Kodaikanal is one of the most frequented hill resorts in India. Standing amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is a charming and luring hill station. With its spectacular rocks, tranquil woods, lovely lake and intoxicating air, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists from all over. Kodaikanal is known around the world for its 'MAGIC MUSHROOMS' which have a hallucinogenic substance called psylocibin which produces hallucinogenic effects if consumed!!

Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerizes any visitor. With her wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake, Kodaikanal is a charming hill station.
Situated at an altitude of about 2,133 m from sea level and covering an area of 21.45 sq km, Kodaikanal is a hill town renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste.

Map of  Kodaikanal (click to enlarge)

Places you can see in Kodaikanal

Berijam Lake
Berijam Lake is one of the beautiful picnic spots in Kodai, located 21-km away from the bus stand. This lake supplies drinking water to Periakalam town. The scenery around here is delightful. Originally discovered by the British & Spanish people, this place was a swamp 80-100 years ago. It has been converted to a lake with catchment’s areas around the lake. The lake has very pure water and is the main source of water for a town called Periyakulam, which is situated, in the valley below Kodaikanal. You only get permission to stay in Berijam till the evening, but if you are persuasive enough, you can get permission to stay overnight in Berijam ! There is a dormitory at Berijam, which can serve as a base for trekking. The magic mushrooms grow abundantly in the forest, but there are poisonous mushrooms too.

Kodaikanal Lake
Kodaikanal Lake is a magnificent man-made lake, which spread out in a star shape is set among the greenery. The boat club here offers several pleasure and racing trips. The Kodaikanal Lake covers 24 hectares and is surrounded by a 5 km long road.Built by Sir Vere Henry Levinge (1819-1885), the collector of Madurai, who retired to Kodaikanal in 1863, the boating on the lake and pony rides around it are popular holiday activities.

Silver Cascade
Silver Cascade waterfall is located on the Ghat Road about 8-km from Kodaikanal. The overflow of Kodai Lake comes down here as 180 feet high falls.

Bear Shola Falls
An ideal picnic spot located 1.6-km from the lake, which can be by a picturesque, rugged hill path. Bears once used to drink water above the falls.

Telescope Houses
To enable the visitors to have a panoramic view of the valley and the nearby towns, two telescope houses have been put up at Kodai.

Bryant Park
Bryant Park situated on the eastern side of the lake, is noted for flowers, hybrids and rafts. Varieties of flowers can be seen in a glasshouse. The annual horticultural show is held here in May.

Shenbaganur Museum
Shenbaganur Museum is located about 5-Km from the lake. The Sacred Heart College maintains this museum. One of the best orchidoriums in the country with more than 300 species of orchids and wide-ranging collection of birds are found here.

Boat Club
In 1910, a new boathouse was constructed, but only from May 1929, few tourists were permitted to avail boat ride as temporary members. Later on they were extended to the public and tourists in 1932. Boats like T.T.D.C, Kodai boats, Carlton boats are available for hire.

Pillar Rocks
Within the city limits one can see three boulders standing shoulder - to - shoulder vertically measuring to a height of about 122 metres providing a panoramic view.

Coaker's Walk
Coaker's Walk derives the name from Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodai and it is about a kilometre from the lake, which runs along a steep slope on the southern side of the Kodai. Some of the best views of the plains can be seen from here.

Kurinji Andavar Temple
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Murugan and is about 3.2-km from the lake. In Tamil literature "Kurinji" means "Hilly Region" and "Andavar" means God. From this temple, one can get a view of the northern plains and Palani Hills.

Thekkady
Thekkady is popular as a hill station and a wildlife center. The environs include luxuriant plantations, herds of pachyderm and the pungent scent of spices in the air. The place offers beautiful opportunities for trekking and nature walks. The 120-years-old 'Surki' dam built across Peryiar is a significant tourist attraction.

Perumal Peak
12 km from Kodai, is the highest peak (2400m) in Kodai Hills and is a favorite with trekkers. The route begins at a point called Neutral Saddle in Permal Mallai village.

Kukkai Caves
Kukkai Caves is one of the famous spots and a camping location for trekkers.This caves have remains of the Paliyans, the indigenous inhabitants of these hills, who were known to have dressed in clothes made of leaves.

Fairy Falls
This scenic picnic spot is located 5 Km from Kodaikanal Lake and is natural basin where picnickers can bathe.

Events and Festivals of Kodaikanal

Festivals

THE SUMMER FESTIVAL IN KODAIKANAL
A summer festival is held every year in May in which boat races, flower and fruit shows are specially organized to add to the splendor. Cultural programs are also conducted during the festival.

Mother Salette Festival
Kodaikanal, a Hill station situated in Southern India, is known for its beautiful and ancient churches. Its rich Christian culture and tradition, still stands apart. One of the ancient churches is the "Mother Salette" church, which is 133 years old. Every year on the 14th and 15th of august, a unique carnival takes place at this church. This brings about the conclusion to a Nine-day festival. This festival attracts a congregation of people from all over south India, irrespective of religion, creed or faith. The festival is marked by special services and a special procession.

Reaching Kodaikanal

Air
The nearest airport is at Madurai (120 km from Kodaikanal).

Rail
The nearest railway stations are the Kodai Road Railway Station (80-km) and the Palani Railway Station (64-km).

Road
Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai (520-km), Ooty (264-km), Trichy (197-km), Coimbatore (175-km), Kumili (160-km), and Madurai(120-km). Regular bus services are available from Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore. Additional buses ply during the season. Taxis and vans are available for local transportation. There are no auto-rickshaws in Kodaikanal.

Hotels
Kodaikanal offers good accommodation facilities to the tourists. The TTDC-run Hotel Tamilnadu on Fern Hill Road and Carlton Hotel, near the Lake Road, are two top-end hotels. There are a lot of other hotels where comfortable accommodation is provided to tourists.

Weather: Summer - Max 19.8ºC, Min 11.3 ºC Winter- Max17.3ºC, Min8.3ºC

Best Time to Visit: Between April to June and from September to October.

Languages Spoken: Tamil and English

STD Code: 04542