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Places to Visit in Kodaikanal

No prizes for guessing that Dolphin’s Nose in Kodaikanal is a viewpoint on a rock that is shaped like a dolphin’s nose. Several people trek up this route to descend to this point. You wouldn’t have trouble understanding when your trek comes to an end, because the fast-flowing Catherine Falls will shout out to you to celebrate half of your hike.

It is a dangerous route though because one has to climb back up which is steep and challenging for many. If you are a daredevil, then you can ask for local help and hike further to the end of Dolphin’s Nose which will lead you to an Echo Point, which is scary with a sheer valley on all three sides, but the glimpse is spectacular! and best for Kodaikanal sightseeing.

Location: 8 Km. from Kodaikanal on Upper Shola Rd, Kodaikanal, India

Timing: 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Entry Fee: Free

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Green Valley View is amongst the very few places to visit in Kodaikanal that offers a bird’s eye view of the Vaigai Dam. Apart from that, it is a one-stop-shop to get a wholesome view of the enthralling greenery, the cloud-bound valley and the lush mountains behind.

It is also amongst the dangerous viewpoints since the route up is tricky, and is on a great height which makes standing there also unsafe. The mist takes over the crowd post late afternoon, and that might disrupt the spectacle from there unless you are there for the haze.

Location: 5.5km from Kodaikanal Lake.

Timing: 07.00AM to 06.00PM

Entry Fee: Free

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You take an above-ground view of the Kodaikanal Lake, and you will be amazed to find a star-shaped water body that is the soul of this city. What makes this exceptional amongst the other places to visit in Kodaikanal is the fact that it is man-made and dates many years back. The Palani Hills ranges make an extraordinary surrounding the main lake.

One can sit by, meander around, or go boating which is chargeable. If you get the permissions, then you can even go fishing at this lake.  Kodaikanal Lake is renowned for preserving the Kurinji Flower, which blooms only once in twelve years. Flower shows, and Boat Pageants are consistent fascinations in the summer season.

Location: 3km from Kodai bus stand

Timings: 06.00AM to 05.00PM

Entry Fees: Free

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If you are looking for privacy, serenity, a glimpse at nature’s beauty and want to say hello to some exotic species and fauna, then a visit to Bear Shola Falls is a must! It gets this attention-grabbing name from the fact that Bears visited this water body to quench their thirst. No doubt this is one of the best Kodaikanal tourist places. 

This spout breathes to life in the monsoons as it streams down the green mountains and the stylishly shaped rocks. This white water area is a perfect place for Kodaikanal sightseeing which takes one through the thick forests.  One must make sure to wear comfortable shoes in this area, as it is slippery and is dominated by monkeys!

Location: 2kms from Kodaikanal Lake

Timings: 10.00AM to 06.00PM

Entry Fees: Free

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The majestic pillar rocks are what edge the Guna Caves and its mystery puts it on the list of places to visit in Kodaikanal. These rocks narrate a yarn of a love story that still touches many hearts. Protruding from within the tall mountains, these pillars reach up to a height of 400 feet thus offering the paramount contour of the hills.

There was once a white wooden cross that rested on these rocks which were a symbol of love, but it is lost with time. Hold your hearts, for you might fall in love with the place. It is the best spot for picnics and also has a mini garden to amuse tourists further.

Location: Pillar Rocks Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101

Timings: 09.00AM to 04.00PM

Entry Fee: Rs.5/person and Rs.20 for camera

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You might have never before seen a restricted waterfall whose broadness has been cut off to fall like a narrow stretch of a tail at high speed; that and everything more amusing is Thailayar Falls for you! Falling from a height of about 297m, this cascade has been recorded as the highest one in Tamil Nadu which make this place best for Kodaikanal sightseeing

If you catch a glimpse of it from a distance, then you will notice that it is a large strip flowing out of nowhere, in the middle of nowhere amidst the gigantic Palani ranges. Hiking at the base of the falls is a popular activity which covers an unbelievable distance of 15km!

Location: Devadanapatti of Theni District, Tamil Nadu

Timing: 10.00am to 06.00PM (Closed on Sundays)

Entry Fee: Free

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If you want to see with your own eyes the epitome of beauty on Earth, then you should know that Coaker’s Walk is the highlight of the tourist places in Kodaikanal. Driving through the mountains is one experience, but walking an entire kilometre on that path while you look at the lush green mountains on the other end is something else.

