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Places of special interest in Kodaikanal

Dolmen Circle

Kodai has been put on the anthropological map by the presence of dolmens and kistavens, dwelling and burial places from the Stone and Iron Ages. This dates some if these stone structures as early as 5000 Bc. Sadly, many if them have been destroyed, both willfully as well as through neglect. Two of the more intact sites are Dolmen Circle on the ghat road not far from Periakulam and the one two kilometers past Pannaikadu village, on the highest point before descending to Pattiveerampatti.

The Observatory

The Kodaikanal Observatory is one of the oldest int the workd, and has been functioning since 1898. It is a well equipped, productive laboratory and has made its mark in research. In 1909 its director Evershed discovered the phenomenon of radial motion in sunspots; this is known as the Evershed Effect. The Observatory is open to visitors on Friday mornings.

The Apple Research Station

A very pretty location on Fairy Falls Road. Run by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, the station studies new varieties of fruits and vegetables, to propagate those that grow best in Kodaikanal. It has been for fermers.

Mannavanur Sheep Station

This was started in the late 60s and functions under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research in Delhi. It is a beautiful campus, 1340 acres of rolling grassland where scientists work on sheep development programmes for South India. Several Varieties of sheep and rabbits have been bred for wool and meat including the angora, chinchilla, white giant and others with equally exotic names. Mannavanur is about an hour’s drive from Kodai and visitors are welcome. See the officer-in-charge at the main office building. This is one of the last extensive chunks of high altitude grassland left in the Palanis, the others have been taken over by eucalyptus, wattle and other plantations. Spottted deer, gaur, wild dogs, sambar and other animals are regular visitors to the campus. The small lake within it has common and morror carp, and otter. Educational institutions can get permission from the officer-in-charge for small groups to camp overnight.

Bryant and Chettiar Parks

Bryant Park, named after the Forest officer who designed and laid it out in 1980, is situated on the lake. It has a wide selection of flowers and ferns, and residents oftern “shop” here for special varieties if plants. This is where the flower and vegetable show is held in May; enormous cabbages, carrots and potatoes from neighbouring villages compete for the prizes. Being so centrally located, Bryant Park is a hot tourist spot, especially on weekends and during the season. Chettiar Park, on the way to the Kurinji Temple, is more quiet.

Kodaikanal Golf Club

It you are an avid golfer, you will be interested in what the honorary secretary of the KGC writes, “The Kodaikanal Golf Club was first started in 1895 by a handful of dedicated golfers. To start with there were only 9 holes and the putting surfaces were browns, In the early fifties it was extended to 18 holes and 1986 the putting surfaces were relaid with greens.
“The course itself is situated on verdant green slopes and hollows at an elevation of about 7000 ft. A golfer teeing early in the morning is more than likely to come across herds of wild bison or gaur. Otherwise wild boar and barking deer are plentiful. However the only danger to the golfer are the monkeys who often pick up the unwary golf ball and smartly run up a tree!

“While the club is run by its members for its members, tourists and other non-members are allowed to play, by either becoming temporary members or by paying the required green fees. The only proviso is that they have a handicap or required to take lessons before the are let loose on the course.”