Ootacamund,
the queen of the hill stations of South India, is situated in the Nilgiri's
at an altitude of 2240 metres. Ooty is known for its extraordinary scenic
beauty and salubrious climate amidst the "Nilgiri's" or "Blue
Mountains".green Udhagamandalam better known as Ooty is the most
popular hill station in the South.
Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiri's district where the two
ghats converge. Nature has been bounteous with this region which is indeed
the most beautiful in the region. Apart from coffee and tea plantations,
trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle embrace the hillside in
Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature is rarely higher than 25°c
with a minimum of 10°c and winter is are distinctly cooler with a high
of 21°c and a low 5°c.
Ooty, the Queen be seated in this heavenly abode remained undiscovered to
the great southern dynasties and it took the British to explore it in the
early 1800s. They were, however, not the first friends of this land as a
tribe called Todas had been living there long before the British came,
claiming that the Nilgiri's had been their home since time immemorial. The
British constructed the first railway line in the area and made it the
summer capital of the Chennai Presidency.
The attractions of the city !
» Botanical Garden :
A spectra of regionally exclusive and ornamental plants adorn this garden
which is the venue for the Flower Show held in May every year. There is a
fossil tree trunk 20 million years old in the midst of the garden.
» Lake :
This
artificial lake was constructed in 1824 by Major John Sullivan, the then the
Collector of Coimbatore. Boating is a enjoyable recreational activity. The
lake garden and toy trains rides amuse the visitors.
» Udhagamandalam :
This Queen of hill stations, known as Ooty, is in Nilgiri mountain ranges
in Tamil Nadu. At a height of 2268 metres, Ooty is known for its healthy and
amazingly soothing climate and scenic splendor.
» Government Museum :
The Government Museum, Mysore road, has items of tribal artefacts,
district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts
of Tamilnadu.
» The Mukurthi Peak & Mukurthi National Park :
Mukurthi Peak is about 40 Km/24 mile from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park
is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiri's Plateau. The area
contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius).The
silent Valley is located on the Western side of these ranges. Fascinating
feature of the Mukurthi Sanctuary is its endemism and relationship with
Himalayan Flora and Fauna.
» St. Stephen's Church :
The St. Stephen's Church, located on the Mysore road, near the
Collectorate, is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris. It dates back
to the days of Rt. Hon'ble Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of
Madras, who keenly felt the need for a cathedral exclusively for the
British, in Ooty. He laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829,
to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. The church has a fine pew
with a raised chancel. There are stained-glass painting on the Eastern side
as well as behind the chancel. The glass paintings depict Mary holding baby
Jesus in her arms and the crucifixion of Christ among others. On the Western
wall, above the paneled doorways, is a large life-like painting of the Last
Supper.
» Ketty Valley View :
Located on the road to Coonoor, this idyllic spot is a cluster of tiny
Villages that extend to the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.
» Pykara :
Situated about 21 Kms/13 Mile on the Ooty-Mysore Road, boasts of well
protected fenced Sholas, Todas settlement, undisturbed grassy meadows and
also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam and the reservoir attracts many
tourists.
» Glenmorgan (17 Km/10 Mile) :
This is an Electricity Board. (E.B.) winch carries staff from Glenmorgan
view point to power house at Singara. All the four Kms of the winch track
passes through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitat. Prior permission of
E.B. authorities should be obtained to enter the view point zone. There are
about ten Todas (tribal) settlement.
» Upper Bhavani :
10 Km/6 Mile from Korakundah and about 20 Kms/12 Mile from Avalanchi. Some
of the best sholas like the Thar Shola lies enroute. The area is a rich and
undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithappal via Sispara one can trek to
Silent Valley.
» Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary :
Lying in the Nilgiri's District abutting Kerala & Karnataka State, this
is situated at an elevation of 1000 meters and extends over an area of 321
sq. kms. The wildlife includes Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar,
Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse, Wild Boar, Parcupine etc.
» Doddabetta :
It is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiri's and is 10 kms/6.2
Mile from Ooty. It lies at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats and
offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hills ranges. There is a telescope
house run by TTDC.
» Kalhatty Water Falls :
These descend from the Kalhally slopes and about 13 Kms/ 8 Mile from Ooty.
» Wenlock Downs :
A vast zone of amazing landscape offering Gymkhana Club, the Government
Sheep Farm and Hindustan Photo Films Company besides pleasure of long stroll
on this peaceful road.
» Elk Hills :
A vast array and uninterrupted view of Ooty and the Lovedale Valley, from
here overwhelms the beholder!
» Snowden Peak :
Located at the Kothagiri Road, it offers a picturesque view of Mysore.
Fast facts :
Area :- 36 sq. k.m
Population :- About 80,000
Clothing :-Summer-Light Woolen;Winter-Heavy Woolen
Language :- Tamil, Kannada, Mallayalam, Hindi and English
STD Code :- 0423
What to shop :
Eucalyptus oil, Honey, Cinchona products, coffee and Tea are some of the
good buys. Most of the shops are open from 9 am to 12 noon and from 3 pm to
8pm. Todas Showroom sells silver and tribal shawls. Municipal Market and
Coop. Super Market and Upper and Lower Bazaar Roads are the main shopping
areas of Ooty. Poompuhar and Kairali Emporia can also be visited.
Accessibility :
» By Air : The nearest airport is Coimbatore(100 Km/62 mile)
which is connected to Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore.
» By Road : Ooty is connected by good motorable road to Chennai
and Coimbatore. There are regular bus services connecting Ooty to
Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanniya Kumari, Mysore, Palghat,
Calicut and Tirupati.
» By Rail : Ooty on the narrow gauge railway is connected to
Mettupalayam which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai.
» Close to the wheels :
Chennai - 539 k.m Bangalore - 290 k.m
Cochin - 281 k.m Coonoor - 13 k.m
Coimbatore - 98 k.m Koidaikanal - 236 k.m
Yercaud - 237 k.m
