The name Kodaikanal means the ‘Gift of the Forest”, among the Palani Hill, Kodaikanal is one of the beautiful hill station in India, situated in the State of Tamil Nadu, it is unique rows and rows of silky pine trees sloping down to clear, cold streams, spectacular views which suddenly disappear in foamy mist, 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.
The scenery, as it unfolds during the trip, is breath taking, awe-inspiring and fantastic which mesmerizes any visitor and is frequented all through the year. 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.
The unique flowering plant ‘Kurunji” (Strobilan Kunthanu) that last bloomed in 2004, is nature’s gift to Kodaikanal, which blooms in every 12 years.
Quite spectacular with forest, plantations, views of mountains & valleys and a large picturesque lake in the centre of it all.
Location : Situated at 2133 meters in the Palani Hills, off-shoot of the Western Ghat Mountain range which runs North-south along the west coast of peninsular India, Kodaikanal is in Tamil Nadu, bordering Kerala.
Area : The Palani Hills with the span of 2068 Sq.Kms, while Kodaikanal township occupies 21.45 Sq.Kms It is however expanding rapidly.
Climate : Never too hot or cold, though night temperatures drop to freezing in January and thin ice is seen on the lake edges. In summer (March to May), the temperature range is 20*C to 11*C and in Winter (Dec-Feb) 17.3*C to 8.3*C. An average of 165 cms of rain falls every year, mostly during the north-east monsoon occurs from June to September.
How to reach Kodaikanal (Links)
Sky link : The nearest airport is at Madurai (120 kms from Kodaikanal).
Rail link : The nearest railway stations are the Kodai Road Railway station (80 Kms) and the Palani Railway Stations (64 kms).
Terrestrial link : Kodaikanal is connected by road from the following cities : Chennai - 520 Kms, Ooty - 264 Kms, Tiruchirappalli – 197 Kms, Coimbatore – 175 Kms,Madurai – 120 Kms.
Bus link : Regular bus services are available fromChennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Dindigul, Erode, Theni, Tiruchirapalli, Ernakulam, Trivandrum and Coimbator.
Auto link : There are no Auto-rickshaws in Kodaikanal.
Population : 1,03,450 (Urban/Rural, Kodaikanal Taluk).
Altitude : 2133 meters above sea level.
Rainfall : 165 cms average.
Temperature : Summer-19.80*C & Winter-17.30*C.
Best Season: April to June and September to October, but can be visited throughout the year.
Cloth : Light woolens in the evening during summer and heavy woolens during winter.
Languages : Tamil & English.
State : Tamil Nadu
District : Dindigul.
ISD Code : +91.
STD Code : 04542.