City people use this path for morning and evening walks. The telescope House escalates the view of the valley, even though chargeable, it is grandeur! The weather is pleasant throughout the year, but it is frigid and foggy during the winter due to its height.

Location: 0.5 km from Kodaikanal Lake

Timings: 07.00AM to 07.00PM

Entry Fees: Rs.10/person; Rs.30 for camera and Rs.20 to visit Telescope House

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Every nature lover must drop down at this leftover reservoir that gains its source from the dam which forms outstanding scenery of the landscape that Mother Nature has bestowed Kodaikanal with. Hidden within the forests, this immaculate lake is a wonder for bird-watching, photography and chilling.

The friendly fishes may come around by the banks to entertain you into staying longer. A trip to the Berijam Lake calls for a lot of planning, as it is not open after 03.00PM since the fog enters the area after 01.00PM; also they do not allow many people to enter at once, so it is best to make your way there in the morning.

Location: Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Timing: 09.00AM to 03.00PM

Entry Fee: Rs.100/person

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Education, picnicking and gardening are all the things you will witness at Byrant Park, another jewel of Kodaikanal. The park is hoarded with variant types of species of plants and shrubs that leaves one astounded for long. Horticulture and gardening fanatics visit this place in plenty.

It is a wonderful place for gathering information on the many plants and trees, and hence is an amalgamation of an educational and fun trip! It is amongst the very few sites that preserve Green Roses, one of its latest additions. The Annual Horticulture Show conducted in May keeps people waiting from around the world!

You must visit Byrant Park and its 325 species & religious Bodhi Tree.

Location: Lower Shola Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101

Timings: 09.00AM to 06.00PM

Entry Fees: Rs 30/adult; Rs.15/child; Rs.50 for camera and Rs.100 for video camera

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The Silver Cascade Waterfall resembles its name in every essence. It is a pit stop on the way to Madurai, and it claims one’s scenic attention like nothing else! Falling from a humongous height of 180ft, this pour is unimaginably ethereal. It draws its water from the overflowing Kodai Lake and gushes down with loud thuds.

Many take a dip into them when the weather is apt. The smell of homemade chocolates and herbal oils from local vendors will urge you into buying them for people back home. Sitting by the lake, and chomping off on local fruits and delicacies at the waterside restaurants is a binding memory!

Location: 8km ahead on Kodai-Madurai road.

Timings: N/A

Entry Fee: Free

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Silent Valley View Point is nature’s beauty at its best with heart-throbbing views of the white cloud-painted mountains. The pea green valley that lies below makes this point amongst the supreme tourist places in Kodaikanal.

You can catch the sunrise and sunset in the eyes of the city, and confirm that you are indeed in the ‘princesses of hills’. The winter season blankets the valley with a white mist that associate to form a panoramic visual that is incomparable to anything else you have ever seen.

You will be forced to settle down for beyond your estimated hours, only to believe what you are seeing!

Location: Berijam Rd, Tamil Nadu 624101

Timings: Daytime

Entry Fee: Free

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If you are in Kodaikanal and want to feel the South culture, then Kurunji Andavar Murugan Temple is one of the famous religious  Kodaikanal sightseeing places. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, the God of Hill, this temple acts as the spiritual link between the hills and the Lord of the residents.

It gets the name ‘Kurunji’ from the Kurunji flower that blooms once in twelve years. You can relax in the premise after prayers at the shrub garden or the park area.

Location: Kurinji Andavar Temple Road, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101

Timing: 07.00AM to 07.00PM

Entry Fee: Free

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Sited in the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is built in a manner that aids in the study of the solar actions. Professionals use this place to find the most accurate cosmic observations because the placement of the observatory helps to study the sun in an undisturbed manner; this is why it open only during the day.

A lot of national and international conferences are conducted here; it is bejewelled with a lot of data that is stored in its larger than life library. If you can pull some strings, then you may get special permission for star gazing at night, but that is subject to the officials.

Location: Near Govt Rose Garden, Observatory Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624103

Timings: 10.00AM to 12.00PM, 02.00PM to 04.00PM (From April to June); 10.00AM to 12.00PM during other months (Only on Fridays)

Entry Fee: Free

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It wouldn’t be wrong to call Lake View Point as a photographer’s nirvana because it is statuesque! You can stand atop Lake View Point, and get an aerial view of the Kodaikanal Lake. Since it comes in the middle of many other local attractions, this is a preferred stopover to take a break and sip some local tea.

