Postcards from the Palanis 2014
After several weeks of rain, looking east from Coaker’s Walk.
Last year’s postcards highlight familiar Kodai landscapes as well some places from the neighboring ranges. Most of these images were taken in the winter (December 2014- January 2015). Our family’s recent visit to the hills came on the heels of an extraordinary north east monsoon season that filled tanks, recorded more rain than usual and broke the spell of the “failed monsoon” that had cast a dark shadow over much of southern India for the last 3-4 years.
Lake, Boat House, Carleton Hotel & KIS campus on a chilly December morning.
Kodaikanal lake reflection, December 2014.
Strobalanthes sp. and Cyanthia sp. at Shelton Cottages’ garden.
To the west, over and across the hills….a glimpse of what the Kodai lake basin must have once looked like.
Evening light on the Eravikulam plateau in the midst of the North East monsoon.
(Left) View from Coaker’s Walk looking south west to the Highwavy Mountains.(Right) Looking east from the summit of Perumal Peak
Agamalai range from the southern escarpment of the Palani Hills.
Looking west from Perumal Peak towards Kodai and the Agamalai range in the far distance.
PAST POSTS
A Frosty Dry Winter in the Palani Hills
Postcards from the Palanis 2012
Postcards from the Palanis 2011
Note: In this and other posts I have used the spelling of “Palani” based on linguistic recommendations made by Dr. Clarence Maloney. Other organizations such as the PHCC and individuals continue to use the “Palni” version. I’m not aware of an ultimate authority on the correct English spelling of Tamil locational names, but the town of Palani is so named and Dr. Maloney is quite adamant that this represents the closest English translation of the name of the hill/mountain range.
Another wonderful series of postcards (2014), Ian! Thank you for doing all the work for your students, those following your blog, and for all of us who are fond of and have good memories of Kodaikanal and the Palani Hills. It’s a great contribution you are making.
Ted C Essebaggers
2015-02-11 at 10:47 pm
Beautiful photographs! I have enjoyed getting to know your parents, Ian. Your mother has been very kind to invite me to Kodai gatherings here in the states. I know my late mother Beatrice Witter (Kodai class of 1940) would be pleased that I have been embraced by Kodai folk. Best, Martha Donovan
Martha Andrews Donovan
2015-02-12 at 3:34 am
These are so beautiful. Wish they really were postcards of this same quality and could send them out. Well done!
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Sara Ann Lockwood
2015-02-12 at 5:46 am
Seeing your beautiful photos makes me want to go back and yet I know deep down inside, I can never go back except in memories. It was a wonderful life growing up there!!!
Lynette Shaw White
2015-02-28 at 6:06 am