KODAIKKANAL - Princess Of Hill station
Introduction : Kodaikanal - Princess of hill station which is located in Dindigul district
in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. ,According to the records found in Sangam
literature, the place was first mentioned in the classic Tamil verse of
Kuruntokai and Ettuthokai. In these two poetic works, Kodaikannal was referred
to as the Kurinji hills and served as the backdrop of a love saga between Lord
Murugan and his spouse, Valli, a bee-keepers' daughter.
Kodaikanal Name Meaning : The word Kodaikanal is an amalgamation of two
words: kodai and kanal.Its name in the Tamil language "The Gift of the
Forest".In Tamil pronouncing the first syllable of Kodai - kanal with a
long Tamil 'O', as in koe-dei (கொடை), it means "summer" kanal - whilst the
final two syllables kanal (காணல்) means "to see", rendering Kodaikanal
as a "place to see in summer". Kodaikanal is at the crown of the
Palani Hills and is effectively surrounded and protected by thick forests.
Kodaikanal - History :
Modern Kodaikanal : Kodaikanal was founded in early 19th century
when the era of colonial period British officer Lt.B. S. Ward in 1821, who first
climbed up from the Kunnavan village of Vellagavi to
Kodaikanal in 1821 for a survey of Mountain Ranges of Palani. At that time
palaiyar tribe will living there ,when the British invaded this secluded hills that the world came to know
about their existence. According to his report, the hills were a scenic sight
with an excellent climate, which in turn encouraged the early western settlers
to inhabit this region.
In 1834, J.C Wroughten, the then Sub-Collector of
Madras and C. R. Cotton, Member - Board of Revenue - Madras Presidency went up
the hills from Devadanapatti and built a small bungalow at the head of Adukkam
pass near Shenbaganur. The visit of Dr.Wite in 1836 and his observation about
the Hill Station attracted Botanists to Kodaikanal. First two houses named
Sunnyside and Shelton, on the South Lake Road, were built between 1844-1845 by
American Missionaries.Six more such American families migrated to Kodaikanal.
Gradually, the place became summer retreat for the high class British royals during summer season. CR Cotton Judge, a sub collector, Dr. Weight and Dr. Fane were the main British personalities to construct the houses in this wonderful place. Not only British, but others were also interested in settling down in Kodaikanal and the main among them were German, Irish, Swedish, French and Americans.
Stages of development In Kodaikanal
Places of Top sights in Kodaikanal
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