodai. This lake was created in 1863 by Sir Vere Henry Levinge (1819 - 1885) who was previously the Collector of Madurai, who retired and settled in Kodai. He constructed the bund to form a lake and stocked the lake with fish. He brought the first boat from Tuticorin. In 1890, a boat club was formed and members of the club set sail. In 1910 a new boat house was constructed. The boat service was opened to the public and tourists as well in 1932.

THE PILLAR ROCKS

                                      Three boulders stand here, shoulder to shoulder, vertically measuring 122 meters , providing a majestic sight . Pillar Rocks is 7.4 KMs from the lake. It has a mini garden with lovely flowers.

SILENT VALLEY VIEW

                                   Just a little away from the Pillar Rock - Berijam Lake Road, is Silent Valley View which provides a breathtaking view of Silent Valley. Children are carefully.
Guna caves:
                                   Guna caves, made popular by the Tamil movie Guna, previously called Devil’s Kitchen, are deep bat-infested chambers between the three gigantic boulders that are the Pillar Rocks. The deep narrow ravines of the caves are now closed to public due to the tragic deaths of twelve youths there.These dangerous caves are highly protected now, and tourists can see sections of the cave system from afar.[ In the late 1970s the inside of the caves was well photographed.


 Pine forests

                                   Pine forests, In 1906, with a view to growing valuable timber, Mr. Bryant started the Kodaikanal pine plantations in the south-west of Kodaikanal.It is One of the best tourist spots and shooting spot in Kodaikanal

MOER POINT

                                      Moer Point provides a lovely view of the valley. It is just 3 KMs from the Pillar Rock - Berijam Lake Road.It is the Starting Point Of Forest Area






 Berijam Lake:

                             Berijam is located at the end of Pillar Rocks Road (old SR-18), 21 km  southwest of Kodaikanal Lake There were two roads from Berijam, the Kodaikanal–Munnar Road to Munnar town, about 40 km  west and another going to Kavunji village, 9 km  north. The old roads are now overgrown with vegetation and used as walking trails by local villagers and trekkers. Encounters with wild animals including bison, elephants and leopards sometimes occur on these trails.
                               The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has restricted entry into the Berijam Lake area to between 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the general public. Entry permits are issued at the Forestry Department Office in Kodaikanal. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed in the park each day.There is a forest check–post which prohibits unauthorized entry through the road leading to Berijam Lake.
                                Beyond km marker 13 on the Berijam road there is an observation tower from where one may have a fine view of Berijam Lake and the surrounding forest.Berijam has a Forest Department Camp including an Eco-Education Center for visitors. Nature areas to be visited here include: swamp ecosystem, fresh water ecosystem, nature trail, bridge, medicinal demonstration garden, museum, nature walk, grassland and shola.Site visits are organized for authorized researchers. Trekkers can get permission to stay overnight. There is a Forest Rest House with limited accommodations which serves as an overnight base camp for Forestry Department staff, researchers and trekkers. Visitors must bring their own provisions.

Kukkal caves  :

                                   
                                               Kukkal caves is located at a distance of 40 Km from Kodaikanal, a good place for trekking. To reach Kukkal Caves, travel by bus up to Poombarai and then you have to walk. The way to Kukkal Caves is straight out of a fantasy movie; a walk through geranium plantations and through a pine and wattle forest, an experience that can be described as pure magic. It is preferable to take a local guide. The Kukkal forest rest house is at the end of the trekking route. Early morning walks from the rest house will lead to the land of beautiful Shola trees and gorgeous wild orchids; beware of leeches though. The caves here are actually overhanging slabs of rocks. This rock shelter is at an altitude of 1500 m.





Kurinji Andavar Temple

                                             This is a neat small Hindu Temple around 3 Km northeast from Kodaikanal Lake and Lord Subramanya is worshipped here. According to Tamil Literature, Lord Subramanya or Murugan is the God of 'Kurinji' or the Hilly region.This temple is also associated with the Kurinji Flowers, which blooms once in 12 years and spreads a purple carpet across the hill sides. If last flowered in 2006, during that flowering period it is believed that the honey from this region will be good for health. There are few shrubs of the plant maintained inside the temple building and the Chettiar park near by, but the purple carpet hill views are not seen around this region. Read more about Kurinji Flowers here.






Chettiar Park

                        The beautiful and well maintained park lies towards the north eastern side of the town, on the way to Kurinji Andavar temple. The amazing purple bloom of the Kurinji Flowers can be seen here once in every twelve years. It last bloomed in 2006.

Chettiar park is managed by the township, and is 3.2 Km from the Bus Stand. Unlike other areas this park offers a quiet, pleasing ambience except for a stray bus of tourists that stop by. Those who love timepassing can prefer this park to unwind in a world of calm. It has decked floors for flowering plants, and lots of lush green lawns.

                            Some of the famous movies in Tamil and Telugu have been shot here, notable among them are "Darling Darling Darling" by the off-screen couple Bhagyaraj & Poornima.


 


Bear Shola Falls

                      An ideal picnic spot located 1.6 km from bus stand and within 2 km off the lake, which can be by a picturesque, rugged hill path. Bears once used to drink water! above the falls, hence the name of the falls became Bear Shola falls. The falls are at the best in rainy season, so you can plan your trip accordingly. The Cascades and its gentle murmurs are a hit with the tourists and its a good place for a half day visit.

Thalaiyar Falls

                      This is also called as Rat tail falls. One of the tallest falls in Asia with a 975 ft sheer drop, it can be viewed from 13th kilometer on the Ghat road to Kodaikanal. As soon as you ascend the Kodai Ghat road, there is a place called 'Dum Dum Rock' View point, that provides a panoramic view of the Rat Tail Falls and the Manjalaar Dam below. There is a view tower near the small park, from where you can have a real good view and is worth a few snaps. It is mythical belief that Lord Muruga used to visit the Rock on his entourage to Palani. Local people still have rituals corresponding to this belief and regularly offer prayers in this rock, and create drum-noise during the prayers, hence the name 'Dum Dum Rock'. The falls is located on the opposite hill from the Ghat Road, and has no access road or path. So it is best viewed from the road side benches only.

  Pambar Falls

           This magnificent falls is also popularly called as the 'Grand Cascade'. It can be reached by a steep, slippery path behind Pambar house. Racing down Pambar Ravine is the zig-zagging Levinge stream that cascades over a series of rock formations. The Pambar Ravine showers down the Waterfall and a series of steep and precariously slippery rocks during its meandering course. Pambar Falls is a splendid surprise that awaits tourist as they journey across the rigid paths fringed by rugged hills.

It is 4 Km from Kodaikanal Bus Stand.

Dolphin's Nose

                     A flat protruding rock at the edge of the cliff, below which there is a great depth of about 6600 feet. Its name comes from the obvious resemblance to the Dolphin's nose. This is an awe-inspiring sight though we have wonderful sights throughout the way. It is about 8 Km away from bus stand. A breathtaking view of the scenery below is available.


                              

 


 



 




                                                                                     

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