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Hill Stations in Southern India |
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Best time to Visit |
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Throughout the
year |
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Ooty,
the popular name for Ootacamund, which
in turn is the Anglicized version of
Udhagamangalam, the capital of Nilgiri
district, is popularly known as the
"Queen of hill stations' among
the tourist circuits. It is located
2242 meters above sea level in the Western
Ghats hill ranges of Tamil Nadu, India.
Located in the Western ghats at a height
of 2240m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters
of the Nilgiris district where the two
ghats meet. Nature has been generous
with this region which is by far the
most beautiful in the state. Apart from
coffee and tea plantations, trees like
conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle
dot 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.
The establishment of numerous tea estates
made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense
forest, sprawling grasslands and miles
and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers
on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism
Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers.
Built as a British summer station in
the 1800s, Ooty has many bungalows and
buildings dating back to the British
era. Ooty is famous for its tea gardens
and coniferous forests. Visit Ooty during
this festival, when tea lovers from
all over the world converge. An occasion
not to be missed!
The best time to come is between January
and March, avoiding high-season crowds
(April-June & Sept-Oct). However,
it can also be visited throughout the
year, for Ooty never runs out of season.
The maximum and minimum temperatures
during summer are 25 degree Celsius
and 10 degree Celsius respectively.
Whereas, the maximum and minimum temperature
during winters are 21 degree Celsius
and 0 degree Celsius respectively. |
| History
of Ooty |
| Historically,
most hill stations in India are founded
and developed by the British and Ooty
is no exception. It was founded by the
British in the 19th century. The British
found Ooty similar to England and this
is how Lord Lytton, Viceroy of India
described Ooty to his wife "…such
beautiful English rain, such delicious
English mud." |
| Best
Attractions |
| Today,
Ooty is a major tourist attraction in
the country. We list below a selection
of major attractions of Ooty – |
Botanical Garden -
Botanical gardens are prime tourist
attraction for those who visit Ooty,
the most popular hill station of India.
They cover over 50-acres and lie on
the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak,
which is the highest point in Ooty.
Kandal Cross Shrine
- Considered as the Jerusalem of the
East is stationed in Udhagamandalam
in Tamil Nadu. The Nilgiri Catholics
mark it as the "Calvary of Tamil
Nadu".
Mini Garden
and Rose Garden - The Rose
Garden is located about 3 to 4-km away
from Charring Cross and the Mini garden
is situated on the way to the boathouse
where the children amusement park is
present.
Ooty Lake
– The enchanting Ooty Lake is
a fabulous tourist spot which was made
in the year 1825, by Mr. John Sullivan,
the then Collector of Coimbatore. The
purpose behind the making of the lake
was to provide an irrigation tank to
the residents.
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 paintings 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. |
| How
to reach |
By
Air : Coimbatore Airport is
100 kilometers away. Regular flights
operate from Delhi, Bangalore, Thiruvanthapuram,
Chennai and Mumbai to Coimbatore.
By Rail : Trains
from Chennai and Coimbatore halt at
Mettupalayam. From Mettupalayam, you
can either take the narrow guage train
to Coimbatore or travel by road.
By Road : Ooty
is well connected to Chennai, 500 kilometers
away, Coimbatore (100 kilometers), Bangalore
(300 kilometers), Mysore and Mettupalayam.
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| So,
what are you waiting for...!! Just
pack your bags and Get going for the
most adventurous vacation of your lifetime
in Ooty with us. |
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