India Welcome to Project Kodaikanal, India! We hope you are looking forward to your volunteer trip! While we highly value all of the great work volunteers do in the field with FIMRC staff and community members, we recognize your important opportunity to explore India! Since volunteer activities coincide with normal business hours, Monday through Friday are spent volunteering and Saturday and Sunday are typically spent learning about the local culture or traveling on excursions. While no excursions are required, many volunteers like to take advantage of this opportunity. The following guide includes the most popular excursion options among staff and volunteers. Once on-site, our staff will help you make all arrangements. Please note, excursions as well as the associated transport cost are not included in your program fee paid to FIMRC. History & Culture India is a country located in Southern Asia. It is the seventh largest country by area, and the second-most populous country in the world, with over 1.2 billion people. India was originally home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization before the land was utilized by the British in the early 18th century for its commercial goods. Four world religions originated in India throughout its history- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism- all of which have contributed to India’s colorful and diverse culture. After a struggle for independence marked by non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi, India gained Kodaikanal its independence in 1947. Today, India operates under a federal republic government and is marked by a burgeoning economy. Did You Know... • The capital of India is New Delhi • Indian cuisine is very popular throughout the world, and characterized by rice dishes, such as Pongal • The official language in India is English, but Hindi is the most widely spoken language and the primary tongue of 41% of India’s people. There is a plethora of other dialects spoken in the country. • The third tallest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga, lies on the border of India and Nepal 1 India Excursions 1 Excursions The following excursions include the most popular options among volunteers and staff. Please note, excursions as well as the associated transport cost are not included in your program fee paid to FIMRC. Prices listed when available and are subject to change, 1 Kodaikanal Lake (Kodai Lake) The Kodai Lake has immensely contributed to the beauty and attraction of the hill station of Kodaikanal. Located about 3 km from the main bus stand of the city, the lake covers an area of almost 60 acres and has a star- 2 like shape, enhancing its beauty. The lake is bordered by a well-maintained road, making it suitable for transportation by car or hike. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and horse rides near the lake- or, they can simply relax and enjoy its picturesque views. 2 Kukkal Caves The Kukkal Caves are located at a distance of 40 km from Kodaikanal, and are a good place to hike and explore the surrounding areas of the hill station. In order to get to the caves, visitors walk through geranium plantations and through a pine forest, ending at the Kukkal forest rest house where the caves are located in close vicinity. The caves were settled by some of India’s earliest civilizations and are beautiful examples of India’s multiple natural landscapes. It is recommended to get a local tour guide to take you to the caves, as they are quite hidden. 3 Meenakshi Temple 3 The shrine of Meenakshi in Madurai, located about 115 km from Kodaikanal, was built during the reign of Chadayvarman Sundara Pandyan in the 12th century. The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of Islamic conquerors, but was completely restored in the late 14th century when Hindu Kings came back to power. The temple has five entrances and has beautiful sculptures and stunning, ancient architecture! 4 Bear Shola Falls The Bear Shola Falls is an elevated waterfall in the reserve forest located 3 km (1.9 mi) from the Kodaikanal Bus stand. Bear Shola Falls is a wonderful touring spot in the area, named for the bears that used to go to the falls for water. The final sketch close to the falls is a hiking trek that is ideal for a day’s outing. In order to reach these waterfalls, you need to cross through 4 some rocky terrain; therefore it is essential to obtain a suitable mode of transportation or use a tour operator. 