How to get to Kodaikanal....the heaven on earth...! !

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hills, hills, hills and incredibly narrow roads. A taxi to darshan is the usual

practice if staying in one of these other Hotels. There are Western Hotels at

Kodaikanal with charges somewhat similar to Hotels here in Australia. The top

two are the Carleton and Sterling, standard Hilton Hotel type accommodation.

Hilltop is very good and somewhat less, approx 750-1000 rupees per night. There

are many other hotels and guesthouses available in Kodaikanal. Here is one

suggestion: Lilly's Valley Resort on Sivanadi Road (ph. 04542-240558). Lilys

Valley Website http://www.lillysvalley.com/ There's a wonderful kitchen that

can cater to Western taste buds. We have our own water source (spring) that

trickles (or flows depending on the season) into a holding tank and that's the

water that's pumped to the kitchen and rooms. We drink that water boiled.

Darshan is in the mornings; you can walk from the township, around the lake to

the darshan queue, which is on Lake Road itself. Men line up on the footpath

adjacent to the lake, Ladies line up on the other side of the gate, on the

grassy side of the road. Ladies often sit in chairs byt the roadside. Of late,

seva dal have stalls either side of the gate, and as you pass, you put your

shoes in and receive a chit. There are only 4 lines each side

at Kodai, and numbers are in fact given out. Men on cycles or young boys with

Canteens walk up and down the lines selling small plastic cups of tea. You can

expect to stand in line upto about 8AM or thereabouts when the gates are opened

and the lines called in. Lines generally begin to be formed around 6AM, and

there is either silence of jollity in the lines... Like Puttaparthi and

Brindavan, there is a small security check as you pass the gate; therafter, it

is a dash aor a sedate walk up the STEEP driveway, to the lines. Men to the

left of the front of the house, ladies to the right, guests along the far right

wall. There are chairs for those who need. Darahan is a small affair under a

simple canopy, and ladies also sit in an island in front of the garden. Unlike

Puttaparthi or

Whitefield, all remain inside and seated for darshan until its full completion.

If groups go for interview, all remain seated. By this time, pullovers, shawls

and all the extra coverings are removed as the sun is out and quite warm. When

Interviews are complete, Baba emerges, and goes inside the main building;

thereafter, darshan is over. After Dashan, Swami often goes for a drive around

Kodaikanal; perhaps a leisurely drive, perhaps a visit to an orphange, or to a

home, or to another venerable place. One can often see a procession of cars

leaving Sai Sruthi perhaps half an hour or so after darshan, with Swami's car

in the midst. So if you wish, it is useful to come back after some time and

walk down Lake Road, and wait for Swami. By Air... The nearest airport

is at Madurai (120 km from Kodaikanal). By Rail... The nearest railway

stations are the Kodai Road Railway Station (80-km) and the Palani Railway

Station (64-km). Prime Attractions of Kodaikanal Berijam

LakeBerijam Lake located at a distance of 21-km from Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu is

one among the beautiful lakes of South India. Spread over an area of 24

hectares, the lake is star shaped and is known for its pure water. Kodaikanal

TrekkingHead for Kodaikanal in the Palani Hills for small-time trekking. You can

take short treks and hikes to tourist spots close by as well to local

viewpoints. Overnight treks are also possible here where one can spend a night

at a local village. Fairs & Festivals - Kodaikanal

sans ms" color="#8000ff">There are several beautiful hill stations in Tamil

Nadu. With the Summer Festivals, the hills are even hospitable to welcome the

visitors. The summer festival is held in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the

evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud.

Cultural programs, adventure sports, boat races, flower and fruit shows add to

the splendour of the festival. Leisure - Kodaikanal ShoppingThe famous

places to shop in Kodaikanal are the Khadi Emporium, Handloom Co-operative

Stores and Travancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium, Kurinji

Mini Supermarket, Spencer and Company. Entertainment The Golf Club is located

5-km from the Kodaikanal Lake. Boating and Angling facilities are available at

the Kodaikanal Lake. Picturesque trek routes are available in and around

Kodaikanal. For details, contact: The Trek Director, Department of Tourism,

Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. General Information -

KodaikanalSTD Code :

04542 Population2,133 metres. ClothingLight woollen in the evening during

summer and heavy woollen during winter. Altitude2,133 metres. Location120

Km From Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Best TimeApril To June And September To October.

LanguagesTamil and English. For hotels in Kodaikanal...Please visit....

http://www.hotelstamilnadu.com/kodaikanal.htm With Love for Swami and this

beautiful paradise called Kodaikanal...! ! Preetham Sai P.V.