Kodaikanal

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Kodaikanal (Tamil: கொடைக்கானல் Koṭaikkāṉal [ koɖai ˌ k ː a ː nəl ], short Kodai ) is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the Palani Mountains at approximately 2200 meters above sea level and has about 37,000 inhabitants ( 2011 census ). In addition to Udagamandalam in the Nilgiri Mountains, Kodaikanal is the most famous mountain resort ( Hill Station) Tamil Nadu and especially during the summer months because of its cool mountain climate, a popular holiday destination.

Geography

Kodaikanal is located in the west of Tamil Nadu in the Palani Mountains, a spur of the Western Ghats. The city is on a plateau at 2,200 meters above sea level surrounded by the forested mountains of the Palani Hills. The center of town is an artificial lake, the Kodaikanal Lake.

Kodaikanal is part of Dindigul district and is capital of the taluks (sub - district ) Kodaikanal. The Dindigul district capital is located about 100 kilometers east in the lowlands. The nearest major town is Madurai 120 km to the southeast. Chennai, the capital of the state, is located 520 km from Kodaikanal.

Climate

Because of its altitude, Kodaikanal has a mountain climate with moderate temperatures. At the same time, the seasonal temperature variations are low because of the location in the tropics. The average high temperature is 19.8 ° C in summer and 17.3 ° C in winter, the average low temperature is 11.3 ° C in summer and 8.3 ° C in winter. The annual precipitation is 770 millimeters on average.

History

The Nilgiri mountains were originally inhabited by the adivasi tribe of Paliyan and later immigrated from the lowland farmers. During the British colonial period British colonial officials and Western missionaries in the 19th century discovered the climatically favored Palani Mountains as a retreat where they could escape the heat of the plains. The first Westerner who visited Kodaikanal, 1821 was the British Lieutenant BS Ward. 1845 American missionaries founded the settlement Kodaikanal as a mission station. In the following years, other Westerners in Kodaikanal settled, so the place in 1901 already had 1,912 permanent residents. There were also numerous summer visitors, who spent only the hot season in Kodaikanal. 1899 to Kodaikanal city (municipality ) has been charged. Early as 1875 Kodai Road railway station was established at the foot of the Palani Hills to facilitate access to Kodaikanal. The climb to Kodaikanal but still had to be tackled on foot or with the help of carriers. It was not until 1914 Kodaikanal is connected by the construction of the Kodai Ghat Road to the road network.

After the Indian independence in 1947 left most British India. Instead, Kodaikanal developed into a popular holiday destination for Indian domestic tourists. With the continued growth of the Indian middle class to Kodaikanal is enjoying increased popularity.

Attractions

The star-shaped lake Kodaikanal Lake in the center of the city in 1863 created artificially. It is 24 hectares in size and is bordered by a five-kilometer long riverside path. Many tourists use it for boat trips or walks. On the eastern shore of the lake is the Botanical Garden Bryant 's Park.

The biggest attraction Kodaikanals likely to be the mountain scenery. On the steep slope on the south side Kodaikanals the one -kilometer walk Coaker 's Walk runs along. In clear weather, offer spectacular views from here until well into the plane. Other famous scenic spots in and around Kodaikanal are Green Valley View five kilometers away from the lake, Silent Valley View and the Rock Dolphin's Nose in eight kilometers distance. Seven kilometers away from the lake are the Pillar Rocks, a spectacular rock formation of three 122 meter high cliff. Waterfalls in the area Kodaikanals are the 55 meter high Silver Cascade and Bear Shola Falls.

At the highest point Kodaikanals 2,343 meters above sea level is the Kodaikanal Observatory, founded in 1899, a sun- physical Observatory of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The telescope with 20 cm aperture width is still used occasionally the observation of comets and occultations. At other times it is open to visitors.

As a relic of the colonial era Kodaikanal has many churches. The most famous church Kodaikanals is the La Salette Church, which is dedicated to Our Lady of La Salette. The most important Hindu temple in Kodaikanal is the Kurinji - Andavar temple. He is the god Murugan dedicated in his capacity as Lord of the mountainous region ( Kurinji ).

Economy

The main industry is tourism Kodaikanals. Known as the ' Princess of the mountain resorts "( Princess of the Hill Stations ) dubbed Kodaikanal is situated next to the Nilgiri mountains Udagamandalam ( Ooty), the most important mountain resort ( Hill Station) in Tamil Nadu and one of the most popular destinations in the state. In 2011 Kodaikanal was visited by 7.9 million tourists. The trend in visitor numbers is how, rapidly rising all over Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal is mainly visited by local tourists and is especially popular with wedding couples. The peak season is the hot season from April to June, when many domestic tourists the heat in the plains in the cooler mountain areas to escape.

Between 1984 and 2001, a factory of Hindustan Unilever Group in Kodaikanal thermometer ago. The improper disposal of waste of the factory has led to serious environmental damage caused by mercury emissions.

Transport and Infrastructure

Kodaikanal is accessible only by road. The 57 km long Kodaikanal Ghat Road ( State Highway 156) west of Batlagundu begins at the foot of the Palani Hills and runs from south to Kodaikanal, Palani Ghat Road connects the Kodaikanal with the located on the northern edge of the mountains Palani. The road from Kodaikanal west across the main ridge of the Western Ghats to Munnar away in the neighboring federal state of Kerala, which docked in 1942 as the British evacuation route for fear of a Japanese invasion of India, was closed in 1990.

The Kodai Road railway station is a two hour bus ride away in the plane on the railway line from Chennai to Madurai. The nearest airport is Madurai ( 135 km ).

According to the hard -to-reach location Kodaikanals imported from the rest of India goods and groceries are more expensive than elsewhere. The post shall be extended by the remote location. The city's infrastructure is well developed, there are retail stores, restaurants, hotels, banks and two hospitals. Kodaikanal has a larger number of educational institutions, including the prestigious Kodaikanal International School, which was opened as a Christian school with the former name Highclerc School on July 1, 1901 for the education of the children of American missionaries.