Kodaikanal - Part 1
After Coaker's walk our next visit was to Pine Tree Forest - A small and beautiful forest full of Pine Trees. Thank God, this forest was free of mist and we could see it clearly. Pine trees are evergreen trees growing 3–80 m tall. Our driver cum tour guide told us that Pine trees are long lived typically reaching ages of 100–1000 years, some even more. Here also you can go for horse ride to see the entire forest. Except pine trees there is not much to see here. Forest was peaceful. We spent half an hour here and moved to our next destination ie, Suicide Point.
Suicide Point, Fog & Misty Clouds :
When our guide told us that he is taking us to Suicide point I was curious and asked him what is the speciality of that place. He said the view of green valley from that point is simply breathtaking. Many people have bid adieu to this world by jumping from this point so the name Suicide Point. I was bit scared to go but when guide described the beauty of the valley, we thought of visiting. Everybody wished mist should not be there. But our wish did not come true :(
When we reached the point and looked below, we could not see anything but fog and misty clouds. We could not even had a glimpse of the valley. It was like we are catching those misty clouds standing on the edge of the suicide point. Disappointment was waiting for us here also.
Pillar Rocks, Water fall and Misty Clouds :
Pillar Rocks and the water fall was our nex destination. Pillar Rocks are huge steep cliffs. There are three huge rocks similar to large pillars, with the middle one resembling Lord Ganesha. Mist played a spoil sport here too and hide our view. We patiently waited some time for mist to clear up. Some how we had a glimpse of these giant rocks. There is a small water fall near the view point of Pillar Rocks. Many tourists were enjoying in the water.
Liril Falls (Pambar Falls):
Our next place was Liril Falls. On the way our tour guide told that the first advertisement of Liril soap was shot here, so the name Liril falls. Before it was known as Pambar falls. I tried to recollect the first ad of Liril soap which I had seen many years ago during the intervals of Mahabharata and Ramayana serial. A blurr picture of the falls appeared in my mind. But I could recollect the famous music tone of the ad la la lalala.... This music tone is still used in the liril soap ad.
When we reached Liril falls I was surprised. I could not believe that ad was shot here. It was a small stream of water and doesnt look like a falls. I again asked the guide to reconfirm whether the ad was shot here. He said during rainy season this falls looks beautiful with full of water. So here is the picture of Liril Falls and Liril soap ad.
Chettiar Park :
Our Next Destination was Chettiar Park. It is a small park but beautifully landscaped and neatly maintained. Loved those colorful flowers. Perfect place for honeymoon couple. We spent some time here and indulged in greenery. Twilight surrounded us and it was time to return to the hotel. With this our one day itinerary of Kodaikanal completed and we started preparing for next day Munnar visit.
Observations & Conclusions :
1. Economy of Kodaikanal is depending on tourism.
2. Never visit Kodaikanal during winter and rainy season. During winter mist will spoil your plan and you can not see any attractions and you can not tolerate deadly cold as we suffered. During rainy season continous rain will not allow you to come out. So best time to explore Kodaikanal is the Summer.
3. It is always better to go for a package tour as you will have a guidance of your tour guide and proper information about places. There wont be any difficulties and confusions in reaching places around the town.
4. There are many other attractions in Kodaikanal. If those are not included in your itinerary then pay a small amount extra say 100 Rs to your tour guide and he will happily take you to those places.
5. If you want to do shopping in Kodaikanal then buy home made chocolates of different varieties and flavours. Almost all shops sell home made chocolates. You can also buy Eucalyptus oil which is available everywhere here as hills of Kodaikanal are full of Eucalyptus trees. And also you can buy warm clothes and winter wears.
6. Kodaikanal was ruled by British and some Christian missionaries earlier. So you can see many old and beautiful churches.
After Coaker's walk our next visit was to Pine Tree Forest - A small and beautiful forest full of Pine Trees. Thank God, this forest was free of mist and we could see it clearly. Pine trees are evergreen trees growing 3–80 m tall. Our driver cum tour guide told us that Pine trees are long lived typically reaching ages of 100–1000 years, some even more. Here also you can go for horse ride to see the entire forest. Except pine trees there is not much to see here. Forest was peaceful. We spent half an hour here and moved to our next destination ie, Suicide Point.
 |
| Pine tree Forest |
When our guide told us that he is taking us to Suicide point I was curious and asked him what is the speciality of that place. He said the view of green valley from that point is simply breathtaking. Many people have bid adieu to this world by jumping from this point so the name Suicide Point. I was bit scared to go but when guide described the beauty of the valley, we thought of visiting. Everybody wished mist should not be there. But our wish did not come true :(
When we reached the point and looked below, we could not see anything but fog and misty clouds. We could not even had a glimpse of the valley. It was like we are catching those misty clouds standing on the edge of the suicide point. Disappointment was waiting for us here also.
Pillar Rocks, Water fall and Misty Clouds :
Pillar Rocks and the water fall was our nex destination. Pillar Rocks are huge steep cliffs. There are three huge rocks similar to large pillars, with the middle one resembling Lord Ganesha. Mist played a spoil sport here too and hide our view. We patiently waited some time for mist to clear up. Some how we had a glimpse of these giant rocks. There is a small water fall near the view point of Pillar Rocks. Many tourists were enjoying in the water.
 |
Giant Pillar Rocks Covered with Mist |
Liril Falls (Pambar Falls):
Our next place was Liril Falls. On the way our tour guide told that the first advertisement of Liril soap was shot here, so the name Liril falls. Before it was known as Pambar falls. I tried to recollect the first ad of Liril soap which I had seen many years ago during the intervals of Mahabharata and Ramayana serial. A blurr picture of the falls appeared in my mind. But I could recollect the famous music tone of the ad la la lalala.... This music tone is still used in the liril soap ad.
When we reached Liril falls I was surprised. I could not believe that ad was shot here. It was a small stream of water and doesnt look like a falls. I again asked the guide to reconfirm whether the ad was shot here. He said during rainy season this falls looks beautiful with full of water. So here is the picture of Liril Falls and Liril soap ad.
 |
| Liril falls where first ad of Liril soap was shot |
 |
| First Ad of Liril Soap..Observe the falls in the background |
Our Next Destination was Chettiar Park. It is a small park but beautifully landscaped and neatly maintained. Loved those colorful flowers. Perfect place for honeymoon couple. We spent some time here and indulged in greenery. Twilight surrounded us and it was time to return to the hotel. With this our one day itinerary of Kodaikanal completed and we started preparing for next day Munnar visit.
 |
| Chettiar Park |
Observations & Conclusions :
1. Economy of Kodaikanal is depending on tourism.
2. Never visit Kodaikanal during winter and rainy season. During winter mist will spoil your plan and you can not see any attractions and you can not tolerate deadly cold as we suffered. During rainy season continous rain will not allow you to come out. So best time to explore Kodaikanal is the Summer.
3. It is always better to go for a package tour as you will have a guidance of your tour guide and proper information about places. There wont be any difficulties and confusions in reaching places around the town.
4. There are many other attractions in Kodaikanal. If those are not included in your itinerary then pay a small amount extra say 100 Rs to your tour guide and he will happily take you to those places.
5. If you want to do shopping in Kodaikanal then buy home made chocolates of different varieties and flavours. Almost all shops sell home made chocolates. You can also buy Eucalyptus oil which is available everywhere here as hills of Kodaikanal are full of Eucalyptus trees. And also you can buy warm clothes and winter wears.
6. Kodaikanal was ruled by British and some Christian missionaries earlier. So you can see many old and beautiful churches.
