KODAIKANAL

Kodaikanal means ‘dense thicket’ in the local language - Tamil. This place is also referred to as the “Princess of Hills” because of its tremendous height of about 7000ft above sea level. The climate of Kodaikanal is a huge factor for people visiting this hill station, where the highest temperature recorded is 20C and the lowest is 8C with minimal rainfall during the monsoon.

In recent times Kodaikanal is known for the Guna Caves which was iterated in a Malayalam movie - Manjumel Boys there are enormous places and activities to explore in Kodaikanal. The history of Kodaikanal narrates captivative tales of Britishers and US missionaries who established the place in 1845. This hill station has around 75 acres of artificial lake created in 1863 and incorporated technology that is intertwined with the climate.

The best time to visit Kodaikanal is during the winter season between October to March with the coolest temperature below 5C. The weather is frosty and fantastic with the greenery and aromas of coffee plants. Monsoons with heavy rainfall are not recommended due to slippery slopes, logging water, and rolling rocks. The freezing temperature might not be suitable for everyone so it is advised to wear clothes that can withstand low temperatures.

There are a lot of attractive places near Kodaikanal that have been tagged as must-visits, Silver Cascade Falls,  Moir Viewpoint, Kurinji Temple, Sheep Research Center, Natural museums, and different lake spots. Apart from the greenery and cool breeze, these spots have a lot of tradition and culture which has been followed for centuries and holds commercial values in the present day. Along with these spots, there are a bunch of activities in Kodaikanal that keep you engaged like - hiking through nature, trekking along the steep, cycling across the Kodaikanal Lake, boating, and paddling. These activities break the routine of continuous screening time from 9 to 5 schedule and improve your physical health.

With the great memories of joy people also bring the tastes of Kodaikanal during their travel. Some restaurants serve excellent Tamil food fare which includes both veg and non-veg. Starting the day with aromatic ghee roast at Astoria and ending it with some delicious dessert ‘Payasam’ conquers your taste buds. Aesthetic lovers' one-stop destination is Kodaikanal, the shopping places here are filled with hand-made crafts, beautifully sculptured idols, flavored incense sticks, and natural oils extracted from the woods of the Kodai forests.

Wrapping up with the fact that Kodaikanal is indeed the best destination to travel with friends, family, or even solo trips. People there are friendly and also guide you through places if you're stuck in the woods. The places and activities in Kodai keep you so energetic throughout the day, while the delicious food is the energy source.