Kodaikanal - Tourist Information
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Kodaikanal - Tourist Information
Vembadi Peak
Vembadi Peak is the second highest peak with a height of 2466m. A right turn in Berijam road and a steep climb leads you to the top. From the stone summit, one can have a magnificent view over Berijam lake, Vandaravu range, Mannovanur sheep farm , Poombarai valley and over all Kerala. The hike will begin from Kodaikanal TV Tower.
Palani Hills
The Palani hills are at eastern offshoot of the Western ghats covering an area of 2400 Sq. Kms, and the town of Kodaikanal is centrally located. There are 2 main divisions of Palani - the Upper Palani (1800 - 2500 m)and the Lower Palani (800 - 1500 M). The Palani is the main watershed for the Vaigai (South) and Amaravathi (Cauvery) (North) Basins. The climate of the Palani varies with altitude from the typical climate of the Tamil Nad. The average rainfall in Palani is 1600 mm. The major contribution being from the North East monsoon though there is some rainfall during the South West monsoon period.
The Palani is a source of unique genetic diversity as well as of water for the thirsty plains below. One of the most interesting features of the Vegetation is the ever green shola forest (wet, temperate) from which originate many perennial streams. Sholas are probably one of the most valuable treasures of the hills as prime watershed and as shelter for wildlife, in addition to being the terminal refuge for endangered species of flora and fauna e.g. Loya, Orchids, Nilgiri tahr, Grizzled giant Squirrel etc.,
Museum at Shenbaganur
The Sacred heart College was started in 1895 for the training of young Jesuit priests, in Shenbanganr, which means the village of the ‘shenbangam’. This is a tree endemic ro the South India hill forests, Michelia nilagirica. Early students and professors, mostly European, set themselves the task of studying the flora and fauna of a Palnis. One of them was A. Anglade, and when the Institute of Natural Historu was started within the college, it was named after him.
The museum is open to visitors and has collection of birds, butterflies, mammals and reptiles.
Dolmen Circle
Kodai has been put on the anthropological map by the presence of dolmens and kistavens, dwelling and burial places from the Stone and Iron Ages. This dates some if these stone structures as early as 5000 Bc. Sadly, many if them have been destroyed, both willfully as well as through neglect. Two of the more intact sites are Dolmen Circle on the ghat road not far from Periakulam and the one two kilometers past Pannaikadu village, on the highest point before descending to Pattiveerampatti.
The Apple Research Station
A very pretty location on Fairy Falls Road. Run by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, the station studies new varieties of fruits and vegetables, to propagate those that grow best in Kodaikanal. It has been for fermers.
Mannavanur Sheep Station This was started in the late 60s and functions under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research in Delhi. It is a beautiful campus, 1340 acres of rolling grassland where scientists work on sheep development programmes for South India. Several Varieties of sheep and rabbits have been bred for wool and meat including the angora, chinchilla, white giant and others with equally exotic names. Mannavanur is about an hour’s drive from Kodai and visitors are welcome. See the officer-in-charge at the main office building. This is one of the last extensive chunks of high altitude grassland left in the Palanis, the others have been taken over by eucalyptus, wattle and other plantations. Spottted deer, gaur, wild dogs, sambar and other animals are regular visitors to the campus. The small lake within it has common and morror carp, and otter. Educational institutions can get permission from the officer-in-charge for small groups to camp overnight.
Levinge (Pambar) Stream
Walk Past the Kodai Club and Van Allen Hospital and when abreast of Jaffna House on your left, take the lower road and keep going up, up until you come to La Providence, a long wooden building on your left. Take the small path which runs parallel to the wall, and descend to a rack which takes you down to Levinge Stream. You may get a little lost but that is okay; the stream is clearly heard. If you have the time and strong knees you can star hopping along the boulders downstream towards Pambar Falls. This is a spectacular sight, being the point where there is a sharp drop to the Manjalar reservoir. Another route to the stream and falls is past St. Peter’s Church and then down a steep path which passes and back entrance of pambar House. From here you can boulder-hop downstream to the falls; remember that it takes longer to get back.
Kodaikanal - Tourist Information
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