The Kodaikanal a hill station with Misty Hills Coated in Fog and with the Chilly Temperature located in Dindigul district in the state of Tamilnadu located at 7000 ft above the sea level, Established by British bureaucrats in 1845. Also called as “Princess of Hill Stations”. The verdant hills, The Cascading waterfalls, Picturesque Lakes, Pristine countrysides – the reason why Kodaikanal has been popular among tourist are many. Boating, cycling, Horse riding and trekking are some of the most common activities here. moreover Kurinji flower that blooms only once in 12 years, making itself a unique spectacle to watch here.

Silver Cascade Falls, 8 km before Kodaikanal on the way to the hill station from Madurai, is one of the most popular & first place one to visit in Kodaikanal on the way. The white water plummeting over the many steps of this over 180 feet waterfall right into the ground below appears more like milk than water with somewhat silvery hue, mesmerizing one and all with its sheer strength and beauty and perhaps that’s why it has been named Silver Cascade. The months of July and August are when the monsoon rains feed Silver Cascade and you will get the best of this enchanting waterfall.

Kurinji Andavar Temple, 4 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station (on the edge of Kurinji Andavar Road), is dedicated to Lord Muruga, the God of Hills. As per the Tamil literature, Kurinji means ‘hill region’ and Andavar means ‘God’, hence Lord Muruga is referred as ‘God of hill’. The deity here is called Sri Kurinji Easware.The temple was built by a European, who was influenced by the religion of Hinduism and adopted the religion. She patronized the construction of the temple that was erected in the year 1936. Thousands of devotees visit this temple during the summer festival to seek the blessings of Lord Muruga. The Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple is famous for its Kurinji flower which blossoms in the area only once every 12 years. It gives you beautiful views of Northern Plains and Palani Hills.

The 12-acre Kodaikanal Rose Garden, the rose lover’s paradise, which is breathtaking and was made public in 2018 by the Tamil Nadu government located just before the solar observatory. For nature lovers, flower enthusiasts and photography buffs alike, gardens have always been an irresistible draw. Whether you’re looking to unwind with loved ones or simply bask in the beauty of your surroundings, there’s no better place to be than amidst the lush greenery of a serene garden with a promised 100,000 plants in a couple of years. You can roam around the garden in battery cars which costs Rs. 30 per person for 15-30 minutes. Rose Garden Kodaikanal contains an outdoor playground with a slider, seesaw, swings, and other items for kids, just like all other gardens. The entry fee is Rs.20 for adults and Rs.10 for children. Rs.50 is to be paid for if you carry a camera. The garden is open from 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. and the best time to visit the place is in April.

Bryant Park, on the eastern front of Kodai Lake, is a picturesque botanical garden that boasts a collection of rare and exotic plants and trees that is almost as old as the hill station itself was set up by the then a forest officer from Madurai H. D. Bryant in 1908 as a small park & now developed into a botanical garden spanning over 20 acres. Home to a wide variety of plants, cacti, and trees that were planted decades ago, The park boasts a collection of over a thousand different varieties of roses. The cool breeze from the nearby Kodai Lake, scented with countless roses in the park, is guaranteed to soothe and refresh your mind. The entire park turns itself into a carnivalesque atmosphere during the summer months as the flowers bloom in vibrant hues. The glasshouse is a unique feature of the park that houses a wide variety of exotic plants. The annual flower show, conducted in the month of May, is the best time to visit the park to truly enjoy its beauty to the fullest. The show is organized by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department and assembles a wide variety of flowers and plants from the nearby villages for both show and exhibition. The park is also home to a eucalyptus tree that is almost 175 years old.

The star-shaped artificial lake, over 60 acres along with being surrounded by fine tarred road of 5 Kms length, built in 1863 under the stewardship of the Collector of Madurai, Sir Vere Henry Levinge. Known as the heart of Kodaikanal, this lake has been a ideal place for you to unwind and get rejuvenated. There is also a Kodaikanal Boat Club.  People can enjoy boating in the lake with rowing and pedaling boats. The lake is rich in a variety of flora and fauna with different species of fish and aquatic plants. Kurinji or Strobilanthes cynthiana, which blooms once in 12 years, is found in the catchment area of Kodai Lake. People cycle or go on horse rides around the lake. Tourists also have the option of taking bicycles on rent. There is ample space for parking near the lake for shopping including Tibetan shops. Home-made chocolates, hot tea, snacks, and dresses.

The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is a solar observatory owned and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. It is on the southern tip of the Palani Hills 4 kilometres from Kodaikanal. The Evershed effect was first detected at this observatory in January 1909. Solar data collected by the lab is the oldest continuous series of its kind in India. Precise observations of the equatorial electrojet are made here due to the unique geography of Kodaikanal. A 12 m solar tower with modern spectrograph was established in 1960 and used to perform some of the first ever helioseismology investigations. Measurements of vector magnetic fields were initiated during the 1960s. In 1977, many of the astronomers from Kodaikanal shifted to Bangalore and established the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The observatory has a popular astronomy museum on campus for the visitors. The displays are mainly pictorial, with a few models, a live solar image and the Fraunhofer spectrum also presented. The library is one of the observatory’s proud possessions. It has a collection of astronomical literature, which is of archival value. The library maintains a skeletal collection of current literature in solar and solar terrestrial physics.

