Kodaikanal is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. It is a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. With its rocks, woods, lovely lake and bracing air, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. Kodaikanal is situated at an altitude of about 2,133 m high and covers an area of 21.45 Sq km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste. Berijam lake, one among the beautiful natural lakes of India, spreads over an area of 24 hectares of forests. Kodaikanal is one of the beautiful hill station in India, it is unique rows and rows of silky pine trees sloping down to clear, cold streams, spectacular views which suddenly disappear in foamy mist, people bundled up in sweaters and overcoats this is certainly not everyones mental image of India. To be sure there are other hill stations, but most of them have been smothered by urban development. We seek peace and quiet in a hill station, not the noise and fumes of factories. Hopefully the powers-that-be will not allow Kodaikanal to become spoilt. Kodaikanal ,the Switzerland of the East and the Princess of Hill Stations popularly referred as Kodai, nestles at an altitude of 2133 metres, on the southern crest of the Palani hills in the Western Ghats. The road to Kodaikanal winds up through coffee plantations and thick forests giving a perfect introduction of this lovely hill resort. It is the only hill station founded in India by the Americans and is noted for plantains, plums and eucalyptus oil. Kodaikanal: Beautiful landscape, lush green velleys and its cool climate makes Kodaikanal one of the most popular hill stations. Discovered by missionaries in 1840s, this town is spread out around a star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake. Its cool (altitude 2133m), and the lake provides boating and carp fishing. Trout fishing is available in nearby streams, which are stocked and waiting to be unearthed. As a tourist destination Kodaikanal offers you an amazing holiday. The fresh and spectacular scenic beauty of this hill resort defies description. The Hill Resorts in India welcome you to this mesmerizing summer retreat of Kodaikanal literally meaning gift of the forest with soaring hills, lush vegetation, crystal blue lakes and colonial charm - a land to feel free and lively. So plan your visit to this amazing place with Hill Resorts in India, which creates a perfect vacation in one of the most charming hill resorts in India. Arriving in Kodaikanal town, one is enticed by orchards of pear trees with their graceful branches silhouetted in artistic curves against the evening sky like stark Zen etchings. Buildings with gabled roof dot the skyline. Broken fragments of light from the setting sun are caught and kindled in the wind-rippled water appearing like a myriad lamp floating on the lake. Soon, as though on cue, lights start twinkling all over the hillside, and even the stars pick up the message, and heaven and earth are a riot of light, as though beaming messages of goodwill to each other. The place is Kodaikanal, secludedly situated 2100 meters above sea level, in the beautiful Palani Hills. Kodaikanal is 120 Kms from the bustling city of Madurai and at least tens and thousands of Kilo meters from the mundane. Perhaps why those who visited this hill station have come back enchanted and thrilled. The name Kodaikanal means the gift of the forest. Situated in the state of Tamilnadu, among the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal is one of the unexplored destinations of southern India. With its intoxicating air, breathtaking scenery and serenity that you can hardly find in any other hill station, Kodaikanal is an ideal summer resort for the travel buffs of the southern plains. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu - Hill Resorts in India The hill resort of Kodaikanal is jam-packed with beautiful spots of interest. The colonial India finds its fullest expression at the Kodaikanal Club which houses period fireplace, the Leigh Hunt prints, the piano, the library stocked with books by Evelyn Waugh, Anthony Trollope, and the bar with stuffed heads of tigers, bison, deer-horns, and a picture of the Laughing Cavalier by Franz Hals, the restaurant with old English plates, a glowing hearth-fire, and landscape prints. Another example of colonial India is the 114-acres of Golf Links. The tranquil lake in the heart of Kodaikanal is a destination in itself and is a major attraction for all. The lake provides you many activities to indulge boating and angling. The well laid garden of Kodaikanal contain many varieties of watsonias, azaleas, stock, dahlias, fusschias, primulas, asters, many annuals and perennial flowers like azaleas, watsonias, dahlias, stock, primulas, fusschias, asters, etc. The eucalyptus and pine trees are really amazing. You cannot resist your temptation of visiting once again the Orchid House, which has lotus pond and the many exotic varieties of orchids. The unique flowering plant Kurunji(Strobilanthus Kunthanus) that last bloomed in 2006, is natures gift to Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor and is frequented all through the year. Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Palani hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor. With her wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake, Kodaikanal is a charming hill station. The names of the buildings in Kodaikanal are very evocative: Loch End and Mansarovar - these two houses by the lakeside bridge the time span from colonial times to the present. Hillbrook, Furzbank, Wood-cote, Whispering Pines, and Rock Cottage all conjure up the beauty and spirit of their natural ambience. Foreign Visitors About Kodaikanal There is proof of settlement of prehistoric tribes at Kodaikanal by visible artifacts such as dolmens homes of great stone slabs. After the primitive tribes of Paliyans and Pulyans in 14th century, villagers of Palani foot hills fled into Kodaikanal hills, to escape from the oppressive rule in the plains and also from the invasion of Tippu Sultan. The first European to visit Kodaikanal was Lt. B.S. Ward a surveyor in the year 1821. His Head Quarters was Vellagavi village. There were many American missions in South Tamil Nadu. The foreigners could not bear the oppressive heat in Tamilnadu and they faced sickness from epidemic diseases and consequential deaths. They wanted neat and healthy natural surroundings near Madurai to rest and improve their health. They were happy to find from the report of Lt. B.S. Ward about the hills with wonderful climate and easy accessibility from Madurai & Periyakulam. Many English and American missionary people visited Kodaikanal through various routes. Notable among them are J C Wroughton -Sub Collector, C R Cotton Judge and Dr. Weight. Dr.Fane built two houses in 1845 in the lake road. More houses were built by British Govt. The American Missionaries moved in and built a lot of dwellings in the southern side which is still there and now called Sunny Side and Shelton. In the year 1860, the first church was built jointly by the Bishop. American Madurai Mission built the union church in 1895. From year 1860, there was all round improvement due to the visit of several dignitaries. Roman Catholics came, purchased a bungalow for Jesuit fathers, as rest house which is now called La Providence in upper shoal road. Governors of Madras Sir Charles Travelyon and Lord Nappier visited in the years 1860 and 1871. One major JM Partridge of the army introduced Eucalyptus and wattle trees in the year 1867. Bier Leverage, collector of Madurai lived in Pambar house after his retirement. Only through his tireless efforts and initiative the man-made Kodaikanal lake, the foremost attraction of the tourists was formed. He arranged boat rides in the lake. He planned and executed several approach roads to Kodaikanal. He introduced several foreign trees and vegetables such as Pine Forms and Pears. In the year 1872 Lt. Coaker cut a path along the ridge of steep south eastern side which commends a magnificent view of the plains below. The path was named after him as Coakers Walk The first long distance visitor Major Partridge of Bombay army who visited Kodaikanal in 1852, imported Australian Eucalyptus trees to Kodaikanal. In 1853, a group of American and British constructed a Anglican Church of St.Peter. In 1860, Roman Catholics brought Frenchmen, Belgians and Europeans to the hill. In 1852, Father St. Cyr visited Kodaikanal and bought Baynes Bungalow in 1860 and constructed La Salette Catholic Priest Church. In 1860, the then Madras Governor Sir Charles Trevelyan visited Kodaikanal and stayed in Roseneath. In 1871, New Governor, Lord Napier visited his bungalow was named as Napier Villa. In 1879, seventy five Europeans came to Kodaikanal for the season. In 1883 Kodaikanal had 615 permanent residents.Kodaikanal has more sunshine than any other Indian hill station. The town nestles around the man- made Kodaikanal Lake which spreads out in a star Shape over sixty acres. Kodaikanal has thickly wooded slopes, well laid out walking paths through picturesque prospects, tumultuous waterfalls and steep rock outcrops. Just a few minutes walk in any direction from the heart of Kodaikanal town, brings the tourist to spectacular scenery. Kodaikanal is rich in flora and fauna. In 1861 Major Doughlas Hamilton recorded 114 species of birds in Kodaikanal and even discovered two new ones-the Laughing Thrush and the Kodaikanal White-bellied Shortwing. Palani Hills has a unique plant-the Kurinji, which blossoms once in 12 years, when the hill slopes are ablaze of purple. Kodaikanal is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45- Ssq-km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. The pride of Kodaikanal is the Kurinji-flower, which blossoms once in 12 years. The hill- plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste. There are numerous waterfalls in the area such as Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Fairy Falls and Glen Falls, which are popular picnic spots Apart from the 21.5 Sq. kilometer of the Kodaikanal hill-station, there are other places nearby which are worth visiting. Many of these are small villages. One such village is Poombarai. The 40 kilometer drive from Kodaikanal to Poombarai is extremely picturesque. From Poombarai one can walk up to the Kukkal caves, which are actually overhanging slabs of rock. If you are lucky, you may get to see some bison. There is no dearth of accommodation in Kodaikanal and you can choose from a range of five star hotels, resorts, lodges and inns. The climate can be enjoyed throughout the year, though May and June can get really crowded with visitors flocking to take the blessings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Sai Sruthi. Whether you are planning a family holiday retreat, honeymooning with your sweetheart or trekking in the pinewoods, Kodaikanal promises to be rewarding. The towns attractions and beauty can be enjoyed in a week or a weekend and you could even go up in the morning and return by night. Do not leave without sampling some of the sweeter pleasures like the strawberries, plums, pears, cherries, butter- fruit, jamuns, apples, peaches and Malai Pazham, a variety of banana exclusively available in Kodaikanal. Pastry Corner is a nice place for a hot cup of coffee, natural ice creams and delicious cookies and pastries. Mesmerising natural beauty and a host of sights and attractions contribute to Kodaikanals magneticism, making this hill town a hotspot for nature lovers and other vacationer
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 06:46:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015