Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is one of the most popular & charming hill stations in India due to its wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake. The unique flowering plant 'Kurunji'(Strobilanthus Kunthanus) that last bloom in 1992, is the nature's gift to Kodaikanal. The slopes of the hill are covered by the purple carpet during it's season.

History
Kodai is the only hill-station in India which was set-up by the Americans, though the Britishers soon joined. American missionaries established a school for European children here in the mid-1840s, the legacy of which is the Kodaikanal International School which is one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

Location
Kodai or Kodaikanal is on the southern crest of the Palani hills, about 120 km from Madurai, at an altitude of 2100 mt. It is an idyllic getaway for regular tourists, trekker and honeymooners. Blessed with nature's breath-taking beauty, the star-shaped lake dominates this sleepy hill-station.

The Seasons
Kodaikanal is neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter. Kodai get some rain almost every month,the months January and February. The temperatures in summer range from a maximum of 20° C to a minimum of 11° C, and in winter from 17° C to 8° C. Annual rainfall in the region is around 165 cms.

Shopping
The famous places to shop in Kodaikanal are the Khadi Emporium, Handloom Co-operative Stores and Travancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium, Kurinji Mini Supermarket, Spencer and Company.

Prime Attractions of Kodaikanal
Berijam Lake
Berijam Lake located at a distance of 21-km from Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu is one among the beautiful lakes of South India. Spread over an area of 24 hectares, the lake is star shaped and is known for its pure water.

Kodaikanal Trekking
Head for Kodaikanal in the Palani Hills for small-time trekking. You can take short treks and hikes to tourist spots close by as well to local viewpoints. Overnight treks are also possible here where one can spend a night at a local village.

Fairs & Festivals
There are several beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. The summer festival is held in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud. Cultural programs, adventure sports, boat races, flower and fruit shows add to the splendor of the festival.

Entertainment
The Golf Club is located 5-km from the Kodaikanal Lake. Boating and Angling facilities are available at the Kodaikanal Lake. Picturesque trek routes are available in and around Kodaikanal.

Kodai Club
You must experience the colonial India at the Kodai Club. The lounge with its period fireplace, the piano, the Leigh Hunt prints, the library stocked with books by Evelyn Waugh, Anthony Trollope, and the bar with stuffed heads of bison, tigers, deer-horns, and a picture of the Laughing Cavalier by Franz Hals, the restaurant with old English plates, a glowing hearth-fire, and landscape prints will remind you of the British Raj.