Pine Forest with hundreds of pine trees dot the landscape, making it an ideal spot for travellers to walk around & take pictures & enjoy the mist’s if they are lucky. These forests are cloaked in a rustic charm, and walking under the canopy of these old pine trees will offer much-needed solitude for those seeking it. Located in the south-western part of Kodaikanal, these plantations were put up a century ago. There are two sets of pine forests named, Pine Forest 1 and Pine Forest 2. While Pine Forest 1 is situated near the Solar Observatory, Pine Forest 2 is located near Moir Point. Enjoy a long walk here, where the echo of the forests will keep you company. Apart from photography and Nature walks, you can also enjoy a horse ride along the trail among these lofty, pine trees.

Moir Point is located at the entrance of the forest that leads to the beautiful Berijam Lake. It is one of the important viewpoints in Kodaikanal. The site is named after Sir Thomas Moir who began the construction of the Goschen Road in 1929. There is a monument mentioning this stands in this site. It is located at a distance of 10 km from Kodaikanal Bus Station and 3 km from Pillar Rocks, Offering a marvelous view of the valley & bird’s view point of the hills and the villages that surround the area.

Berijam lake is located 22 km southwest from the famous Kodaikanal lake. It is natural freshwater lake which you can drive down to through beautiful forest cover. As this location is a restricted place entry is only allowed between 10am to 3pm through the checkpost situated near Moir Point & a entry pass is required to reach Berijam lake. It can be easily obtained from the District Forest Office situated in the Laws Ghat Rd, Kodaikanal between 7am to 9am.

Situated at an altitude of 2200 meters, the Guna Caves are a thing of mystery and wonder that attracts travelers in hordes. Known earlier as ‘Devil’s kitchen’, the place got its name ‘Guna’ after the 1992 Tamil blockbuster movie “Guna” was shot here. Located on the Moir point road,the caves are situated  10 kilometers from Kodaikanal. Whilst you may not be able to enter them for safety reasons, you can always view the caves from a safe distance.

Pillar Rock, 400-feet towering three granite rock which stand shoulder to shoulder is a natural beauty to explore. From the vantage point of the Pillar Rock, you can enjoy the serene beauty of Kodaikanal. The gap between the two rocks is called the ‘Devil’s kitchen’. If you go on a trek, there will be guides to lead the way. There are also waterfalls near the rocks. The lush greenery and the garden with a wide variety of flowers at the base of the rock formations, is an ideal picnic spot for families. The entry timing to the Pillar rocks is between 9 am and 4 pm, including Sundays. The fee per person is Rs 5, and you need to pay Rs 20 for a still camera shot. If you take your kids along, be extra careful to keep them away from the edge of the rocks

Enjoy a mystic walk among the clouds at the Coakers walk, near Kodaikanal Lake. A kilometre-long stretch or pathway is an ideal destination for sightseeing and a stroll, along the vicinity of St Peter’s church. Tourists come here to enjoy the sunrise and the sunset. This walkway was constructed in 1872 by Lieutenant Coaker on the steep mountain slope.  If the day is clear, tourists can see the Dolphin’s nose point in the south and also Periyakulam town and Madurai city from the viewpoint For enjoying a clearer and wider view of the landscape, there is an observatory along the walkway. You can carry water with you to keep yourself hydrated. It is better to visit the place before 2.30 pm for a clear view before the mist sets in. Open from 7 am to 7 pm.

Kulanthai Velappar temple is situated in the village of Poombarai near Kodaikanal in Dindigul. The temple was built by a Chera King as per inscription. After completing Palani Andavar statue, Bogar built one more navapashanam idol at this place between Palani and Poombarai. This place is also called as Yanai Gejam. A shrine to Siddhar Bogar is present in the south western corridor of the temple. The temple is built in a typical South India temple architectural style. There is no tower. The sanctum sanctorum faces towards the east direction. The main idol, Kulandai Velappan is present in the standing posture in the sanctum sanctorum. His mount (vahanam) peacock is found near the Bali peetam and flag staff facing towards the main shrine. Every year Poombarai celebrates Ther Thiruvizha (car festival) for Lord Muruga. It falls on Kettai nakshatra which comes after Thai Poosam. Normally it comes in Thai or Maasi month.

Mannavanur is about 35 kilometers west, an hour’s drive from Kodaikanal at an Altitude of 1,880 metres (6,170 ft). Mannavanur Eco-park, goat farm and lake Near Kukkal are the major attraction of this place. The Goat farm is a feast for the eyes as it spread across hundreds of acres of land which was managed by Farm of the Indian council of Agricultural Research, which comes under the central government. The entry fee to the farm is Rs. 20 and on one corner of the farm you could find the Mannacanur lake. A 5km drive from Mannavanur village will take you to the pleasing Kookal Lake. The road leading to the lake is amidst forest and the lake emerges where the jungle ends. Kookal lake is a small water body  looks breathtaking from a distance. A viewpoint and a natural cascade could be found near the lake.  You see the caves where ancient men were living before. Bison, sambar, barking deer, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri tahr and jungle cats are sighted here. The place is also known for its 165 species of butterflies, 15 types of dabchicks, wood pigeon and the Nilgiri pipit.