kodai

Kodaikanal is sometimes referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and is a popular tourist destination. Much of the local economy is Hospitality industry based on national and international tourism. Kodaikanal was established by American missionaries around 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains.The town of Kodaikanal sits astride on the southern summit of the upper Palnis, 2133 metres msl., between the Parappar and Gundar Valleys of the Palni Hills that form the eastward spur of the Western Ghats on the Western side of South India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It has an irregular basin as its heartland at the centre of which lies the lake with a 5 kilometre circumference. High hills that slope down into the villages of Pallangi and Villpatti stand guard on the north of the town. On the east the hill slopes abruptly into the lower Palnis. The precipitous slope facing the Cumbum Valley is on the south and the plateau leading to the body of the Western Ghats is on the west. The exhilarating ambience and the salubrious climate of Kodaikanal attract thousands of tourists from far and wide nowadays. But it was not discovered until the 19th century. It was only in the 1860s that the lake was formed and Kodaikanal began to be recognised as a favourite hill station by the Europeans who came here to escape the sweltering summer of the plains. It was only in the 20th century that elite Indians came to realise the value of this enchanting hill station. The charm of Kodaikanal lies in the vast and placid waters of the Kodaikanal Lake, the meadows and grasslands that cover the slopes of hills, the gigantic trees and the shola forests that flourish in the valleys, the mighty rocks and creeks that rise up from the valleys, the cascading streams and waterfalls and the ubiquitous gardens and flower beds in glorious colours. The synthesis of these factors with the hospitality of the host community is a unique experience that will beckon the visitors again and again. A world famous solar observatory, a distinguished natural history museum, several educational institutions and places of worship all add to the majesty of this misty hill station. Kodaikanal is also most suited for adventure tourism and eco tourism which are presently gaining momentum in this part of the world. Ample infrastructural facilities have been provided for journey to and fro and for trekking along the secluded wilderness all around.
Kodaikanal is a romantic hill station for the newlyweds to go for a honeymoon. An artificial star shaped 45 ha. (60 acres) lake built in 1863 is located close to the centre of town. Next to the lake is Bryant Park, a botanic garden. Rowing boats and pedalos and riding horses can be hired. A five-kilometer path that skirts this lovely lake is a favourite walk.
The Shenbaganur Museum, founded in 1895, is open for the public to view their outstanding collection of more than 300 exotic orchid species and artifacts of the ancient Paliyans tribes people whose descendants still live in these hills.[3] There are several popular hiking and trekking trails in the Palani Hills that originate in Kodaikanal.[4]

Kodaikanal lake
Kodaikanal is near the center of the proposed 736.87 km² Palani Hills National Park. The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is at the highest location near Kodai. A former director John Evershed, discovered the phenomenon of radial motion in sunspots, now known as the Evershed effect. The Kodaikanal Terrestrial Telescope can view the complete surroundings of the hills which covers sothupparai dam, Vaigai Dam, periyakulam, Varaha river etc.
Green Valley View (previous name was changed for better appeal to tourists), Pillar Rocks, Silver Falls, Kodai Television tower and the Guna caves (made popular by the Tamil movie Guna) are popular places among the tourists. The Kurinji Andavar temple is famous for its Kurinji flower which blossoms only once every 12 years. The Plums, Berikke, Kodai milagaay, Red carrot are the most common natural edibles available. Cauliflower, cabbage, chillies and onions are cultivated on the outskirts of Kodaikanal.
There is an excellent bazaar where one can buy woollen clothing, flowers, vegetables, fruit, meats, handicrafts, hot snacks, children toys, medicinal herbs and oils. The cosmopolitan nature of Kodai is evident at the market place where it is not uncommon to see Scandinavian backpackers, retired French tourists and people from other parts of India enjoying fresh pastries served by Tibetan refugees.
Silver cascade, a beautiful water-falls situated en-route to Kodaikanal is a also major tourist attraction.It forms the first picturesque spot for tourists to Kodaikanal.Trekking is also organised by the Government agencies, which leads to many beautiful and undisturbed regions of Kodaikanal.