Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu is one of the magnificent hill stations in the whole continent of India. Rows of silky-smooth pine trees, which slope down to crystal clear streamlets is fantastic scenery that is gifted to the tourists and nature lovers. In nutshell if any one wants to seek solace in the midst of nature`s bounty, Kodiakanal is an ideal locale for them. Till date it has retained its beauty intact from the influence of hustles and bustles of modern day city life. Truly it is the princess of all the hill stations of the country.

Strategically, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu is placed in a long basin with approximate height of nearly 2,195 m or 7,202 ft. Basin is on the southern edge of the Palani Hills` central part in the Western Ghats. It is positioned between `latitude 10°7` N - 10°20` N and longitude 77°16` E - 77°45` E`. Climatic condition is at par with high altitudinal location. The people of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu witness temperate subtropical climate. Its surface temperature ranges from temperate to cold. Summers are mild with temperature ranging from `11 - 20°C (52 - 68°F)` . Winter days are chilly and freezing which varies from ` 8 - 17°C(46 - 63°F)`. Fog is a common feature. In the month of January, at the time of night the mercury level even drops to that of the freezing point. Thin flakes of ice are found on the edges of lakes in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. It covers a total area of nearly 21.45-sq-km.

Annul rainfall has been measured to be 1650 mm. Rainfall occurs mainly at a time of North East monsoon, better known as retreating monsoon. Time period is between June - September. During this time cold wind sweeps down from the Himalayas and Indo-Gangetic Plain and move towards the huge areas of the Indian Ocean, south of the Deccan peninsula. If any one wants to explore the beauty of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, months like April to June and also September to October are the suitable time.

As far as the demography of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu is concerned; it helps one to know the place in much better way. In this regard due mentioning may be made of the census report that has been issued forth in the year2001. As per this report, the total population of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu has showed a counting of 32,931 on 21.45 sq. km. In Kodaikanal, children who fall into the age group of less than six years of age constitute 11 % of the total population.

Literacy rate also acts as vital information. According to this report, average literacy rate of Kodaikanal has been enumerated to be 78 %, which is even higher than 59.5%, India`s average literacy rate. To be specific male literacy constitutes 82 %. Also female literacy rate also is no less insignificant thereby constituting 73 %.

Few lines about the history of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu are identified. American missionaries had laid its foundation near about 1845. Those who want to escape from high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains treated it as a safe haven.

Places of interests of Kodaikanal , Tamil Nadu
The ennobled history of Kodaikanal, its cultural ebullience and tradition have invoked the tourists who pay visit to this place again and again. Also there are enough tourist spots for the amusement of tourists and visitors. These are built in and around this place. Important places of interests of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu are enlisted in the following:

Berijam Lake is an interesting place of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. This has developed as a tourist spot, which stretches to a distance of twenty-one kms from the bus stand. This lake provides drinking water to Periakulam town. The scenic beauty also is quite appealing.

Bryant Park This park is located on the eastern side of the lake. It is renowned for floral species, hybrids and rafts. There are wide ranging flowers, which are found in a glass house. Every year during the month of May annual horticultural show is organized in great enthusiasm.

Shenbaganur Museum : The museum is located almost 5.5 Kms from the lake. It is a spectacular museum, which preserves all species of flower, plants and animals. The Sacred Heart College looks after its maintenance. Experts say it is one of most excellent orchidoriums in whole of Indian country. Over three species of orchids and also varieties of birds are located in the museum.

Coaker`s Walk is another tourist locale in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. It has a location of nearly 1 km from the lake. It got its name from Lt. Coaker. He was the person responsible for preparing the map of Kodai. It has its location on Kodai`s southern part atop a sharp slope. From there one can easily get a panoramic view of the plains.

Kodaikanal Lake is another tourist attraction in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. It was artificially built. This spectacular lake stretches to a distance of more than 60 acres and is in the midst of lush green foliage. Boat club is formed here so that the tourists can get the joy of boating. They can even go for jolly racing trips.

Boat Club is a landmark. One can get the boating facilities, which are provided to the nature lovers and tourers. Boats like Kodai boats, T.T.D.C, Carlton boats also can be obtained for hiring.

Pillar Rocks has drawn the admiration of nature lovers and tourists. It consists of 3 boulders, which stand side by side. It rises to as high as almost 122 meters and offers a picturesque view to its tourists.

Kurinji Andavar Temple is a landmark. Its principal deity is Lord Murugan. Frm the lake one can reach this temple, which lies at a distance of nearly 3.2 Kms from the lake. The word has an etymological significance. In the Tamil literature, "Kurinji" signifies "Hilly Region" . "Andavar" stands for God. From this temple, one can also catch panoramic view of the plains of north and also Palani Hills.

Another interesting place is Silver Cascade. It is an example of waterfall which lies on the Ghat Road. It lies at a distance of near about eight Kms from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. The overflow of Kodai Lake comes down here as 180 feet high falls. Special attraction is beautiful and also rare floral specie called `Kurunji`. It blooms one in every twelve years.

Bear Shola Falls is a place of interest in Kodaikanal , Tamil Nadu. Lying almost 1.6 Kms from the lake, the place is ideal for picnicking and holidaying. It is thought that once bears drank water from this fall.

