Visiting Kodaikanal: A 2021 Travel Guide
Kodaikanal, known as the “Princess of the Hills” is a hill station nestled in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Come summer, tourists from all over South India flock to this scenic paradise, where natural and manmade wonders co-exist. Kodaikanal’s primary income source is its tourism industry. In recent years however, it has become increasingly polluted and overcrowded.
I first made my visit here from Chennai all the way back in 2004. Aside from a few hazy memories and photographs taken at Bryant Park & Coakers Walk, I have no further recollections or talismans of this trip. In March 2021, I had the opportunity to revisit this place with family. This being the lull period between the first and second wave of COVID-19, we managed to visit during a time when handfuls of tourists were just venturing out again. Owing to the lack of activity and business during the first wave, we witnessed Kodaikanal in its prime.
To me, Kodaikanal is full of simple treats — lazy evening strolls, cycling by the Kodaikanal Lake, sampling the local chocolate and chasing sunrises at different vantage points. In this blog, I want to take you through the highlights of my Kodaikanal trip — must-visit places, among other travel tips relating to commute, stay and the like…
