The word ‘Hill Station’ is generally referred to any town located at an elevation higher than the nearby plain or valley. This term was introduced and made popular during the British colonial rule in India. Traditionally these hill towns were established and used as a refuge from the summer heat. Over time the towns started gaining popularity as a tourist hotspot on account of their moderate temperatures and less crowded appeal. Today we travel to Kodaikanal, a quaint but popular hill town in the southern state of Tamil Nadu India where time seems to stand still as people come for the fresh air, good food and outdoor appeal.

Kodaikanal is small enough to be considered a weekend destination although the longer you stay the more you fall in love with this sleepy town. The moderate climate lends itself to year round popularity but we found that one of the best times to visit Kodaikanal is towards the end of summer. The majority of the tourist crowds are long gone and life here seems even more relaxed. People really take things slow and you can actually pause to take the time to soak in all the sights and sounds of Kodaikanal.Kodaikanal is a very popular destination for people as it is easily accessible by bus, train and air travel. The closest airport is Madurai, about 120 kilometers away. Other airports include the Trichy airport about 150 kilometers away and the Coimbatore airport about 175 kilometers away. Buses are available from the airport to Kodaikanal. Regular bus services are available from the cities of Chennai, Coimbatore, Pondicherry, Madurai and many more. Another option is to take the rail route to Kodai Road, which is about 100 kilometers away from the main town. From here, taxis are available. Once in the city, local taxis and private cars (arranged via hotels) are available for rent for transportation in and around the city.

Our founder, Karthika Gupta, traveled to Kodai and shares her itinerary with us, which basically consisted of living life as a local the entire time she was there. She says, “The beauty of Kodai is best enjoyed by those without an extensive travel agenda. The motto of the locals is to take it easy, soak in the fresh mountain air, take time to smell the flowers and relax”. Not a bad way to spend a vacation, don’t you agree?From Karthika,

The cool breeze against the nape of my neck felt really great and instantly cooled me, providing a well needed respite from the dry heat of the interior plateau of Southern India. As we climbed higher and higher up the Western Ghats through numerous hair pin turns, the driver turned off the car air conditioning and rolled down all windows so that we could breathe in the cool mountain air. We were on our way to Kodaikanal, a delightful little hill station in the upper Palani hills along the eastern spur of India’s mighty western ghats mountain range. In rural India, most villages and communities have a village temple – a community shrine for all. Called a ‘Kaval Devathai’ – god protecting the threshold, sits along the road leading up to the foothills of Kodaikanal welcoming friends and threatening foe. Most travelers stop and pray for safe passage through the windy mountain roads. As the road up the mountains gets closer to the city of Kodai, the tar gives ways to cobbled stone streets and small waterfalls appear at every bend of the drive up to the city.

Things to see and do in Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal, affectionately referred to as ‘Kodai’ by tourists and locals alike, is quite a popular hill station because of its easy accessibility by air, train and bus from many parts of South India. Kodai has a great mix of tourist hotspots as well as little known gems popular with the locals in and around the area. Our time here was spent walking around the many parks in the area. Because of its temperate climate, Kodai has an abundance of well maintained public gardens. Places like Chettinar Park and Byrant Park boast a wide variety of flowers and well manicured grounds with great views of the city. The beauty of Kodiakanal as a place to walk among the clouds is best experienced at Coakers Walk – a beautiful cobbled stone lined walkway carved on the mountain. Coaker’s Walk is a great place to visit to get sweeping views of the surrounding hillside. We went for an evening walk and as the mist rolled in, I felt like I was walking among the clouds almost touching the heavens above.  For all those who enjoy flowers and greenery, well manicured lawns and fields of rhododendron, magnolias and roses are an absolute delight. Kodai isn’t without its share of adventure. For a slightly off-the-beaten path experience, Berijam Lake is a must see. Berijam Lake is a lake deep in the forests around Kodai. Getting there requires a little additional planning as the forest department provides limited number of permits per day but the drive is well worth it because of the views of the western ghats and its valleys. We took a picnic lunch and stopped by the side of the road once we got up to the lake to soak in the views. There are many points of interest along the drive so be sure to pick up some pointers from the forest officials at the entrance. The roadway to the lake is also used by locals who work in the forest. Of course, no trip to Kodai is complete without a boat ride on Kodai Lake. It is a man made lake and is quite big and relatively deep. If you are the typical do-it-yourself type, then paddle boats and canoes are available for rent from the Kodai Boat Rowers Club. Otherwise opt for a guided boat tour to really kick back, relax and take in all the wonderful sights along the lake. Our guide, Mr. Kanan was quite informative and gave us a quick history lesson about Kodai. Kodai is also a foodie’s paradise. Apart from the plethora of traditional sit down restaurants, there are some unique street vendors who whip up some interesting delicacies for a more local home town experience. ‘Kodai Bhel’ can be had either sweet or spicy and with a side of dry roasted corn, it is the perfect snack on a cool crisp afternoon. The bhel can be sweetened with pineapple or tangy with raw green mangoes. Kodai is a major grower of fruits. It is known as a fruit lovers paradise with some really exotic fruits like Mangosteen, Cherry pear and Star fruit that are grown locally in and around the region. Most of the fruit we purchased barely lasted the drive back to the hotel.

Where to stay in Kodaikanal

Another great thing about Kodai is the wide variety of hotels to stay in. We loved the Hotel Tamil Nadu which is part of the Tamil Nadu Tourism board. The atmosphere of the hotel as a whole is calming, uplifting and comforting. The hotel grounds were well maintained – the burst of colorful floral around the property were an absolute delight to wake up to. The restaurant in the hotel was perfect for morning tea and breakfast that can be delivered to your room for an additional fee. Overall Kodaikanal is a quiet little hill station town with so much character and charm. It is hard not to fall in love with such a tranquil place that invites you to relax and stay just a little longer!

Thank you Karthika for this virtual tour of Kodaikanal in South India. It does seem like a little slice of heaven – a perfect way to unwind and take a relaxing break for the weekend. Although, most people would probably want to hang out just a little bit longer, don’t you think?

{Words and Images by Karthika Gupta; Website: Karthika Gupta; Instagram: @karthikagupta}

Visual Travel Log To Kodaikanal In South India

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