Congratulations to the team. In 2014 and 2015, you were awarded the Trip Advisors’ Certificate of Excellence.
In 2017, you were awarded Trip Advisors’ top accolade, the Travellers’ Choice Award.
And now, in 2018, you have again received this award – 2018 Travellers’ Choice.
Well done to the team. You deserve it.
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DINDIGUL for the flower market, the UNESCO world heritage Fort and a small insight into life in an important market town (half day or longer);
MADURAI for the Meenakshi Temple, the Tamukkam Palace and the Gandhi Museum (full day);
PALANI for the Dandayudhapani Temple (full day);
KODAIKANAL, a hill station, from where there are fine views across the plains (full day).
The swimming pool’s pump is now run by solar power. Because we are blessed with such good light, the photovoltaic cells operate the pump for free! Even during a heavy rain storm, the pump continues its work.
However, there have been additional benefits. Because the pump operates for so long each day, the purity of the water is being maintained with out having to use massive doses of chemicals. The environment is continuing to evolve. Bee-eaters and drongos are frequently seen diving for insects. The variety of butterflies in the habitat around the pool has increased. Eagles often hover overhead, as we swim. The pool is becoming more environmentally friendly than we had ever anticipated.
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A swimming pool? Responsible tourism? Can they go together? Is it better to swim in Dindigul’s drinking water source or to swim in a purpose -built pool?
Our swimming pool was designed and constructed by a world renowned and well respected French company It was also planned for a minimum long-term impact on the environment. The disturbance to the subsoil was minimal. The pre-pressed supports for the concrete used a modern composite strong enough to ensure rigid walls but using the smallest possible amount of cement. The trouble with tiled pools is that with time the grouting disintegrates and becomes discoloured. This provides a breeding ground for an array of bacteria and algae. Heavy doses of chlorine may kill such invaders – but is not good for users or the environment. 
Our eco friendly approach can be seen in our choice of a solar system dedicated solely to pumping the pool water. This powerful solar array enables us to run the pumps for 8 hours a day – doubling the time that most pools use their pumps. Daily vacuuming and skimming removes physical debris. Water quality is checked daily and any identified alterations in water chemistry / quality – are quickly rectified by adjusting the pH (Acid/Alkaline Balance) with appropriate buffers and occasionally adding a small quantity of chlorine (solid form) to the water. This results in a perfect balanced pool water quality. One Trip Advisor reviewer writes about our pool:
” There is an immaculately clean swimming pool, possibly the cleanest and best kept we have encountered in India.”
In addition, this has given us the opportunity to create another habitat for birds and butterflies. As you swim, bee eaters may dive into the pool, or the current season’s butterflies may drift around feeding on our nectar-rich plants – a photographer’s delight!
See also Accommodation; Things to do
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Over the last few years the beauty of the locations and the wealth of opportunities close to Cardamom House has meant that we have been visited as a part of a photographic tour. For example, Charlie Waite has brought two Light and Land Tours to Cardamom House. The participants have spent time photographing sari-clad women slipping through the palms, while discovering the intricacies of accurately capturing the vibrant colours and delicate light. With Pandi, they have explored the village. Some of their images have won prizes in competitions. Some participants have also taken the opportunity to take ‘time out’ from the intensity of being a part of a group and gone with their cameras to explore the peace by the lake and in the gardens.
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