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Kodaikanal Tourist Places
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 There
is proof of settlement of prehistoric
tribes at Kodaikanal by visible artifacts
such as dolmens homes of great stone slabs.
After the primitive tribes of Paliyans
and Pulyans in 14th century, villagers
of Palani foot hills fled into Kodai hills,
to escape from the oppressive rule in
the plains and also from the invasion
of Tippu Sultan.
The
first European to visit Kodaikanal was
Lt. B.S. Ward a surveyor in the year
1821. His Head Quarters was Vellagavi
village. There were many American missions
in South Tamil Nadu. The foreigners
could not bear the oppressive heat in
Tamilnadu and they faced sickness from
epidemic diseases and consequential
deaths. They wanted neat and healthy
natural surroundings near Madurai to
rest and improve their health. They
were happy to find from the report of
Lt. B.S. Ward about the hills with wonderful
climate and easy accessibility from
Madurai & Periyakulam. Many English
and American missionary people visited
Kodaikanal through various routes. Notable
among them are J C Wroughton -Sub Collector,
C R Cotton Judge and Dr. Weight. Dr.Fane
built two houses in 1845 in the lake
road. More houses were built by British
Govt. The American Missionaries moved
in and built a lot of dwellings in the
southern side which is still there and
now called 'Sunny Side' and 'Shelton'
. In the year 1860, the first church
was built jointly by the Bishop. American
Madurai Mission built the union church
in 1895. From year 1860, there was all
round improvement due to the visit of
several dignitaries. Roman Catholics
came, purchased a bungalow for Jesuit
fathers, as rest house which is now
called La Providence in upper shoal
road. Governors of Madras Sir Charles
Travelyon and Lord Napier visited in
the years 1860 and 1871. One major JM
Partridge of the army introduced Eucalyptus
and wattle trees in the year 1867. Bier
Leverage, collector of Madurai lived
in Pamhar house after his retirement.
Only through his tireless efforts and
initiative the man-made Kodaikanal lake,
the foremost attraction of the tourists
was formed. He arranged boat rides in
the lake. He planned and executed several
approach roads to Kodaikanal. He introduced
several foreign trees and vegetables
such as Pine Forms and Pears. In the
year 1872 Lt. Coaker cut a path along
the ridge of steep south eastern side
which commends a magnificant view of
the plains below. The path was named
after him as Coaker's Walk.
In
Kodaikanal have many tourist places
are Lake, Parks, Coakers Walk, Kurinji
Andavar Temple, Physical Observatory,
40 Miles Rounded Falls, Kukkal Caves,
Pillar Rocks, Dolphin Nose, Vembadi
Peak Palani Hills, Trekking Routes.
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Surya
Tours & Travels
No. 96/56, West Perumal Maistry
Street,
Madurai - 625 001, Tamil Nadu,
India
Mobile: +91 98943 76717 (Surya)
Internet Banking - ICICI Bank
A/C - 601 305013685 Payable
at Madurai |
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