Kodai's Magic
To beat the heat of summer we decided to take a week holiday at Kodaikanal(Tamilnadu).It is a well known hill station in Tamilnadu, and much has been written about it..It had been a very long time since we went on a long drive by our car.We left from Chennai at 4 p.m,it took long time amid heavy traffic to reach the outskirts of city.We reached Trichy at night and checked in at hotel.Next day early in the morning we left to Kodai.I was excited about the drive, as there were lots of coconut farms and banana plantations,the drive on express hi way was good as it was four lane and not an hectic drive by four wheeler hence even my dad enjoyed the driving.Yes, Kodaikanal is considered as the princess of the hills- Ooty is the queen of hills- now, why anyone would classify a hill station as female, is beyond me (unless maybe, because it is so very beautiful, and pleasing to the eyes). Usually, mountains and hills are referred to, as male… the Himalayas –for example, and the Govardhan hill are referred to as masculine.
I have had the pleasure of visiting both Ooty and Kodaikanal, and I definitely enjoyed Kodaikanal a lot more. The climate was superb in Ooty, but the place has become too commercialized for my taste. There is so much of a crowd wherever you go; one hardly gets to relish the atmosphere of the place. The biggest disadvantage in Kodai was that it pours almost throughout the year, and the rain does sometimes dampen ones spirit, but in spite of that, we enjoyed the place for its simplicity. The whole city is situated around the lake- but the crowds are catching up with Kodaikanal.
We can see small dam and green carpet of plantations,farms on planes.
We reached our lodge ,which was beautiful just beside a small water stream.Whole day I spent exploring the areas surrounding the hotel, and searching for grand restaurants for next day's lunch as it was my parents Silver jubilee anniversary.The next morning it was all set for city exploration.We left to sterling resorts for lunch, then left for local sight seeing.As it was weekend there were many tourists,the traffic was moving like a toy train at a very slow pace.The main reason for heavy rush in kodai was flower show.We saw pine tree forest which are found in many old films,from there we reached the devils kitchen.As there was lot of rush ,we proceeded to Pillar rock. Where two rocks stood amid the clouds. Next was Kurunji temple(Kumara swamy's temple).It is very small and beautiful Temple from there we can see the residential area of Kodaikanal..
Everyday morning I used to go on a bicycle ride feeling the Kodai's cool breeze on my face, my mom and dad used to go on a stroll. The flower show was arranged in Bryant park beside the lake.there were various flowers arranged in the show.The centre of attraction in the flower show was the Panda bears made with flowers.which attracted many cameras.There was also a special flower called "Kurunji flower" which blooms in every 12 years .There was a forest setting resembling all the wild animals as real.
The main attraction of Kodai is lake.it is roughly star shaped lake.Shikara boating is special attraction which resembles Kashmir house boats.We can try horse riding,there were number of horses carrying kids and adults around the lake.Coaker's walk is very close to the lake.It has paved pedestrian path along the steep slopes of the mountain.From here we can enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the planes.
On whole Kodai is very peaceful place. A person can rent off his stress by just take early morning stroll around lake and green steep valleys make your heart sing a melody.
