17 Best Things To Do In Kodaikanal, India

How to Get to Kodaikanal

Madurai Airport is closest to Kodaikanal at 120 kilometers (74.56 miles) away from the hill station. Kodai road is the nearest railway station to Kodaikanal which is 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) away. The Coimbatore Junction is the nearest major railway station. Kodaikanal can also be reached by bus from cities across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Buses are also available from Bangalore.

1. Bear Shola Falls

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

After going through a hiking trail through a forest, hikers will find themselves in the presence of Bear Shola Falls. This small yet beautiful waterfalls is most active during the rainy seasons but don’t let that fact diminish its beauty during other seasons.

Very fitting that at the end of a hike through the woods, travelers will find a beautiful and natural wonder mostly untouched by civilization. This natural setting gives hikers a nice place to sit down and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature while having a nice picnic by the water.

Bear Shola Falls

Address: 6FQH+VC7, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624103, India

2. Green Valley View Point

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

From the name itself, Green Valley View Point offers hikers and nature lovers a wonderful view of the surrounding plains, valleys, hills, and Vaigai Dam. Watch your step, though, as the valley has a 5,000-foot (1,524-meter) drop. Monkeys also like to go around the path leading to the valley so watch your things as well.

There are also several shops and food stores that offer a plethora of homemade chocolates, ornaments, and flowers for travelers to have as a memento of their journey.

Green Valley View Point

Address: Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101, India

3. CSI Christ the King Church

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Devout Christians will be happy to know that CSI Christ the King Church offers not only a place of prayer but also a peaceful setting for devotees to concentrate. The caretakers of this historic church have done a magnificent job in maintaining the structure throughout the years.

Even if you’re not a devout Christian, this church is still a worthwhile visit as its serene surroundings and ambiance make it a great place to simply sit down and admire the scenery for a bit.

CSI Christ the King Church

Address: Club Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101, India

4. Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Museum

Any traveler with at least a passing interest in the sun and celestial bodies that make up our galaxy should visit Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Museum. Connected to the solar observatory itself, this museum showcases exhibits, fun facts, and other educational information about the solar system. Visitors are also able to stargaze using the museum’s telescope.

With the museum a bit far off from the hustle and bustle of the city, visitors are not only treated to a fun and educational time but also a peaceful one as visitors take in the soothing atmosphere of both the stars and the forest around them.

Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Museum

Address: Observatory Rd, near Govt Rose Garden, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624103, India

Website: Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 12pm, 2pm - 4pm; Sat: 9am - 12pm; Sun: 9am - 12:30pm

5. Bryant Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

East of Kodai Lake is Bryant Park, a recreational area that features several amenities and facilities that encourage visitors to either sit back and relax or do some fun outdoor activities. Decorated with varying species of plants, shrubs, and flowers, the park features a picnic area where families and groups can sit down and have a nice picnic by the lake.

There are also walking and cycling paths for those looking for a place to jog, power walk, or bike. By the lake area is a small boat rental store that visitors can use to explore the man-made lake.

Bryant Park

Address: Lower Shola Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101, India

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

6. Poombarai Village View

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The name speaks for itself. Poombarai Village View is a scenic spot on a hill that overlooks the beautiful Poombarai Village. After trekking up the hill, it’s only fitting that visitors are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the entire village.

Words are not enough to describe the magnificent beauty of the sight and this spot is the perfect place to have a picnic. Do be careful, though, as the forests are not that dense due to the area being converted to farmland which makes it kind of hot during normal days.

Poombarai Village View

Address: MDR117, Tamil Nadu 624103, India

7. Moir Point

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located just before a forest, Moir Point offers visitors a magnificent view of the valley and mountain. It is considered one of the most crowded places in Kodaikanal. There is a monument built that depicts the contributions of Sir Thomas Moir in constructing the Goschen Road in 1929.

Before it was renamed after Sir Thomas Moir, this attraction was once known as Fore Mile Road and has been a popular tourist destination for decades, especially considering that its serene environment and magnificent views make for a perfect place to sit down and relax or have a photo session with friends and family.

Moir Point

Address: Ten Mile Round, Tamil Nadu 624101, India

Opening hours: 6am - 5pm (daily)

8. Kodaikanal Lake

This beautiful man-made lake is located at the center of the Kodaikanal city. It is an excellent place with a lot of activities around. You can participate in cycling, horse riding, boating or simply sitting near the edge of the lake and enjoying the view. The entire circle of the lake is approximately 6 kilometers in summers. It is crowded due to the rush for boating. The morning walk along the lake amidst mist descending from the surrounding mountains is fantastic. You can also get rented cycles for 30 minutes to one hour. Horse rides are also available. With a big park, good shopping area and lots of street eateries, it is an excellent place to be in Kodaikanal.

