From Hasanur till Palani almost 200 kms, it was raining. It was an amazing experience driving in the DIMBAM Ghat in that heavy rainfall. Since we were getting down from Ghats, i was a bit nervous too while driving.
Before taking a Bypass road to Kodai, this was the view of Kodai. Mountains were sorrounded by thick clouds, as you can see in the above & some pics below.
This is the Palani bypass to kodai. Right deviation here deviates you from the NH209, after driving for 5-8 kms you will get to see Palani Hill to your LEFT, be alert @ this point, You will get a Junction ahead in this by pass road, where 4 Roads join. You need to take a right deviation again(Unfortunately,there are no sign-board(s) @ this junction, i dont know why!!!).
If u take the Palani By-Pass from NH209 & if you miss the right deviation @ the above said junction, you will reach Dindigul and then you will go to Kodai by the Other side of the Hills which will make you travel 100 kms more from the regular palani - kodai road, which is just 65 Kms.
I didn't take the deviation & i drove almost 100 kms extra :(
I enjoyed the driving though :)
Palani - Kodai direct road is 65 kms, but as i felt(while getting down), this Ghat section is very risky & tough when you are especially climbing, if the weather is very good(No mist or rain) prefer this road, otherwise take the dindigul road and then go by other side of the hills.
clouds covering the Kodai hills...
what we saw & experienced was really DIVINE, clouds covering the entire Kodai hills, the climate... Unexplainable!
Kodai Lake View...
Having some fresh,nice fruits...
Pine tree forest(shooting spot)...
Payya, NT, Vaale, Sherry, Me. (L2R).
Guna Caves.
Suicide Point..
Beautiful landscapes...
Pillar rocks.
The tree in the center ,is about 500 yrs old tree.
Name : Syzygium densiflorum
Family : Myrtaceae
Details : It is the wildrelative of cultivated Naval. Seeds, tendre leaves used for diabetes ; Bark used for Rheumatism.
Coaker's walk..
Got the OM symbol Mehendi in coaker's walk..
Kodai view from Coaker's walk...
My Lovely SANTRO...
Place where we stayed (Cloud 9 hotel).
Silver cascade waterfalls...
This junction is 12 kms from Kodai, from here if you take left u will reach palani which is 53 kms from here. if u opt to go straight u can go to Madurai/Trichy/Dindigul.
While getting down to palani, the Ghats were covered by Fog completely. It was an amazing, unforgettable driving. (see below to know, how mist made my driving experience unforgettable)
Route:
Mysore - Nanjangud - Chamarajnagar - Atgulipura - Punjur - Hasanur - Satyamangalam - Punjai puliyampati - Annur - saravanampatti - Coimbatore - Pollachi - udalampettai - Palani Road - Palani Bypass to Kodaikanal.(NH 209)
Distance:
1. Mysore - Coimbatore -> 200Kms.(Road is very worst till the TN border, once you enter the TN, its awesome road...)
2.Coimbatore - Pollachi -> 45Kms
3.Pollachi - Palani -> 67Kms
4.Palani - Kodai -> 67 Kms
Mysore - Kodai -> 375 Kms(Thru NH209)
From Mysore you can reach Kodai from 3 ways,
1. The way which i reached(written above).
2. Mysore - ooty - mettupalyam - coimbatore - pollachi - palani - kodai.
3. Mysore - chamarajnagar - sathyamangalam - Dharapuram(from sathi to dharapuram you can reach by 2-3 ways, via tiruppur or kangeyam) - Palani - Kodaikanal.
Route1 -> I prefer Route 1, cos its NH and there are no much deviations.
Route2 -> If u want to enjoy OOTY & COONOR on the way use this route.
Route3 -> KMS will be less but there are so many deviations, if u are travelling in night i wont recommend this route, also you should know a bit of tamil to ask routes if you choose this way(as ppl are not comfortable with any other languages in that region).
Best time to visit : Any time except Rainy Season.
PS: In Coimbatore(Kovai) you may get confused abt the route to Kodai, pls ask some local ppl abt how to reach Pollachi(from pollachi its again a straight road) , and confirm the route with 2-4 ppl, bcos some ppl may misguide you.
