Kodaikanal
Make your way up to the foot hills of Kodaikanal for soothing air to embrace your body. The twisted road through the vegetation, the lower part of Kambam valley and Vaigai River, the Palani Hills encircling, the awesome weather round the year, homemade chocolates, marshmallows, the scent of pine and eucalyptus, souvenirs and curios from shops attracts the tourists. Kodaikanal is one of the fastest growing resort places.Located in the southern plains at the Dindigul district, Kodaikanal is the “Princess of hill stations” with bounded rocks, woods, serene lakes, calming air, splashing waterfalls, the misty clouds at the scenic spots, cycling around the lake, boating at the lake, trekking at the Perumalmalai, horse riding, balloon shooting, yoga center and for celebrating the wedding bliss “honeymoon”. The hill stands 7200 feet above sea level in the upper Palani Hills of the Western Ghats near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Hill-plantain fruits and plums delight the tongue. The surroundings of the hills mesmerize the tourists throughout the year.
This hill station is developed by the Americans. While looking out for a place to find peace, Lieutenant B. S. Ward in 1821, a British surveyor and the foreign missionaries of Madurai found this place. They travelled by horse, bullock cart and palanquin. Because of the climate and clean air, it became a popular site for them to relax and escape from summer. The Collector of Madurai during 1824 built a small bungalow at Kodaikanal and few churches and colonial structures also emerged in and around Kodaikanal. Union Church built in 1895, and a large number of private bungalows are the perfect examples of those structures. In 1863, Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, the Collector of Madurai, created the 60 acres Kodai Lake stocked with fish inside and the first boat from Tuticorin was brought which lead to the boat club. Church properties, summer holiday-homes, clubs, school and hotels, civic amenities were established. Now it has become a famous tourist spot.