Pillar Rocks

Weather : 10 - 20°C

Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Monument

Timings : 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Time Required : Less than 1 hour

Entry Fee : INR 5 per person
INR 20 for still camera

Pillar Rocks, Kodaikanal Overview

Situated in the 'Princess of Hill stations', Kodaikanal, the Pillar Rocks have become a lovely picnic spot. Constituting a beautiful mini garden; the place is named so as it has three vertically positioned boulders reaching up to a height of 400 feet. The aura here is full of affection and is evidence of a great love story. The 'white cross' which once existed on these rocks represented David Gell's excellent tribute to love. The view of rocks is not something to be missed. They stand as an untouched miracle for the tourists visiting Kodaikanal.

The pillars are famous for providing bird's view of nearby surroundings. The chambers between these two massive rocks are called the Devil's Kitchen. Fewer times you might find rocks covered with mist and clouds, but when the ways become clear nothing beautiful than this could be ever seen. Jutting straight away from the hills that surround them, the pillar rocks are majestic. You can come here, sit and relax as you soothe your eyes over the high hill ranges and clear skies. Moreover, do not forget taste the potato and onion bhaji which is served outside the mini garden.

Pillar Rocks and David Gelli's Tribute to Love

There is a story related to this fantastic viewpoint which not many people know. When you visit it, the locals might tell you after being asked several times. A man David Gelli who had fallen in love with the beauty of Kodaikanal used to visit this place frequently. His last visit to the town was with his newlywed wife, Irine Gelli. Who knew their honeymooning would take an ugly face? As they were busy clicking pictures by keeping the huge rocks in the background, Irine slipped and fell into the depth of these pillar rocks. Unfortunately, she died.

After a few days, David not caring about his life, managed to reach the top of the rocks where he placed a wooden white cross (symbol of his love). He returned to the place after three days for the final time. After that day nobody saw him or heard of him. It is believed that he jumped off the cliff for the sake of uniting with his beloved wife. The Christian Church which they had visited before leaving for the pillar rocks had their names in its visitors' register. This register helped in tracing the names of these two lovers.