A gift of the forests of Kodaikanal!
Experience true happiness as you loosen yourself in the arms of the Princess of Hill Stations
Have you ever thought what it would be like to be enveloped with verdant forests, gushing waters, and mighty mountains, away from the stress and strain of everyday life, in experiencing Nirvana in the lap of nature? Well, if you haven’t, then do think twice.
Trekkers will love the winters for the Kodaikanal weather offers some amazing winter trekking routes and views for the traveller. With the cold weather and warm sunshine, walking around the hill town with its gardens and quaint shops, visiting museums and heritage sites is a great experience. But, it is the hills that capture the heart and mind of the visitor as the mist wraps around the trees and thick foliage and you breathe in the fresh air.
A winter picnic is a definite try and the best place to pick one is at the Pillar Rocks. The view from the three vertical boulders at Pillar Rocks is heart-stopping. Green Valley View and the Silent Valley are brilliantly scenic and you can capture some wonderful Instagram pictures.
Another interesting spot is the Devil’s Kitchen located just 1 km away from the Pillar Rocks. The gorge is deep and filled with thick forests, waterfalls and when white clouds descend into its hollows, the scene is mesmerising.
This winter season take time out to explore the quaint hill station of Kodaikanal and be lost in its olde- world charm.
Kodaikanal Lake
Created in 1863 by Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, the then Collector of Madurai, who retired and settled in Kodaikanal, the 24-hectare Kodaikanal Lake is the focal point of the town. His efforts paved the way for the formation of a Boat Club, in 1890, by when boating had already become a pleasurable pastime for locals and tourists alike.
You can enjoy the views around this 154-year-old lake by hiring rowboats or pedal boats. The entire lake is skirted by the surrounding virgin forests of the Palani hills. You can also buy some local spices, homemade chocolates, and eucalyptus oil from the shops that line periphery of the lake.
Winters get surreal on this lake, as you meander on the fog-covered waters rowing straight into the mist. If you wander along the lake’s edge, you’re sure to discover more and more to satiate your inner traveller.
Dolphin’s Nose
Dolphin Nose is an enormous rock formation where the tip of the peak resembles a dolphin’s nose, from where it gets this name. It’s a flat rock projecting over a breath-taking 6,600 ft deep cliff in an undisturbed area 1km down a very steep rocky trail.
One of the most scenic places to see in Kodaikanal, the views from Dolphin nose are breathtaking with amazing high mountains covered in trees. The journey towards this spot is also amazing because of the sharp hairpin bends and tea plantations on both sides. The weather remains a bit foggy as you proceed onwards. It’s a perfect spot to connect with nature and click selfies.
Bryant Park
Located close to Kodaikanal Lake, this is one of most beautiful parks in town, opened in 1908 by HD Bryant, a forest officer from Madurai, and showcases a variety of colourful blossoms in combination of fragrances.
The park is a rainbow of colours reflecting from stunning flowers during the blooming season. The park houses 325 species of trees, shrubs and cactuses, and a large section is dedicated to nearly 740 varieties of roses. It’s an ideal place to enjoy leisure walks and relax amidst swathes of greenery. This kind of a place can instantly bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Lake View Point
Head to Lake View Point, after you’re done relaxing at Bryant Park, for a good 45-minute walk and from here you can observe the blueness of the Kodai Lake and the enveloping beauty all around you. The sunset view from here is like a cherry on top, as the setting sun spreads its golden hues on the green mountains, making the scenery even livelier with colours.
Coaker’s Walk
Constructed by Lt. Coaker in 1872, Coaker’s Walk is a 1 km-long paved pedestrian path offering scintillating views from all four corners. This watchpoint is situated at a height of 2000ft. from where you get spectacular views of clouds descending on lush green mountains, verdant misty valleys, and serene waters of the lake below.
On several occasions, you can also get a glimpse of a rainbow cutting across the clouds. Though on a clear sunny day, you can see Dolphin’s Nose in the south, Pambar River valley in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai.
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