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Ooty also known
as Udagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and
the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular
tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains".
It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular
summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial
days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea
level.
An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the
mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences
from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many
hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside
deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and
tea gardens.
History
Ooty still woos people from all over India as well
as foreign countries right through summer, and sometimes in
the winter months too.This beautiful botanical paradise was
first brought to the public eye by John Sullivan, Collector
of Coimbatore district in 1819. But prior to this in 1812, the
first Englishmen who were sent up the Nilgris by the Collector
of Coimbatore, were Mr. Keys, Assistant Revenue Surveyor, and
his Assistant, McMahon. They made their way via Dananayakan
Kottai to Aracad and the existing village of Denad, and penetrated
as far as Kallatti, the lower level of North Ooty, but never
set their eyes on the beautiful valley in which Ooty lay. After
Keys' visit there was no further expedition until 1818 when
J.C.Whish and N.W.Kindersly (Asst. and second Asst. to the Collector
of Coimbatore respectively) went up by the Dananayakan Kottai-Denad
route, crossed the plateau in a south-western direction and
descended by the Sundapatti pass from Manjakombai to the Bhavani
valley and then went back to Coimbatore. The purpose of their
visit is not known.
General Info
Area : 36 Sq. Kms.
Population : 87,763.
Altitude : 2,240 mts.
Climate :
Summer : Max. 25°C, Min. 10°C.
Winter : Max. 21°C, Min. 5°C.
Rainfall : 121cms.
Best Time To Visit : April to June and September to
November.
Language : Badaga, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam
and English.
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| Places of Interest
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Rose Garden
Situated in the heart of Ooty town, this garden has been beautifully
laid out in terraces with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers
with rose creepers. It was set up in the year 1995 to commemorate
the 100th flower show of the Botanical garden. Today, this garden
has the largest collection of roses in the country. Hybrid Tea
Roses, miniature roses, Floribunda, Ramblers, roses of unusual
colors like black and green are some of the more than 2,000
varieties of roses that will captivate your senses.
The Ooty Lake
This artificial lake was constructed by John Sullivan, the first
collector of Ooty. Originally intended to be an irrigation tank
it was dredged out during the years, 1823-1825.
It is a very popular tourist spot in Ooty. You can go boating
between 8 AM and 6 PM on all days in this lake. A wide range
of boats are available at the Boat House to suit varied tastes
and budgets. A Mini Garden with an amusement park for children
and a toy train are added attractions here.
Botanical Garden
This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale
and is spread over 55 acres. Lush green well maintained lawns,
rare tree species (like the cork tree which is probably the
only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey
puzzle tree - monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20 million
year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering
a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants
in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental), fern house with a vast
range of ferns and orchids, are some of the many highlights
of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare
plant species is held every year in the month of May at this
garden. The Garden is maintained by the Horticulture Department
of the Government of Tamil Nadu and has a very wide variety
of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs,
rare flowering plants etc.
The "Summer Festivals" is held each year during the
month of May in the Botanical Garden and is an added attraction
for tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival.
To the east of the garden is the Toda mund (hill). The Todas
are the native tribe. At the mund is a display highlighting
the different aspects of their traditional culture
The Dodabetta Peak
At a height of 2,623 metres, Dodabetta Peak is the highest point
in the district. Situated at about 10 km from the Ooty town,
it is one of the most prominent view points around Ooty. The
top of the peak remains covered by mist most of the time but
on a clear day, you can have a look at the landscape as far
as the plains of Coimbatore and the Mysore plateau. |
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| Excursions Of Ooty |
Make
your Package for Ooty |
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Wenlock
Downs
Also for the nature lover are the sprawling 20,000 acres of
Wenlock Downs which was once the scene of the famous Udhagamandalam
Hunt. Wenlock Downs is a region of extensive grasslands with
shoals or gallery forests of eucalyptus. The Gymkhana Club,
the factory of the Hindustan Photo Films Company, the Government
Sheep Farm and the Golf Course are all in Wenlock Downs. It
is about 8km.from Ooty on the Gudalur Road.
Pykara Falls
Situated about 21kms on the Ooty-Mysore Road, Pykara boasts
of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed
grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara
Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists.
A boat house with Restaurant is available.There is a power
plant too. A visit to the dam is a must for the breathtaking
scenery that it has to offer. It is about 19km. from Ooty.
Avalanche
Located at a distance of 28 kms from Ooty. A beautiful lake
surrounded by a thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate
and abundant with a wide variety of avifauna is a Nature Lover's
Paradise. An avalanche which occurred in 1823 gives the valley
its name.
The Avalanche valley is a nice place for splendid walks and
fishing. It is around 24km. from Ooty town.
Upper Bhavani
It is about 10 kms. from Korakundah and about 20 kms. from
Avalanche. This is Naturalist's Paradise. Some of the best
sholas like sholas lies enroute. The area is a rich and undisturbed
wildlife habitat. From Bangithapal via. Sispara one can trek
to silent valley. Forest Department's permission is necessary.
Kotagiri
It is 31 kms. from Udhagamandalam. The climate is very salubrious
which is 6503 feet above sea level. Kotagiri is shielded by
the Doddabetta ranges which receives much of its rain from
north west monsoon. One can enjoy a pleasure ride on road
flanked by green tea beds on either side.
Coonoor (10 kms)
A pretty hill town, Coonoor is located amidst tea gardens.
The Sims Park, established here in 1874, has fine lawns and
a collection of rare plants and trees picturesquely located
along a steep slope. Scenic waterfalls - Law's Falls and St.
Catherine Falls and fine vantage points with breathtaking
views and amusing names like Lamb's Rock, Dolphin's Nose and
Lady Canning's Seat dre popular picnic spots.
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| Festivals Of Ooty |
Make
your Package for Ooty |
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Important
Festivals
Thaipoosam in Elk Hill Murugan Temple (February), Bookkapuram
Mariamman Annual Festival (February), Ooty Mariamman Temple
Festival (April), Coonoor Mariamman Temple Festival (April),
Boat Races and Boat Pageantry in Ooty (May), Flower show in
Ooty (May) and Fruit show in Coonoor (May).
Summer Festivals
In summer, regular cultural programmes, fashion parade,
flower and fruit shows are arranged. During summer festival
Boat races, Boat pageantry, dog show etc., add more festivity
to the celebration. All these are jointly organised by the
Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry
of Tourism, Government of India.
There is also a Tea and Tourism Festival Ooty in January.
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| How to get there |
Make
your Package for Ooty |
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By
Road : Ooty is well connected by good roads. It is 535
km from Chennai (via Salem), 89 km from Coimbatore, 18 km
from Coonoor (via Gudalur), 155 km from Mysore, 187 km from
Calicut, 290 km from Bangalore, 281 km from Kochi (via Coimbatore
and Palakkad), 236 km from Kodaikanal (via Coimbatore and
Palani).
By Air : The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100
km away. You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from
Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Indian Airlines
flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai and Coimbatore.
By Rail : Trains connect Udhagamandalam indirectly
to the rest of the country. One can take a train up to Coimbatore
and then the enchanting Nilgiri Mountain Railway, better known
as the toy train. It is one of the few remaining diesel engine
trains and although it spits up huge dark clouds of pollution,
it is a major tourist attraction and a reminder of the Indian
railways' glorious beginning. The nearest broad-gauge railway
head from Udhagamandalam is in the minor Mettupalayam, which
is 46 km away. Mettupalayam is connected to Udhagamandalam
by a four-hour journey on the Mountain Railway. The major
broad-gauge railway junction is Coimbatore. Coimbatore is
connected with all major cities.
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