The Kodaikanal Hill station is situated in Dindigul District in Tamil Nadu. This beautiful Hill station also known as the Kodai,is at a distance of 95 from the Dindigul. Then Chennai is at a distance of 528Km from this Hill station.
The hills of the Kodaikanal are also known as the Princes of Hill stations, is 7200 feet high from the sea level. These hills are located in the Palani Hills in the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.
History
In 1845, the Kodaikanal was initiated as the resort from the high temperature. This is one of the most famous tourist place and the holiday rest place on the Hills in South India. This place with the cool and the foggy climate, the woody forests of the Kodaikanal and its surroundings entertain the visitors throughout the year.
Important things to see
The main things one must watch in the Kodaikanal are the Coaker’s Walk, Bryant Park, Green Valley view, Subramanya Temple, Fairy falls and the Shenbaganur museum of natural history. Then the other places Pine forest, Kodaikanal lake, Pillar rocks, Poombarai village view, Kurinji andavar Temple, Silent Valley view, Vattakanal falls and the Guna caves.
Climate
In the summer season, from the March month to May month the temperature is 21ºC to 37ºC, which is the best time to visit the Kodaikanal. During this time, the climate is chill and adorable to hide from the heat, so that the visitors enjoy the beauty of this place.
During the monsoon season, from the June month to August month, this region gets a moderate rainfall which sheds the rain water on the fauna in this place. From the November month to February month, the Temperature is 9ºC to 16ºC, denoting the Winter season. This time is suitable to go for trekking in this place.
Why name Kodaikanal?
There are many explanations found for this name. The Kodaikanal is the combination of two words “Kodai” and “Kanal”. In the Tamil language, “Kodai” means summer and the kanal means “to see”. Thus combining both these words, we get the meaning the “to see in summer”. Since this is the place to see in summer (due to the pleasant climate), this was named as “Kodaikanal”.
From other explanation, the Tamil word Kodi means creeper or the vine. On pronouncing the word “Kodi” with “o”, this word became Kodai. This place had been a forest containing the Kodi(creepers or vines), which attracts the people to view, so this place was known as “Kodaikanal”. This meaning which was given in 1885, is accepted till now.
Mythological Story
As per another story, the Valli is another word for creepers in the Tamil language. Many years ago, the chief of a mountain tribe (called Veddas) along with his wife, who lived on this Hill, prayed to the God of Mountain for a child. As the result of their prayer, they found a baby amidst the forest of this Hill, while he went for hunting. As they found the child from the creepers, they named her Valli. Valli grew up as the Princess of Kurinji tribe (Veddas tribe) and the Lord Murugan married her. As per the Tamil literature, the Kodaikanal was related to this story that took place at the Hills.
Best time for visit
From the March month to June month, the climate is so pleasant for the visitors since the temperature is low here when compared to other places. This time is also the holiday time for the children to participate in the tours.
Transport facilities
To visit this site, the direct buses are available to Kodaikanal from the Palani, Dindigul, Coimbatore, Ooty and Madurai. There are buses from the Aarappalayam Bus Stop to Kodaikanal. If you wish to travel by the train, then trains are available regularly from the Madurai and the Trichy. You can also travel by train to Kodaikanal from the Coimbatore. The nearest Airport is the Madurai Airport at a distance of 120Km from Kodaikanal. From there you must pick a bus to reach this site. Else you reach Trichy Airport which is at a distance of 150Km from Kodaikanal.
Location: Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.
Opening timings: 6.00 A.M to 5.00 P.M
(Open in all the days)
Best time for visit: March to May.
Total area – The total area covered by the Kodaikanal Hill station is 21.45Km2.