Toyota Fortuner's Days Out: (Series 2) To Kodaikanal

[Mathew]

Re: Fortuner's Days Out: (Series 2) To Kodaikanal

Few more photos of the Morning Session is including here.

 

[Mathew]

Berijam Lake is surrounded by nature at a distance of around 21 km from Kodaikanal Moair Point. Boating is prohibited as the lake is a source of water for villages. The forest department is allowing visitors to travel on their vehicle. Forest department permission is required and limited number of vehicles are allowed to enter the forest area where the lake is situated. Entry is restricted into the Berijam Lake area to between 9.00 a.m. and 3 p.m. Bison, deer, panthers and snakes are often spotted in this area.

Since it was the first service of the Day, the driver was also on a very good mood. He bought some flower garlands. He is a strong believer of the goddess. There is Darga on the way to first attraction (Silent Valley View). It can be viewed in the attached Video. He did a short prayer and kept the garland. He also cleaned the worship place. We did a photo session of all team members along the vehicle (a) We two, (b) Our Relation, family with three kids, and (c) Three friends – all together 10 members.

 

[Mathew]

a. Silent Valley view
The first attraction is Silent Valley View. The vehicle stopped near the view point and driver cum guide explained the details of the view point. He told us that not to explore all the way down, as it will take hours. He reminded us that the view point must be completed in 10Minutes. We felt very fresh on this Valley View. A small video attached to the earlier video. There is a small view tower available. Part of the video is taken on the watch tower. We could take some clear photos, as the mist was wiping against us. Those who come on their own vehicle can spend more time, and also can explore the valley further down. The guide told us not to spend more time. We returned to the vehicle. Meantime that place was covered with fog.

The Silent Valley view is another important and attractive place that should not be missed by any nature enthusiast. It is situated at a little distance from the Pillar Rock and is seen on the Berijam lake road and the breathtaking view of this valley will be soothing to the eyes. The panoramic view of this place will make the tourists to spend a lot of time watching the scenic beauty. Children visiting this place has to be taken care by their parents as the valley is very deep and will at its very best when viewed between early mornings and late afternoons.

 

[ranjit]

Hi Mathew,
Nice description with minute details, good photographs

 

[Mathew]

Hi Mathew,
Nice description with minute details, good photographs

Thanks ranjit.
Need to improve the photography section. Wish to upgrade the camera. I felt the need of DSLR. So far managing with Canon G7X.

 

[Mathew]

b. Cap’s Fly Valley
A steep valley in between two mountains and the air current there lifts the objects thrown in the valley. Objects thrown there come back like the boomerang or the frisbee due to the air currents. It is fun to watch. Our guide demonstrated with his towel, he throw to opposite direction and it came back to the owner’s hand. We too tried the experiment. The guide told us that there was some shooting of Kamal Hassan’s film recently. We spent another 10 minutes there.











c. Fire Watch Tower
Tower built by Forest Office to monitor the forest. Public is not allowed to see the forest from this Tower. The guide explained but did not stop over this place. We saw some young guys are experimenting this.
[Photo credits ]

 

[Mathew]

d. Berijam Lake view
After this fire tower, a watch tower is available to view the remote view of the Berijam Lake. The guide stopped the vehicle and asked to return in 10 Minutes. The far end of Berijm lake can be viewed from this place. One side of this view point is a deep valley and lots of dense trees can be viewed. A short video included in the previous video.





e. Medicine Forest
After the Lake View point, next is the Medicine forest view point. The guide stopped the vehicle for 10 Minutes. We can view the thick dense trees on far-end. The forest department kept some sign board explaining the values of these Medicine Forest. Medicine Forest has a certain species of trees whose fragrance is believed to be having hallucinogenic effects.

 

[Mathew]

f. Berijam Lake

Berijam Lake – 21 kms from Moair Point, and is the most beautiful lake in all of South India. The lake has very pure water and is the main source of water for a town called Periyakulam which is located in the valley below Kodaikanal. The water quality is much better than the water quality of Ooty Lake.

In 1864, Douglas Hamilton wrote: – “The Vicinity of this lake is in my opinion by far the best sight on the Hills”. Berijam Lake is protected by Forest laws and the immensely beautiful forest. Tourists need special permission from the forest office in Kodaikanal to go there. It is better to be an early bird to get the permission, as the forest office closes by 11:30 am. Tourists are allowed to stay in Berijam till the evening. The route to Berijam lake is more scenic than the lake itself.

There is a forest check–post which prohibits unauthorized entry through the road leading to Berijam Lake. The private vehicles with permission must be stopped at this point. Since our vehicle belongs to Forest department, they grant permission further and stopped at the Lake Side. The lake side is approximately 500 meters far from this forest check post. The guide told us to return in 30-45Minutes. We went to the lake side and enjoyed the cool breeze. Video included. Our team was involved in photo session. Meantime I found a new married couple trying to take some selfy photo. Kids have fun to climb on a tree that is partially inclined to the lake side. Some photos included. We returned to the vehicle after approximately 45 Minutes. The guide returned us to the forest check post. Stopped the vehicle and he went to temple with the flower garland. He cleared the old garland with the new one and kept some incense sticks after a short prayer. I took some photos. He showed us the earlier ways from Kerala. Actually Kumally is very close by. Earlier people used this way to come to Kodaikanal. Now state government closed this path.

 

[Mathew]

Two rest houses of old style are there. The forest officers did not allow us to explore these rest-houses. A photo including. The far end view of the rest house is nice. The guide told us that we are going to return. Weather is changing. It is better to return before the fog carry the skies.

 

[Mathew]

Wow, it was a different experience. All the team members enjoyed. Truly, it was a warm experience at a cold place. We returned to the Vehicle. The Guide took us back to the Moair Point in another 45 Minutes. After returning to the Moair Point the next half an hour was no activities. A thick blanket of fog covered us. Luckily we were at the area where some shops were operating. We had some tea, masala Chana etc.

We cleared the place and then moved to next place.

 

[Mathew]

The photo just below is the forest check point at Berijm Lake. We returned to Moair point. Some more photos at Moair point including. Next is Pine Forest.

 

[Mathew]

6. Pine Forest

Pine forests is on the way to Pillar Rocks from Moair Point. Horse ride is available. Our kids want to take a photo session and to do horse ride. We did a 30 Minutes break there. Meantime, did a small shopping. Bought a shawl, and friends said the color is of Amma Shawl. A photo is attaching.

 

[Mathew]

7. Pillar Rock

We could not explore much on this place. The thick fog was covered at that place. Tried the local made Chocolate. Did a group photo session. The view at the side of the view point is great. Neatly planted flower trees. Lots of chocolate shops available at this place.

 

[Mathew]

Few more photos at this place is attaching.











We missed this view, as it was covered with thick fog. [Image Courtesy]

 

[Mathew]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVfKSspabpg&feature=youtube_gdata