You can interact with the native vendors who sell authentic souvenirs that belong to Kodaikanal. The point is gathered with several professional photographers who will allow you to make the most of the background.

Location: Theni-Allinagaram, Theni, Kodaikanal, India

Timing: 24 Hours

Entry Fee: Free

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This widespread white beauty is an amazing place to spend some time when in Kodaikanal. You can sit by Vattakanal Falls and relish some hot lip-smacking delicacies sold by localites while the falls amaze you with all its glamour. Hiking up the route of the falls is also an option, and is indeed loved by many.

There are several viewpoints on the way up here that testify the splendour that the city owns. If you feel like taking a plunge, then you can move to the bottom of the falls where the water collects to form a pool. The cold water is revitalising and energetic, especially in the monsoons.

Bison and some other wild animals are night mongers around the falls after sunset; therefore you should stay on a lookout for them if you are on a hike!

Location: 3km outside Kodaikanal

Timing: 24-hours

Entry Fee: Free

Perumal Peak has an untold history; residents of the town believe that this Peak was once an active volcano and it has remained dormant since the past 1,000 years. Another reason why you should visit this peak is that it is the highest one in this mountain range soaring in the Western Ghats.

Not just does it give a view of the Ghats, but also of the Nilgiri Hills that shine bright with a green carpet clinging to them. Adventure lovers flock this area because they can either hike to this point or go mountain biking which is a rare thing to do in Kodaikanal.

This 7km long route is praiseworthy of every hard-working step because the view from the mountain top is mesmerising. There is also availability to camp there overnight.

Location: Western Ghat, Nilgiri Hills | 11.3 Km from Kodaikanal, Kodaikanal, India

Timing: 24-hours

Entry Fee: Free

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Kukkal Caves in Kodaikanal is a treat for the city owing to its deep history of giving refuge to the Palaiyar tribes. The walls inside that are full of paintings confirm the presence of this tribal group, until they finally disappeared. Now, the area is so rich in its biodiversity, that people from different parts of the country visit the caves to study the unexplored flora and fauna it preserves.

The place is soothing for it is on one of the highest elevations of the mountain ranges which is why it experiences lower temperatures throughout the day and year. The Forest Department conserves these caves to protect it from human interruption.

Location: Kukkal, Kodaikanal, India

Timing: 10.00AM to 05.00PM

Entry Fee: Free

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The Guna Caves in Kodaikanal have an engrossing history; it is believed that the Pandavas used to cook their meals in these caves, and hence it was initially called The Devil’s Kitchen. The name was later changed in the ’90s when the film Guna was shot here.

The caves are hugged by three gigantic rock pillars and are sheltered by the Shola trees. It is a place that some find risky, and some find rousing due to its altitude, steep drops, and cliffs. You cannot visit the caves anymore since they are now jailed for people’s safety, but it is still worthy of your time to even set your eye on it from a distance as you walk through the pine forest.

Location: Pillar Rocks Rd, Tamil Nadu 624101

Timings: 08.00AM to 06.00OM

Entry Fee: Free

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Distance from Kodai Bus stand: Approximately 11 KM

A team of students under Spanish Father E Ugarte have given their all to preserve their teacher’s collections of butterflies, moths, and birds which is kept at Shembaganur Museum of Natural History. It covers wide-ranging history from handicrafts, flora, fauna and anthropology.

There are more than 300 species of plants, trees, mammals, butterflies, etc. which you can see and gain insights about them. A vast garden awaits you in the premise which will introduce you to a variety of flowers. If you connect with history, and you love learning about plants, then this museum is for you!

Location: 5.6km from Kodaikanal Lake

Timings: 10.00AM to 11.30PM and 03.00PM to 05.00PM (Closed on Thursdays)

Entry Fee: Rs.2/person

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The Kodaikanal Pine Forest seems much like a painting that has come to life with its splendid colours and picturesque feel. This is amongst the favourite places to visit in Kodaikanal on every tourist’s itinerary.

It might seem like you are not a part of this planet for the hours that you spend there because the long stretch of just trees will not allow you to gaze at anything else but them. The semblance of the place is fantastic for nature walks, or just to rejuvenate.

The Magic mushrooms border these forests in large densities. It might not surprise you to know that it has been a picture perfect background in several Indian movies.  

Location: Kodaikanal Ghat Road

Timing: 10.00AM to 06.00PM

Entry Fee: Free