5 Kurinji Andavar Temple This temple located 3 km from Kodai Lake is a famous shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. “Kurinji Andavar” translates to “God of Hill,” as Lord Murugan is thought to protect Kodaikanal. From this temple, visitors can experience the role religion plays in India as well as take in views of Palani and the Vaigai dam. 2 India Weekday Excursion Options 6 6 Kodaikanal Wax Museum A new attraction in Kodaikanal, the Wax Museum is a unique destination that offers two floors of wax statues and scenes. There are 30+ statues depicting famous Indians and specific scenes that have taken place in history. This is an interesting destination in Kodaikanal that is easy to get to after a day at the site! Pricing: $0.50 (US) ~ 30 (INR) 7 Madurai Tour Take a tour of the beautiful historic city of Madurai, located about 120 km south east of Kodai, in a colorful van provided by the Madurai Sightseeing 7 Company. Experience the beautiful architecture of the temples and museums and get a taste of the culture and people of Madurai. After the half-day tour, visitors are given the opportunity to shop for one hour at select outlets, where they can purchase authentic Indian handicrafts and souvenirs. Pricing: $7.00 (USD) ~ 400 (INR); www.maduraisightseeing.com 8 Green Valley View Located 5 kilometers from Kodaikanal, Green Valley View offers a beautiful view of the plains, valleys (5000 ft drop!) and hills surrounding the hill station. It is extremely picturesque and one of the best places to visit in Kodaikanal! It is recommended to visit this site during the day for the best views of the valley. Pricing: Many tour operators offer package deals to see all the local sites 8 priced at about $27 (USD) ~ 1570 (INR). A popular tour operator offering this kind of package is Pioneer Tours: www.pioneertours.in/kodaikanal_sight_ seeing.html 9 Shenbaganur Museum Shenbaganur Museum is the Museum of Natural History of Kodaikanal. It is located 5.6 km from Kodaikanal Lake, and contains numerous items marking the natural history of the area since the 1920s. The Museum preserves and exhibits archaeological remains and the endemic flora and fauna of the Palni Hills, discovered mainly by students and professors of the Philosophical seminary of Jesuits, all called Sacred Heart College, over the years. The museum also houses two maps of the Palani range and Kodaikanal. The museum is open 10 am-11:30 am and 3 pm- 5pm daily. Entry is free. 9 3 India Excursions 10 10 Boat Rides in Periyar Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and tiger reserve is a National Park in Kerala, located approximately 285 km from Kodaikanal. The trip could take anywhere between 6-8 hours, so traveling to Kerala is more of a weekend excursion. The National Park is comprised of rainforests and a variety of wildlife, including bison, deer, wild dogs, leopards, primates, and elephants. The forest department organizes boat rides on the lake for tourists who visit the sanctuary. The boats will take you along the lake, where you will be able to take in the scenery and maybe even spot an elephant bathing! The boats hold between 50 and 150 people, and tours occur at 7 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. It is recommended to purchase your tickets at least two hours in advance in order to ensure your seat. 10 Pricing: $5 (USD) ~ 300 (INR) 11 Coaker’s Walk About ½ km away from Kodaikanal, Coaker’s Walk is a narrow pedestrian path constructed in 1872. It runs along the edge of steep slopes of Mt. Nebo and offers a spectacular view of the plains below. On a cloudless, clear day, one can enjoy various views of Dolphin’s Nose in the south, the Pambar River valley in the South East, the city of Madurai and a bird’s eye view of Periyakulam. Be aware of the phenomenon called “Brachem Spectre”: a lucky person that is able to see his/her shadow in the clouds with a rainbow halo. This only occurs when the sun is at an exact position behind the clouds and mist! There is also an observatory along the walk with a telescope where you can further take in the sights. 11 12 Pillar Rocks The Pillar Rocks are three large boulders that stand 400 ft. (122 m) high that offer an incredible viewpoint of the hills and valleys below. The space between the pillar rocks is known as the Devil’s Kitchen. 13 Additional Tips from Trip Advisor From waterfalls, scenic hikes, to pristine lakes, Kodaikanal is a beautiful place that offers volunteers many great options for adventure. For additional trips from travelers, please feel free to check out the list of the Top 30 activities in Kodaikanal from Trip Advisor. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g303890-Activities-Kodaikanal_ Tamil_Nadu.html 12 4 This concludes the volunteer excursion menu for Project Kodaikanal, India. Activities can be arranged with our staff upon your arrival. Please note the availability of excursions depends on your trip length, time of year, and volunteer schedule.