17/05/2014
Kodaikanal – Heaven on Earth – Things to do !!
Kodaikanal is one of the most beautiful and unexplored hill stations in the southern part of India. Kodaikanal is located on the ghats of palani hills and the nearest railway station to reach Kodiakanal is Kodai road. It takes approximately two and half to three hours drive up hill from the Kodai road station to reach Kodaikanal via state transport bus or by taxi. The bus stand in Kodaikanal is located in the Annasalai area and there are many sight seeing spots in the vicinity of the bus stand namely The Coakers walk, Bryant Park, Kodaikanal Lake and the famous seven road junction of Kodaikanal is hardly three to four minutes walk from the bus station.
How we reached from Chennai to Kodaikanal
We traveled smart by taking a train (Pandian express) in the night from Chennai Egmore station around 9 pm and reached Kodai road at 6 am in the morning as the train was delayed by an hour. We immediately took a private bus waiting outside from Kodai road to Kodaikanal. Though the ticket cost was Rs.100 for two persons the journey was long and tiresome as the bus stopped frequently to pickup passengers and was gradually overloaded as it went up hill. My suggestion would be to take a taxi from Kodai road to Kodaikanal for 1600 to 1700 INR.
Our stay
Our stay in Kodai was for one night and two days. We booked Hotel Snooze Inn which was just behind the bus stand opposite to Kodaikanal post office, This place only has the lodging option and is good for bachelors. I would not recommend this place for couples coming to Kodaikanal for the first time.There are many lodging and eating options available near bus stand. The most famous Hotel Astoria Veg known for perfect budget accomodation and some lipsmacking south indian dishes is located diagonally opposite to the bus stand.
Day 1 – Coakers walk, Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant park.
Day 2 – Jain temple, Kuriniji Andavar temple and view of Palani hills and city view, Chettiar park (can skip), Upper lake view, Pine forest, Guna caves, Moore point (Can skip), Pillar rocks, Shopping at Green valley view,
Places to eat
Day 1 and 2 – Hotel Astoria Veg, Punjabi dhaba Anna salai, Oasis pub inside Kodai International hotel, Aby’s Cafe on P.T Road (One of the road on the seven road junction)
10 Things to do at Kodaikanal
1. Boating and cycling at Kodai Lake.
2. Having pastries at the Baker street shop, Annasalai.
3. Breakfast and Tamil saapad atleast once at Hotel Astoria Veg.
4.Having Pizza at Aby’s cafe on the P.T road Kodaikanal.
5. Chilly paneer and Vodka with fresh orange juice at Oasis pub.
6. Watching a game of football at Kodai International school playground (Very near to seven road junction).
7. Visiting the Jain temple.
8.Buying flavored soaps made from coconut oil.
9.Eating Rum and Raisins Chocolate.
10. A nap in the noon after heavy lunch
10 Things to avoid at Kodaikanal
1. Avoid transport bus to reach Kodaikanal if you are little more than budget traveler, take a personal cab instead.
2. Avoid wearing gold chain and rings during the boat ride in Kodaikanal as you can be vulnerable of letting your valuables in the lake.
3. Avoid carrying eateries or water bottles at sightseeing spots as you are vulnerable to be attacked by the monkeys.
4. Avoid these sight seeing places – The moore point, The chettiar park, The 500 year old tree, Pillar rock if the weather is misty.
5. Avoid eating oily food like pakodas and bhajjis at the sight seeing spot as they are not made from healthy oil.
6. Avoid the Sunday Market on P.T road if you want to buy anything else other than vegetables and some rotten fishes.
7. Avoid buying anything at Kodaikanal if you do not have bargaining skills
8. Two days are more than enough to explore Kodai and its surroundings, avoid the third day if you wish to.
9. Avoid Dominoes pizza as you can always have the same in your city instead try some new dishes from the local outlets.Avoid eating non – vegetarian food at Kodaikanal.
10. Avoid littering the beautiful Kodaikanal.
Give time a break and enjoy mother nature at its best at Kodaikanal. Travel more and travel smart. Leave a comment below if you found my post helpful.