Telescope Houses has enhanced the attraction of tourists towards this hill station of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. In order to provide the facility of getting glimpse of the picturesque locales 2 telescopic houses are built.

Dolmen Circle is a site throng with stone structures like dolmen, which is a prehistoric megalithic tomb having two large upright stones and also a capstone. It is located on the Ghat road, which is not far off from Periakulam. It is just 1-2 kms past the village of Pannaikadu village and is on the uppermost point before one descends to Pattiveerampatti.

The Observatory is an interesting place to visit. It started its journey as early as 1898 and is considered to be one of the ancient most observatories in the entire world.

It is a well-resourced, industrious laboratory. Its contribution in the field of research is quite significant. In the year 1909 its director Evershed exposed the occurrence of radial motion in sunspots. This became popular as the Evershed Effect. On Friday mornings the Observatory is open for public viewing.

The Apple Research Station is a wonderful locale, which is positioned on Fairy Falls Road. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore maintained it. New varieties of fruits and vegetables are studied here.

Mannavanur Sheep Station: It is another place of interest, which is widely visited by a large number of tourists and visitors. It started functioning in the late 1960s and works under the famous organization of Indian Council for Agricultural Research in Delhi. It has got a wonderful campus which stretches upto one thousand three hundred and forty acres of undulating grasslands. Plantations like eucalyptus, wattles etc have grown in the region. Here eminent scientists work on the developmental programmes for the whole of South Indian provinces. Wide varieties of animals like sheep and rabbits are bred here for the supply of wool and meat. Names of species of these two animals are angora, chinchilla, white giant etc. Other inhabitants of the place include gaur, blobbed deer, wild dogs, and sambar. One also can reach there quite easily. From Kodaikanal it takes nearly an hour of driving. Aquatic creatures like carps also thrive in the tiny lake. If a small group of pupil wants to organize camp it can be organized by seeking permission from the officer-in-charge.

Bryant and Chettiar Parks are tourists` attractions. Myriads of tourists from Kodaikanal pay visit to these places with lots of enthusiasm and vigor. Byrant Park has got its name from the Forest officer who planned out its design and put it down in the year 1980. It has its location on the lake. It has a plethora of wide-ranging varieties of flora, ferns and other plants. One also can buy unique types of plants from here. Every year in the month of May flower and vegetable shows are organized. Large quantities of vegetables like cabbages, carrots and potatoes are displayed. Competitions are organized in the venue and special prizes are given to the winning products. Due to its favorable strategic location it has become a favorite spot for the tourists and visitors. People use to visit the park especially during weekends and also during the best possible season.

Chettiar Park, another tourist spot, is en route to the Kurinji Temple. Its ambience is calm and serene.

Kodaikanal Golf Club is a landmark. It began functioning in the year 1895 by a handful of devoted golfers. In the beginning one find only nine holes and putting surfaces were brown. In the 50s the number exceeded to eighteen holes. Again in the year 1986, putting surfaces were again laid with greens. This beautiful golf course lies on luxuriant green slopes and hollows. It rises as high as 7000 feet above the sea level..

How to reach Kodaikanal ,Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal is a wonderful hill station in the state of TamilNadu. For providing good transportation to the people of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu its network of communication is quite an improved one. This has made it possible for all tourists to reach there at minimum of time. Even tourists from far off places visit the place in large numbers.

Closest airport is at Madurai, which lies to a distance of nearly one hundred and twenty kms from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.

Railways also form an integral part of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Railway station at Palani lies close by. In fact it is almost eighty kms from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Another station, namely Kodai Road Station lies almost sixty-four kms away from Kodai.

How to reach Kodaikanal by Road: Kodaikanal is well linked vis road ways also . Places like Ooty (264km), Chennai (520km), Coimbatore (175km), Trichy (197km), Kumili (160km), Coimbatore (175km), Kumili (160km), and Madurai (120km) establish connectivity with Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. For Kodaikanal one also can avail regular bus services from places like Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore. Vehicles like taxis and also luxury buses are obtainable for moving locally. Interestingly one cannot get any auto-rickshaw in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.

Accommodations in Kodaikanal , Tamil Nadu
The beautiful hill station of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu is thronged with numerous hotels and lodges, which offer excellent amenities to their lodgers. In other words the stay of tourers in Kodaikal, Tamil Nadu become even more exciting due to good accommodative facilities. Accommodation in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu varies from lavish hotels to those hotels of mediocre costing charges.

Some of the significant hotels of Kodaikanal , Tamil Nadu are as follows:
The Carlton, Kodaikanal
Hotel Kodai International, Kodaikanal
Kodai Resort, Kodaikanal
Hotel Villa Retreat, Kodaikanal
Kodai Lakeview, Kodaikanal
Hotel Mount View , Kodaikanal
Hill Country Resort, Kodaikanal
Goldan Parks Inn , Kodaikanal
Goldan Parks Inn
Anna Salai, Near 7 Road JN.
Kodaikanal-India.
Kodai Valleyview, Kodaikanal
44, Gymkhana Road, LakeView
Kodaikanal - 642101. Tamil Nadu. INDIA
Hotel Mount View
Laws Ghat Road, Kodaikanal