Kodaikanal Lake

Address: 3 km (1.86 miles) from the bus stand

Website: Kodaikanal Lake

9. Coaker's Walk

Located exactly opposite Bryant Park, it’s a 1 kilometer walk along forests and flowers. It is a photographer’s delight with a spectacular view of floating clouds and a unique landscape below. There are vendors along the walk selling cheap woolen clothes and handcrafted items like earrings of good quality at a very reasonable price.

Coaker’s Walk is a paradise for nature lovers. The scenic beauty is awesome and if you are lucky you can have a glimpse of exotic birds. The Telescope House offers a beautiful view of the valley and its nearby towns. It is good to have the walk around 7 a.m. when the park opens.

Coaker's Walk

Address: 1 km (0.62 miles) from the lake of Kodaikanal

Website: Coaker’s Walk

10. Pillar Rocks

This iconic place has three sets of gigantic rocks which look like pillars emerging from the mist. These beautiful and gigantic rocks are at their best when the sky is clear. As the pillar stands vertically by the side, there is a gap in between, which is a part of Guna Caves. The huge rock coming out from the Earth is fantastic to see. Many times, these rocks are surrounded by mist. One has to wait patiently for the mist to get lifted.

Pillar Rocks

Address: 5 Km (3.10 miles) from the Kodai Lake

11. Pine Forest

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This place is a real beauty of Mother Nature. The spectacle of tall pines trees is beautiful. The entire place is pinkish in color and a walk amidst the huge pine trees gives a very different kind of feel. A small waterfall is also there inside the forest. The water is clean; however, the path is rugged and slippery. It is a nice place to roam around and click pictures. One can do horse riding there.

Pine Forest

Website: Pine Forest

12. Kurinji Andavar Temple

It is a beautiful lord Murugan temple, the God of Hills as per the Tamil literature, located on the top of the hill. The calm and peaceful temple offers a beautiful view of Vaigai Dam and Palani Hills. The temple is also a venue for the summer festival, which is celebrated in the month of May every year. During this festival, tourists flock to the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Muruga.

Kurinji Andavar Temple

Address: Located in Pommbarai village near to Kerala border

Website: Kurinji Andavar Temple

13. Dolphin's Nose

It is basically a rock at the end of a cliff resembling a Dolphin Nose. It’s a lovely 15 minute of trekking around 1.5 kilometers down to Dolphin Nose and Echo Rock from Vattakanal. The valley view and slopes of Western Ghats are mesmerizing. It is advisable to wear proper trekking shoes and make sure you have lots of fluids with you and some dry snacks. Food stalls are there in between but are quite expensive.

Dolphin's Nose

Address: 8 km (4.97 miles) from the main city of Kodaikanal

Website: Dolphin’s Nose

14. Silent Valley

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

It is an amazing place with the smell of Nilgiri and cold wind blowing amidst the misty environment. The approach road to the valley is very scenic. The view of the hill from this place is quite beautiful. The Berijam lake area further adds to the beauty of the place. The best time to make a visit to this valley is during early morning because after the morning it is so misty that you cannot see anything.

Silent Valley

Website: Silent Valley

15. Shembaganur Museum of Natural History

It is a small but a wonderful Museum with a collection of more than 100 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. The museum also has fossils, shells and coins. Stuffed animals, birds, reptiles and bone parts of large fish species are very interesting and informative. Artifacts made by the ancestors of the Paliyan Tribes can also be found there.

Shembaganur Museum of Natural History

Address: 5 km (3.10 miles) from Kodaikanal Lake

16. Silver Cascade Falls

This waterfall is on the way to Kodaikanal from Batlagundu and is the first attraction. The fall looks great in spite of less water. A bath in this fall is considered good owing to the presence of various minerals in the water. The view is wonderful and “local chocolates,“ "sweaters,” and “coats” at cheaper rates are also available.

Silver Cascade Falls, Kodaikanal

Address: 8 km (4.97 miles) from Kodaikanal

Website: Silver Cascade Falls

17. Subrahmanya temple (Kartikeya Temple)

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located on a scenic cliff, the 3,000 year old beautiful temple has a statue of Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha inside the altar. The serenity and constant chanting of Lord Subrahmanya welcome the visitors and one can see the famous Murugan temple of Palani from the hilltop. The cool climate of Kodaikanal and the calmness of the temple soothe the body and soul.

Behind the temple, there is a hall where free food is provided to the poor daily. There are many handicraft shops around the temple available at reasonable rates.

Subrahmanya temple (Kartikeya Temple)

Address: 18 km (11.18 miles) from Kodaikanal

Website: Subrahmanya temple

Popular hideaway for the torrid and humid climate

A chocolate lover’s paradise, Princess of Hill Stations Kodaikanal offers myriad adventure activities like boating, trekking, horse riding and cycling. The beauty of the place can be best experienced then described.