Kodaikanal, in the state of Tamil Nadu, is one of India's most popular honeymoon places. The lakeside resort city of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has a beautiful environment, mist-covered manicured rocks, and a waterfall that combine to create the ideal setting for a romantic view. Kodaikanal means 'the gift of the forests.'
Situated in the rugged slopes of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal stands at an altitude of 7250 ft above sea level, and once you explore this hill station, you will realize that every bit of what you dreamed is true. Kodaikanal is a place where you can relax from the stresses of everyday city life, and this hill station lets you sit back and interact with nature as you head out on bike or hiking trails, or take a walk through the vast forests covering the city.
1. Green Valley
Previously identified as the Suicide Point, the Green Valley View provides a spectacular view of the plains, deep valleys, and hills. The fascinating view of the Vaigai Dam is an amazing experience. It used to be regarded as a suicide point because of the deadly valley that is thick and deep; more than 5100 ft down.
Situated at a distance of 6 km from Kodaikanal Lake, the Green Valley View not only provides a spectacular view but is also filled by a number of monkeys. On the way to the point, there are a variety of shops selling handmade chocolates, ornaments, and a wide selection of flowers.
The great time to visit the Valley View is between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. as the valley is obscured with fog as the day progresses, making it impossible to get a full vision.
2. Kodai Lake
Kodaikanal Lake is a man-made lake in Kodaikanal Region, also known as Kodai Lake. Vera Levinge was the man responsible for the ingenuity and wealth of this lake in the town of Kodaikanal. This lake was built by the British and early missionaries of the USASA.
The lake is star-shaped, centrally situated in Kodaikanal, covered by the lush green Palani Hills Range, the main reservoir for the lake. The lake is located at an altitude of 2290m above sea level and has an average depth of 3.5 km. The lake is 4 km away from the Kodai Bus stand.
Nowadays a huge number of visitors, including youngsters, walk around, sail, ride horses and ponies and cycles and enjoy the lake. Visitors can also go fishing, but only after receiving permission from the Fisheries Inspector.
3. Bear Shola Falls
Stationed just 3 km from Kodaikanal Lake, Bear Shola Falls is a famous tourist destination in the area. This waterfall is a seasonal attraction that comes to life to its fullest during the monsoons, when the water flows down from the top of a hill, winding its way through the greenery of the area. A curious legend behind the unusual name of this location is that it was the favorite location of a bear that used to drink water in this water body, giving it the name Bear Shola Falls. The quiet and relaxing environment of this destination is a real sanctuary for those who want to escape from concrete forest parks.
If you want to go to a location that is more reserved and private and is far closer to nature than a forest of concrete buildings, then you can go to Bear Shola Falls. Wrapped with thick trees and birds chirping, the Bear Shola Falls is a little paradise.
The shimmering waters of Bear Shola Falls are most famous for it's quiet scenery, where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon after a walk to the foundation. You can also sit back and watch the regional birds frolic about in all their glory, and if you've a handy camera, go ahead and click on a few videos, too.
4. Pillar Rocks
Located in Kodaikanal, the 'Princess of Hill Station,' the Pillar Rocks have become a nice picnic spot. Representing a beautiful mini-garden, the place is called as it has three vertically placed boulders reaching up to a height of 410 ft. The aura here is full of passion and is the confirmation of a great love tale. The 'white cross' that once resided on these rocks reflected David Gell's excellent homage to love. The sight of the rocks is not something that needs to be overlooked. They pose for the tourists visiting Kodaikanal as an unseen miracle.
The pillars are popular for offering a bird's eye panoramic view of the city. The chambers between the two huge rocks are called the Devil's Kitchen. You can find rocks covered with mist and clouds sometimes, but when the paths become open, nothing beautiful can ever be seen. Jumping straight away from the hills that surround them, the stones of the pillar are magnificent.
Summer months (April-June) is considered the best time to reach the Pillar Rocks. It gets more slippery during the monsoons, so it gets risky. It's just 8km from the bus stand.
5. Thalaiyar Falls
Thalaiyar Falls, also known as Rat Tail Falls, is situated on the lush green slopes of Palani Hill in Kodaikanal. It is the highest waterfall in Tamil Nadu with a height of around 300 m, the 6th highest waterfall in India, and the 268th highest in the world. There is a viewing tower in the park at the Dum Dum Rock, from where visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the Falls and the Manjalar Dam.
At the top of the drop, at the very edge of the cliff, there is a low condensed wall on either side, easing the flow of water into the form of a rat tail. Visitors will walk along the wall to get to the middle of the drop. Right under one of the walls is a huge flat rock, about 5 ft across. If visitors get to the edge of this stone, you can see a small river flowing through the forest at the edge. On the foot, visitors will enjoy the calm of the quiet waterfall.
Best Time to Visit
The best way to experience Kodaikanal is from Oct to Jun, but the weather is still a little chilly during December and January. Ideal for holidays in any season, Kodaikanal is the most colorful in summer and the most picturesque in monsoons.
How to Reach
Visitors can catch a flight to Trichy or Madurai, 160 km from Kodaikanal and 125 km from Kodaikanal. One can also board a train that's going to stop at Kodai Lane. From Kodairoad station, you just have to travel by road. From the town of Dindigul, Kodaikanal is located approximately 92 km away and there are a lot of busses coming from different parts of the state.
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