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Friday, September 20, 2013

KOTTARAKARA FRIENDS ASSOCIATION MEET AT KODAIKANAL

KOTTARAKARA FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
MEET AT KODAIKANAL
Kottarakara Friends Association members Annual meet was held at Kodaikanal on 17th to 20 th September, 2013. Fifty Three members participate the annual meet. Prof. John Kurakar inaugurated the Annual Meet. Mr.M.R Rajan welcomed the members. Mr. Sarasan Kottarakara presided. Mr. Monachan, Mr. Mamachan, Mr. Jacob, Mr. Abhilash, Mr. Roy, Mr. Babu and Prof. Molly Kurakar spoke on the occasion.Kodaikanal is one of the very popular and most sought after Honeymoon and holiday destination hill resorts in South India. This hill station stands 7200 feet above sea level and situated in upper palani hills of the westernghats near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal is also popularly known as the princes of Hill Stations.The cool and misty weather, the scenic beauty of the rolling hills and the wooded forest of Kodaikanal and its surroundings will mesmerize any visitor throughout the year. Walk through the wooded forests, row in the lake, bath in one of the splashing waterfalls, go for horse riding and cycling around the lake or simply admire the views.
Kodaikanal is the only Hill Station in India developed by the Americans. 
During 1821, Lieutenant B. S. Ward, a British surveyor was, the first European to visit Kodaikanal, who was on the lookout for a healthy place to live, for the foreign missionaries working in Madurai and the surrounding areas to escape from the summer heat and epidemics.The early visitors to Kodaikanal, had to travel by horse, bullock cart or palanquin. The forest were infested by robbers and wild animals, and yet it became very popular with the elite families, because of the wonderful climate and clean air.In 1834, the Collector of Madurai climbed up from Devadanapatti and built a small bungalow at Kodaikanal. By the second half of the 19th century, churches and other colonial structures started popping up in and around Kodaikanal. Examples of some beautiful structures are the Union Church built in 1895, and a large number of private bungalows. In 1863, Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, the Collector of Madurai, created the 60 acres Kodai Lake by damming three streams flowing through. He stocked the lake with fish. He also brought the first boat from Tuticorin. A boat club was formed in Kodaikanal in 1890. Since May 1929, the club has permitted tourists to join the club as temporary members and avail of boating facilities.Missionaries established church properties. Many of the ruling princes built summer holiday-homes. Clubs, school and hotels came up. Civic amenities were introduced. Kodaikanal developed slowly, but steadily. They also established the famous Kodaikanal International School.
Kottarakara Friends Association conducted various programmes in Kodaikannal Dani Resort.. Owner of the Dani Resort is a member of Kottarakara Friends Association
Prof. John Kurakar


























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