Located amidst the folds of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal is one of the most popular hill stations of Tamil Nadu. Nestled between the Parappar and Gundar Valleys, the town is situated on a plateau above the southern escarpment of the upper Palani Hills. Perched at a height of 2133 m above sea level, this hill town is under the administrative control of the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
To the north, Kodaikanal is guarded by high hills that slope down into the villages of Vilpatti and Pallangi, while to the east, they descend to the lower Palani hills. To the south of the destination, lies the Cumbum Valley; while to the west lies a plateau which leads to the Manjampatti Valley and the Anamalai Hills.
The word Kodaikanal in Tamil means Gift of the Forest. Known also as the Princess of Hill Stations, Kodaikanal is one of the most popular holiday destinations in entire South India. The Palaiyar tribal people were believed to be the earliest residents of this place. In addition, the earliest mention of the area in the chronicles of history can be found in Tamil Sangam Literature of the early Christian era.
In 1821, Lt. B.S. Ward was the first British to set foot on this land. In 1860, the first ever church was constructed in this town, which was accompanied by several other developments. These took place between 1860 and 1871, when prominent leaders like the Governors of Madras, Sir Charles Travelyon and Lord Napier visited Kodaikanal. By the 20th century, a few elite Indians came to realise the worth of this hill station and started relocating here.