Kodaikanal - Escape from scorshing heat(HELL).

During our last month visit to Chennai(from Houston), we wanted to take a break from busy schedule and get away from heat. So we planned for an escape trip to some good or fun place for relaxation. We had couple of places in our list like Ooty, Kodai or may be Singapore. After mulling over for few days, Kodai came out as a winner. We decided to take 3 days trip to Kodai. We planned ahead for a good accommodation in Hill Country Resort thru City Corporate club.

Then we talked about how we going to get their from Chennai. My wife was ok to travel by Car. But I had my own reservation traveling by car for a long distance after seeing lots of accidents in the news. So I asked my in-law to book train from Chennai to Dindugal/Kodai Road and plan to take car from there.

My in-laws also planned to join us by car which helped to reach Kodai from Dindugul. They left Tuesday early afternoon to Dindugul by car.We started off night in Pandian Express at around 9:30pm. Wow, I was amazed to see train started on time. My son Ashwin traveling first time in train.

Obviously, he is not going to experience anything different being a one year old. But my wife and me had a good chat about it. We had a good sleep and reached Dindugul early morning at 5:15am. Train was late 45 mins. My in-law was waiting for us in the platform. From there, we started to Kodaikanal by car for 60kms after finishing a simple breakfast in Balaji Bhavan Hotel near dindugul busstand. We reached the bottom of the Kodai hill in a hour from Dindugul.

Some pics taken on the way to the Kodai from the Hill viewpoint. Excellent green valley and nice scenic view from top of the observation deck.

It took us 2 hours to reach Kodai Hill because of hairpin bends and windy roads.There is falls on the way called Silver Falls which really didn't have much water. So we just skipped and drove along. As soon we reached certain height, I slowly felt the difference in temperature. When we reached Kodai, it was like the city full air conditioned. No more sweating!! It also brought me some good old memories of my college tour. We came to Kodai for our first tour during 2nd year of engineering in 1993. It was blast and especially with friends!!

As we already have booking for accommodation, we headed straight to Hill Country resort which like apx. 7kms from Kodai. We were surprised to found out that our booking was never confirmed by City Corporate club. We were stranded in street for around 2 hours without any accommodation. Its was not a good start.

We have to find some other place to stay. We were so hungry and head to a restaurant near the lake called Meenakshi Restaurant. Its is good for south Indian meal. We head off to hunt for cottage thru an agent we found near lake. Since May, Jun and July are peak season we couldn't get places for reasonable charge. We ended paying 3times actual cost and got a decent place to stay.

That evening, we went to Kurunji Andavar temple famous where Kurunji flower blossoms every 12 years. It blossomed last year. We had good dharsan and head back to room after having reasonable dinner at Kodai Annapoorna Restaurant in the market area.

Next day, we went for boating in the Kodai Lake. we ended waiting for half hour. During that time, I was interviewed by the local FM radio station and offered to hear my fav. song. That was a nice experience.

I tried to row the boat and its not that easy.

We then went to Bryant Park just opposite to the Lake and relaxed a bit under the shade. They had some good flower exhibition with variety of flowers. It was refreshing to the eyes.

It was lunch time. We gone to Hill Top Inn nearby in the Market area. Had Good North Indian and South Indian dishes for reasonable cost. We went to other good scenic spots like Pine wood forest

Guna Caves - Cave view closed to stop accidents - Suicide Point

Pillar Rock

We also went for cycling in the evening along the lake which I highly recommend. Its fun to drive, so just take a trip . We totally enjoyed the 2 days of stay at kodai except the bad start. We headed down and visited Palani Temple on the way to Dindugul and reached Dindugul on Friday evening. Took the train at 10:30pm which came 30mins late from Madurai and reached chennai safely.

Please be prepared to spend a lot of money for lodging during peak season if you didn't plan ahead.

How to get there

By Air: Go to of these Airports and travel by car from there.
Madurai - 135 kms, Coimbatore - 170Kms and Trichy - 195 Kms.

By Train: Pandian Express from Chennai to Kodai road or Dindugal.
By Car: Take NH45 to go Dindugal or Kodairoad via Trichy
By Bus: Take direct bus from Chennai Koyembadu or Go to Trichy or Madurai and take bus to Kodai

Where to Stay

Hill Country Resort - Very nice place to stay away from city. You have to a member to stay there. Price - $$$

Sterling Resort - Another good place near Hill Country. Very scenic views from bedroom. Price - $$$

There are other reasonable hotels but need to book ahead of time during peak season.

Where to Eat

Astoria Restaurant (Market Area) - Veg Type - Highly Recommend - Both North and South Indian Dishes - Fast Service - $

Hill Top Inn - Recommend for Non- Veg type - North and South Indian - $$

Meenakshi Bhavan - Good south indian meals - $

Places to visit
Kodai Lake
Bryant Park
Coakers Walk
Kurunji Andavar Temple
Guna caves - Good view closed now..
Pine wood Forest
Pillar Rock

Activites
Boating - Waiting in season times - Rs.20-Rs.30
Cycling - Highly recommend in evening hours - Rs.10/hour
Hiking - Good tracks - Recommend, if you good group of people.
Walking - Along the lake