Top things to see and do in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal Lake. The centrepiece of the town and the natural place to start. This artificial, roughly star-shaped lake was created in 1863 by damming three streams and now spans around 45 hectares with a wooded shoreline of about five kilometres. You can hire rowing boats and pedaloes at the boathouse, cycle or walk the lakeside path, or take a horse ride along the shore, and the promenade fills with vendors, snack stalls and families in the evenings. Entry to the shore is free; boat, cycle and horse hire carry modest per-hour charges that rise in peak season, so verify before visiting. Early morning, when mist sits on the water and the crowds haven't arrived, is the loveliest time.
Coaker's Walk. A paved cliff-edge promenade of about one kilometre, built in 1872 and named for the engineer who laid it out, curving along the mountainside just east of the town. On a clear day it opens onto a huge sweep of the plains far below, and in the right damp conditions early risers occasionally catch the Brocken spectre — a rare optical halo cast around your own shadow on the mist. There is a telescope house partway along and a small entry fee; verify before visiting. Come at sunrise for the light and before the fog closes in.
Bryant Park. A landscaped botanical garden beside the lake, laid out in the early 1900s and named after the British officer who developed it. It is a compact, well-tended space of flower beds, hedges, ornamental trees and a glasshouse, and it hosts the town's celebrated horticultural and flower show during the summer festival. It makes an easy, low-effort stop for families. There is a small entry fee, with extra charges for cameras; verify before visiting.
Pillar Rocks. About seven kilometres from the lake, three giant vertical granite boulders rise side by side to heights of around 120 metres, standing shoulder to shoulder above the valley. A viewing area and small garden let you take in the formation, though mist frequently rolls in and hides the rocks entirely, so patience (and a bit of luck with the weather) helps. There is a nominal entry fee; verify before visiting.
Guna Cave (Devil's Kitchen). Near the Pillar Rocks lie a set of deep, dark crevices between the boulders, first recorded by a British officer who dubbed them the "Devil's Kitchen." They were later renamed Guna Cave after the 1991 Tamil film Gunaa, starring Kamal Haasan, was shot here. The caves are dangerous — a series of deaths over the years led authorities to seal the interior — so while the surrounding area and viewpoint have reopened, the entrance to the caves themselves remains closed for safety. Admire them from behind the barriers; do not attempt to climb in.
Green Valley View (formerly Suicide Point). A dramatic viewpoint, around five kilometres from the lake, perched at the edge of a deep gorge with long views over the valley and, on a clear day, a distant reservoir. Once known by the grim older name, it is now fenced and lined with stalls selling homemade chocolate and souvenirs. Entry is nominal or free; verify before visiting. Views depend entirely on the mist.
Bear Shola Falls. A seasonal waterfall set in a reserve forest about three kilometres from town, reputedly named for the bears that once came to drink here. It is at its most impressive just after good rain and can slow to a trickle in the dry months, so temper expectations by season. The short walk through the woods is pleasant. Entry is nominal or free; verify before visiting.
Silver Cascade. A roughly 30-metre waterfall that tumbles right beside the ghat road about eight kilometres before you reach town, formed by the overflow from the Kodaikanal lake. Most visitors stop here on the drive up or down for photos. It is fullest during and just after the monsoon; the water can look murky after heavy rain. There is no formal ticket, though parking and vendors cluster around it.
Dolphin's Nose and Pine Forest. Dolphin's Nose is a flat rock platform that juts out over a sheer drop, reached by a downhill trek of a few kilometres past the village of Vattakanal, rewarding walkers with a spectacular unguarded valley view (mind your footing and children). Nearby, the Pine Forest — a plantation established in the early 1900s — is a photogenic stand of tall, straight pines, long a favourite of film crews and picnickers. Both are free to enter; the walk to Dolphin's Nose is the effort, so wear proper shoes and carry water.
Kurinji Andavar Temple. Built in 1924 on a hill on the town's edge, this temple is dedicated to Murugan in his aspect as lord of the kurinji (hill) landscape, tied to the rare blue flower that gives the region its botanical fame. Beyond its religious significance, the temple grounds command wide views toward the Palani and, on clear days, the Vaigai valley. Entry is free; dress modestly, remove your shoes, and be mindful of worship in progress.
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory. Perched at about 2,343 metres, roughly six kilometres from the bus stand, this historic observatory has been studying the sun since the turn of the twentieth century and is run by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. It maintains a small museum, and public access can be limited to certain days or hours, so confirm opening arrangements before visiting. It is a rewarding detour for anyone interested in science and offers fine high-altitude views.