This charming little hill station has quite a history, and is said to have been founded by American missionaries in 1845. The original ethnic tribes who lived here were the Paliyans Those were the times when people braved the forests and traveled by bullock-cart and palanquins. Even today, some of the Paliyan community can be seen near Kukal Cave With the missionaries came church properties, and several of the then ruling princes built their summer holiday-homes. Today, it has developed into a township with all the leisure amenities like well rated hotels, clubs and an international school of high repute.
If you choose to drive into Kodaikanal from Palani, you will be rewarded with some fantastic views, as the vegetation changes gradually from palm-fringed paddy fields to wild brush with flaming blossoms to plantations interspersed with stately silver oaks. Going up the ascent, banana trees give way to tall eucalyptus trees, and the whole countryside is dotted with wildflowers in rainbow hues. The pride of Kodaikanal is the Kurinji-Flower, which blossoms once in twelve years The view of the Amaravathi Dam en route, is a highpoint in the drive, as also the frothing roar of the Silver Cascade waterfall. Kodai town itself has shady orchards of pear trees, with a dazzling lake, and along with quaint buildings with old fashioned gabled roofs, this hill station has a charisma that remains etched in memory.
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