Full bloom: Flower show in Kodaikanal from May 19

Kodaikanal, referred to as the princess of hill stations, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. People flock to the hill station to escape the searing heat in the plains and its serene environs apparently has a soothing effect on the visitors.

Though Kodaikanal has various tourists spots such as the star lake, Pillar Rocks, suicide point, pine forests, ‘Guna’ caves and so on, Bryant Park is the key attraction among them partly because of the botanical garden and the flower show held there once a year in May. The month, of course, witnesses the peak tourist season in Kodaikanal.

This year, the flower show will commence on May 19 and will be for 10 days in Bryant Park. To attract tourists, flowers and shrubs would be cut into shapes such as elephants and dinosaurs and will be on display.

During the show, games would be organised for the tourists and winners would be given prizes. Also, dog shows would be conducted during the summer festival in the park.

On Monday, state Forest Minister Dindigul Srinivasan will hold talks with officials in Dindigul regarding the visit of the Chief Minister. The biggest concern for the authorities would be traffic congestion.

In recent years, vehicular traffic has become a big menace in the Kodaikanal hills and during weekends, cars, vans, buses and a myriad collection of other vehicles queue up for several kilometres in the ghat roads. The major challenge for the policemen would be the regulation of tourist vehicles.