Kodaikanal (Tamil: கோடைக்கானல்) is a city and a Taluk division of Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Kodaikanal is sometimes referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and is a popular tourist destination. Much of the local economy is Hospitality industry based on national and international tourism. Kodaikanal was established in 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains.

History

The earliest residents of Kodaikanal were the Paliyan tribal people. The earliest specific references to Kodaikanal and the Palani Hills are found in Tamil Sangam literature of the early Christian era.[8] Modern Kodaikanal was established by American Christian missionaries and British bureaucrats in 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains.  In the 20th century a few elite Indians came to realise the value of this enchanting hill station and started relocating here.

Geography

The town of Kodaikanal sits astride on the southern escarpment of the upper Palni Hills, 2,133 meters (6,998 ft), between the Parappar and Gundar Valleys of these hills that form the eastward spur of the Western Ghats on the Western side of South India. It has an irregular basin as its heartland at the centre of which is a 5 kilometers (3 mi) circumference lake.

High hills that slope down into the villages of Pallangi and Vilpatti stand guard on the north of the town. On the east the hill slopes less abruptly into the lower Palnis. A precipitous escarpment facing the Cumbum Valley is on the south. The plateau leading to Manjampatti Valley, Indira Gandhi National Park, the Anamalai Hills and the main body of the Western Ghats is on the west.

The charm of Kodaikanal lies in the vast and placid waters of the Kodaikanal Lake, meadows and grasslands that cover the hillsides, the gigantic Eucalyptus trees and shola forests that flourish in the valleys, the mighty rocks and cascading streams that rise up from the valleys, many cascading streams, high waterfalls and ubiquitous gardens and flower beds in bloom.[10] p.1

Religion:

Since Kodaikanal was founded by the American and European Missionaries, Christian churches are abundant in Kodaikanal. They include Church of South India - opposite Bryant Park, Gorapur, Lake End, La Salette, Lutheran Mission, Sacred Heart - Munjikal, Saint Antony's - Antonyar Kovil street, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Joseph's, Saint Mary's and Saint Peter's - Cockers Walk road. Amongst the most popular is Union Church with a large Tamil congregation and Margaret Eddy Memorial Chapel at Kodai International School with lively services in a typically American style and distintive stone architecture.

There are many Hindu Temples in Kodaikanal including the Durgai Amman Kovil, Kurinji Andavar Kovil, Mariamman Kovil, Observatory Murugan Kovil and Vinayagar Kovil. The Muslim mosques are Ellis Villa and Munjikal. There is an active community of Tibetan Buddhist refugees.