HillStations

Kodaikanal is a popular hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India. It is one of the smaller hill stations covering an area of 21.45 square kilometers. The local languages spoken here are Tamil and English. Since it is situated at a height of 2133 meters above sea level, the weather here is quite pleasant. The best time to visit would be from April to June and from September to October.

Evidence has been found to support the fact that Kodaikanal was home to prehistoric tribes. These tribes were called Paliyans and Pulyans. Later the villagers of Palani settled in the Kodai hills. Lieutenant B. S. Ward was the first European to visit Kodaikanal in 1821. Back in the old days several missionaries came here to flee the heat in Tamil Nadu. Many of these British and American missionaries erected permanent houses up here. Kodaikanal got its first church in the year 1860.

Kodaikanal was made accessible by the railways in the year 1875 from Chennai and Madhurai. A number of tourists visited from far off places as a result of this facility. It was much later in the year 1914 that a road was constructed. But it was only in 1916 that it was used. Before all this came about Kodaikanal mostly attracted visitors only from Madurai. It was a precipitous and arduous ascent. Another route however was from Periakulam to Kistnamma Naik Tope by road via bullock carts and Rom Tope through the hills. This route was known as Coolie Ghat Road. Alternatively people could hire palanquins lugged by hired hands. Another mode was riding atop ponies. However there was a great risk as they were plundered by dacoits. Conversely they feared attacks from wild animals such as panthers, bison and elephants etc.

In current times one can travel there much more comfortably. It is well connected to all the major towns by regular bus services. Once could travel from Dindigul (62 miles), Madurai (84 miles), Bangalore Kodai road, Thiruchirappalli (124 miles), Theni, Kumuli, Palani (40 miles), Kodai road (50 miles) and Coimbatore (106 miles). The railway station is at a distance of almost 80 kilometers.

Kodaikanal is renowned for the beauty of the ancient churches here. Resplendent in Christian glory and heritage there is a church called Mother Salette built as far back as 133 years ago. A unique carnival is held here on 14^th and 15^th August every year. Worshippers from all parts of South India attend this fest each year.

Father Louis Saint Ceer was responsible for building Mother Salette church. He was the first catholic priest to arrive at Kodaikanal. The first time he arrived here was in the year 1852. It took him four days to reach on horseback. He went away only to return in the year 1860. The reason for his return was specifically to construct the Mother Salette church. It so happened, in the year 1958, Father Saint Ceer became ill. He prayed to the Lady of La Salette and recovered soon after. That’s when he pledged he would construct the church in honor of Lady La Salette. Interesting story, isn’t it!

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