Play with Clouds in Kodaikanal - A Beautiful Hill-station

Play with Clouds in Kodaikanal - A Beautiful Hill-station

Kodaikanal means ‘Gift of the Forest’. This scenic hill station offers a romantic honeymoon to newly-weds, a chance to trek or hike amidst nature, or just a quiet, relaxing holiday.  Kodaikanal was the summer retreat of Madras Presidency during the British era. Kodaikanal, which is often referred to as the ‘Princess of Hill stations’, is a jewel located in the lap of the Western Ghats.  

Places you cannot miss

There are certain places you cannot miss on your trip to Kodaikanal. Let’s have a look,

Kodaikanal Lake

The Kodaikanal Lake which is the star attraction of this small hill station is a manmade lake that looks like a star. The lake was created by Sir Vere Henry Levinge in the year 1863. It is enriched with water flowing from Palani hills. Outflow from this lake has created a beautiful waterfall called Silver Cascade. Visitors can take a boat ride to enjoy the surrounding beauty of the lake.

Green Valley View

Formally known as Suicide point, the view from Green Valley offers a panoramic view of surrounding mountains and peaks. ‘Pillar Rocks’, an amazing natural formation, is a reason to visit this place.

Kurinji Andavar Temple

The Kurinji Andavar Temple is a great example of a typical South Indian temple structure. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, who is also known as Kartikeya.

La Saleth (sallette) Church

This is a 150 year old heritage Church built as a thanksgiving offering in 1866 and is located near Coaker’s walk. The annual feast of the Church takes place on the 14^th and 15^th of August, which attracts worshippers from all over South India, irrespective of caste or creed.

Berijam Lake

Berijam Lake is located in the upper area of Palani hills, a little away from Kodaikanal. It is a beautiful place to enjoy the magnificence of nature. You can expect a large variety of flora and fauna in and around the lake. The lake is surrounded by the beautiful Shola forest. Get permission from the forest department and explore the forest along with the medicinal forest and the fire tower. Visiting time: 9:30 to 3: pm only

Shenbaganur Museum

It is located 5 Kms from the lake. It is also known as the Flora and Fauna Museum thanks to the large variety to be found here. The best Orchiadrium of the country is located here. Visiting hours are from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Solar Physical Observatory

It is located at the highest point of Kodaikanal around 3 Kms away. The observatory is open to public from 10:00 to 12:00 hrs and 14:00 to 16:00 hrs from 1^st April to June 15^th. During the rest of the year it is open only on Fridays between 10:00 and 12:00 hrs.

Things to do

Full of adventures and serene beauty, Kodaikanal is complimented with the title, ‘The South's very own Alps’.

Let’s flip through some of the experiences and adventures which are waiting for you in this town,

Explore beautiful waterfalls

In the various parts of this hill station, beautiful waterfalls make this place even more delightful. While you are here, visit some of the scenic waterfalls such as Silver Cascade, Bear Shola Falls, Glen Falls, Fairy Falls etc.

The Nature Walks

Take a walk through Coaker’s Walk, a charming walkway. This walkway is named after Lt. Coaker, who had created the map of this hill station. Start your walk early in the morning, walk up the forest till the telescope house and return before dusk to avoid mist. 

Trekking

Trekking through the misty forests and the clouds at Kodaikanal is a unique experience. Take an 8 km Trek to Dolphin Nose, a cloud-covered hill. You can also trek to the challenging Perumal peak, which rises above the clouds. Break the silence of the hills by shouting your name and enjoy the sound of the echo.  

Some Other Reasons to visit Kodaikanal

Let’s find out some of the other adventures to pamper your taste buds and to enrich your sense of smell,

•    Try the seafood version of our favorite Biriyani in the Hilltop restaurant.

•    If you are a fan of Tibetian foods, pay a visit to the Royal Tibet.

•    For a mid-time snack, you can try the pocket-friendly restaurant Tava.

•    Vegetarians can try Hotel Astoria for authentic vegetarian food.

Information you might need for your visit:

ü  The best time to visit Kodaikanal is from April – June & September-October. One can visit this hill station through the year too. Light Wollens in the evening during summer and heavy wollens during winter are suitable wear over here.

ü  Kodaikanal is well-connected with the metro cities like Chennai and Bangalore by road. The nearest Airports to this town are Trichy and Madurai. The nearest rail station is Kodai Road.

ü  There are hotels and resorts to suit different budgets. For an unusual stay, try the home stays or guest houses. This will give you an entirely different experience spiced with a personal touch of the hosts.

