Kodaikanal is a municipality and hill station in Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated at an altitude of 2,225 m in the Palani hills of the Western Ghats. Kodaikanal was established in 1845 to serve as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases during the summer in the plains. It is a popular tourist destination and is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" with much of the local economy is based on the hospitality industry serving tourism.