Kodaikanal

In Tamil, Kanal means "forest", but Kodai, or Kodi can be pronounced differently and could mean "the end", denote a "creeper", mean "summer" or "gift". Most people today therefore go with "Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is termed as the "Princess of Hill stations." Agriculture and tourism are the major parts of its local economy. Unique to the Western Ghats, the Kurinji Flower is in full bloom around December once in 12 years, and it bathes the valley in a beautiful sea of blue. The name Nilgiri (blue mountains) was derived from the blue colour. It was last in full bloom in 2018.