Lastly, on your visit, do keep your eyes open for the very rare grizzled giant squirrels which can only be found here. Celebrate your visit to Kodaikanal, so that you can comment like this avid traveler from Bareilly,  

‘Arranged amidst the folds of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal is a champion amongst the most understood incline stations of Tamil Nadu’.

To Reinvent and Rejuvenate yourself try-out a less-frequented destination - Wayanad

To Reinvent and Rejuvenate yourself try-out a less-frequented destination - Wayanad

Kerala is a state that abounds in nature, providing travellers many opportunities to discover the secrets of nature. Kerala truly defines the quote,

‘An adventure is the best way to learn about life.’

Along with the well-known destinations of Kerala, like Cochin, Alleppey and Munnar, some off-beat destinations like Varkala and Wayanad are also gaining popularity. The main advantages of these destinations are their rich natural beauty, untouched and undiscovered by most tourists.

Wayanad, is a district of Kerala, located in the North-East part of the state. The untamed and unspoiled beauty of this hill area will give one a refreshing break and an unforgettable experience. Wayanad Tourism describes the district as a ‘green paradise’ that lies in between the mountains of the Western Ghats. It is called a ‘green paradise’ because it forms the border of the greener portion of Kerala.

What to expect in Wayanad?

Apart from the obvious mountains and their lush greenery, this quaint hill station also boosts of ancient ruins and mystic caves along with adventurous jungle trails.

Let’s explore the beautiful destination of Wayanad:

Chembra Peak

The Chembra Peak is a perfect place for adventure lovers. Although a trek to this peak is risky yet it is well worth the risk just to view the mind-blowing view from here. The peak is located close to the town of Meppady, located in the Southern part of the district. Trekkers can camp on the top of the hill, as the trek to the peak of Chembra generally takes a full day.

Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary

Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary is the biggest sanctuary for wildlife in the Malabar region. Here, you can find animals like the Elephant, bison, bear, spotted deer, tiger, etc. You can take a jungle safari or an Elephant ride to this Wildlife Sanctuary.

Pookot Lake

Surrounded by beautiful mountains and evergreen forests, Pookot Lake is created with natural water. You can enjoy a refreshing boat ride on the lake or buy artefacts from nearby shops. 

Soochippara Waterfalls

The unspoiled beauty of Soochippara waterfalls is yet to be discovered by tourists. Swimming, boating or rafting can be done on the lake below the waterfall. From the top point of these falls, one can get an excellent view of the surrounding hills of the Western Ghats.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.  This sanctuary is considered to be a World Heritage Site because of its immense bio-diversity.

Interesting things to do in Wayanad

•    A visit Edakkal caves located on Ambukutty Mala can be quite exciting. According to history, these caves had been created by the arrows of Shri Ram’s sons, Luv and Kush. Here one can see prehistoric Stone Age paintings which have great archaeological significance. Visiting time here is from 9.30 to 4.30 and an entry fee has to be paid.

•    Wayanad is one of the best places for trekking. There are several trekking routes that one can take to enjoy tea gardens and Cardamom groves. The place has some awesome natural beauty. Along with the popular Chembra Peak, one can also trek to the Valley of Clouds, Banasura Hill or the Brahmagiri peak.

•    One can visit the beautiful Thrissillery Shiva temple located on the bank of Papanasini River. The serene beauty of this temple is perfect to enjoy some peace and tranquillity.

Camp in between the amazing beauty spots of Wayanad

From camping on the peak of Chembra to staying in some of the amazing parts of Wayanad can be quite stimulating. Each option has its own unique beauty. Cosy home stays of this district provide one with a wonderful opportunity of staying in the lap of nature without compromising on comfort.

Reaching Wayanad

By Train: Calicut, which is 65 km. from Wayanad, is the nearest railway station.

By Plane: Calicut also has an International Airport.

By Road: One can drive down to Wayanad from Bangalore via NH766 and NH275, a distance of around 275 km. A road trip, in one’s own vehicle, can be an amazing experience.

Other places nearby worth a visit are Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Mysore, Ooty and so on.

So get ready to take a vacation to Wayanad, often described as,

‘… a picturesque hill station in Kerala. The dewy land gets its name from two local words, ‘Vayal' meaning ‘paddy field’ and 'Naad' meaning ‘land’ combining to form ‘Wayanad’ or 'The Land of Paddy Fields’.