Geotourism around ‘Princess of Hills’- The Kodaikanal India

Kodaikanal hill station

The Kodaikanal hill station is situated at 2133 m. in the Dindigul district of the state of Tamilnadu India, amidst the rolling slopes of Palani Hills. Also known as the “Princess of hill stations” and “Switzerland of the East”, Kodaikanal is one of the most visited places in Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains area. It is home to lush green forests, valleys, beautiful lakes, high waterfalls, granite cliffs, serene views, magic mushroom sand eucalyptus trees, and many more. The name ‘Kodaikanal’ in Tamil translates to “Gift of the Forest” and really the place is nothing less than a paradise on Earth.

Geology around Kodaikanal hill

Charnockite Group

The Charnockite Group comprises pyroxene granulite and Charnockite. The pyroxene granulite is dark grey, medium-grained granulitic rock with a typical salt and pepper texture, seen on the weathered surface.

Khondalite Group

Khondalite Group comprises quartzite, calc granulite / crystalline limestone,garnet sillimanite gneiss, garnet-cordierite gneiss and garnet quartz-feldspar gneiss.

Migmatitic Group

Migmatites are banded rocks of very high-grade metamorphism of varying mineralogical compositions. Two types of migmatite are seen in the Dindigul district, one is grey and the other is pink. The eastern part of the district shows complicated folded structures due to interference of two phases of folding, forming a series of domes and basin structures. Faults and shear zones trend N-S in the central part, and NW-SE in the southern part.

Kodaikanal Lake

Kodaikanal is a man-made lake, located in the heart of the city. it is a gigantic star-shaped lake. In the lake’s catchment area is found a very special flora –Kurinji. It blooms every 12 years, blooming last in 2016. The lake is spread across a large area of 60 acres and the outflow creates a 180-foot-tall waterfall known as the Silver Cascade. Boating is one of the best things to do in Kodaikanal in the summer. During winters and monsoons, the lake gets covered with fog and mist, making it heavenly.

Places to visit in Kodaikanal hill station

Coaker’s Walk

Coakers Walk is a 1-km pathway running along the edge of the slopes of the southern sides of Kodai mountain, Named after Lt. Coaker. It is a great place to walk in the evening and is preferred mostly by couples.

Magic mushrooms

Magic mushrooms are a type of mushroom that contains the drug psilocybin or psilocin. These drugs cause hallucinations. These are found in abundance in Mannavanur, Kodaikanal blooming in the rainy season.

Pillar rocks

Pillar Rocks is a stunning tourist attraction and a place with a fascinating history. The place is known for its scenic beauty and serenity, there are many interesting places to see in Kodaikanal, but there are none quite like the Pillar Rocks. These consist of three giant rock formations that stand tall at a height of 121 m. from the ground. The Pillar Rocks are sought out by rock climbers, trekkers, hikers, mountain climbers, and even families and friends who are on an adventure tour of Kodaikanal.

Guna Caves

Guna Caves is Popularly known as the Devil’s Kitchen, located between three massive, pillar-shaped boulders. The caves are filled with vampire bats and the caves have been made after the movie shooting done recently.

Mannavanur Lake

Mannavanur Lake is about 35 km away from Kodaikanal lies a serene beauty located in the Mannavanur Village. Eucalyptus and pine trees surround the area. The place is nothing less than Nature’s paradise.

Dolphin’s Nose

Dolphin’s Nose is a cliff atop a flat and protruding rock piece resembling a Dolphin’s nose. Located at a height of 6600 ft, It is a must-visit spot on a tour of Kodaikanal. The trek to the topmost summit of the Dolphin’s Nose begins right from the Pambar Bridge. The distance between the Pambar Bridge and the Dolphin’s Nose is exactly 3 km.

Things to do in Kodaikanal hill station

Trekking

There are multiple spots in Kodaikanal for adventure-seeking tourists including Pine Forest Trek- An easy trek suitable for tourists of all age groups. It is a place for awesome photography and fun-filled adventure.

Golfing

Located at a distance of 6 km from the mainland of Kodaikanal, Kodaikanal Golf Club is a perfect point for your recreational activities.

Visit Pine forest

Pine Forests are located on the way to Guna Caves. lots of tourists prefer to trek through this forest to reach the caves. The forest is famous for its picturesque views and scenery. It has been featured in many Bollywood and South Indian movies.

Camping in Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal offers various opportunities for camping, due to the large number of visitors in the city. As trekking is a popular activity most treks involve night stays in tent camps. Vattakanal is an awesome place for camping, located 30km away from Kodaikanal. A lot of wilderness gives a perfect atmosphere but there’s also risk due to the roaming bison of the Jungle. In Kodaikanal, some tour packages are available that offer both trekking and camping facilities in groups assuring both fun and safety for the tourists.

How to reach Kodaikanal hill station

Madurai International Airport is the nearest to Kodaikanal, approximately 120 km away. Regular flights are available for cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and Bangalore. From the airport, travelers can easily avail of bus or Cab services to reach Kodaikanal. Kodai Road nearly 95 km away is the nearest railhead that links Kodaikanalwith cities like Madurai and Trichy. Kodaikanal is 198 km from Trichy, 530 km from Chennai and 175 km from  Coimbatore.

Traveling in the city

Due to the hilly terrain, it is best to explore the place by a private vehicle or a Cab. One great option is to rent mountain bikes on an hourly basis to travel inside the city.

Also, read- A Secret Hill Station of India- The Kalimpong Town

Best time to visit Kodaikanal hill station

The summers (April to June) are the best time to visit the Kodaikanal when temperatures are not exceeding more than 35 degrees. The city blooms with lush green forests and the gorgeous hill station looks like heaven in the summer. The annual Kodaikanal Summer Festival is an excellent tourist attraction with flower shows, kabaddi tournaments, Rangoli competitions, and Bharatanatyam performances.

During the period of monsoon is best to see admirers of nature. During this time the greenery is at its prettiest.  The waterfalls are roaring but this season experiences some natural hazards such as landslides due to the hilly terrain. so be cautious when you visit during the monsoon