| Kodaikanal Hills |
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| Kodaikanal is one of the most popular hill resorts in India and a hill station with unique rows and rows of silky pine trees sloping down to clear, cold streams, spectacular views which suddenly disappear in foamy mist. Kodaikanal literally means 'gift of the forest,' in Tamil. |
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| It is a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The plain span 2068 sq.kms, while Kodaikanal Township occupies 21.45 sq.km. With its rocks, woods, lovely lake and bracing air, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste. Kodaikanal referred to as 'The Princess of Hill Stations', is situated amidst the folds of the verdant Palani hills in the Western Ghats. In comparison with other neighboring cities in the state, the town offers an extremely cool weather. The waterfalls and lakes surrounding the town are just the perfect reason to spend a short vacation in the vicinity. The whole scenery is washed spic and span and the area appears fresh and greener. |
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| Developed in the 18th century, the hill station was gradually established by American Madura Mission and British Missionaries who built dwellings, churches, schools and introduced and planted new trees to make Kodai what it is today. Several dignitaries who visited the place also contributed to the all around improvement of the place. Now Kodai is surrounded by thickly wooded slopes, waterfalls and a beautiful man made lake in the centre around which the town is located. The town is not densely populated with only around 30,000 residents. Tamil is the main spoken language but English is also widely understood. |
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| Kodaikanal was established by American Christian missionaries and British bureaucrats in 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. |
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| The unique flowering plant 'Kurunji'(Strobilanthus Kunthanus) that last bloomed in 2004, is nature's gift to Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerizes any visitor and is frequented all through the year. |
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| 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. Berijam Lake, one among the beautiful lakes of South India, spreads over an area of 24 hectares. |
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| The climate of Kodaikanal is very pleasant and cool all round the year. Due to the high altitude the hill station enjoys a temperate subtropical climate. During the winter season, Kodaikanal is very cold. The surface temperature during these months varies between 8 degrees and 17 degrees. During these months the temperature sometimes falls to the freezing point and beyond. The best time to visit Kodaikanal is from April to June and from September to October. The average temperature during these months remains around 20°C to 10°C. |
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| To reach Kodaikanal |
By Air: The nearest airport is Madurai, which is 120 km from Kodaikanal.
By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Palani, which is 80 km from Kodaikanal and Kodai Road Station, which is 64 km away from Kodai.
By Road: Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai (520km), Ooty (264km), Trichy (197km), Coimbatore (175km), Kumili (160km), and Madurai (120km). There are regular bus services from Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore. |
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