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Location:
Niligiri District, Tamil Nadu
Discovered By: British In 1800
Highest Peak:Doddabetta
Famous Festivals:Summer Festival And The
Tea And Tourism Festival
Udhagamandalam (Ooty),
the capital of Nilgiri district, is popularly known as the "Queen
of hill stations' among the tourist circuits. It is situated at a
distance of 105 km away from Coimbatore. The height of the hills in the
Nilgiri range varies between 2280 and 2290 metres, the highest peak
being Doddabetta at a height of 2623 metres.
History Of This
Beautiful Hill Resort
It is believed
that the name Nila, has been in use for over 800 years since, the King
of the Hoysalas Vishnu Vardhana, who ruled from 1104 to 1141 AD seized
the Nilgiris Plateau. His general Ponisia recorded this fact in 1117 AD
with mention of Todas. The name Nilgiri was due to the blue haze, which
envelops the range with most distant hills of considerable size.
This Nilgiri
territory came into possession of the East India Company as part of the
ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan, by the treaty of Srirangapatnam in
1799. Rev. Jacome Forico, a priest was the first European who visited
Nilgiris in 1603 and released his notes about the place and people of
Nilgiris. In 1812 surveyor William Keys and Macmohan visited the top of
the plateau.
In 1818, Wishand
Kindersley, Assistant and Second Assistant to Collector of Coimbatore
visited this spot and submitted their experience report to the Collector
of Coimbatore Mr. John Sullivan. Settlement in Udhagamandalam began in
1822 with the construction of the Stone House by John Sullivan, the then
Collector of Coimbatore. The bungalow, which is locally called "Kal
Bangla", is one of the landmarks of Udhagamandalam and is now the
Chamber of the Principal of the Government Arts College.
The Tea
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. Visit Ooty during this festival, when tea lovers
from all over the world converge. An occasion not to be missed!
PRIME
ATTRACTIONS
Botanical
Gardens: Botanical gardens are a major tourist attraction for those who
visit Ooty, one of the most popular hill stations of India. They sprawl
over 50-acre and lie on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak, which is
the highest point in Ooty. Marquis of Tweeddale established these
gardens in the year 1848.
The gardens are
formally laid out with lily ponds, and there are clipped bushes in the
form of elephants, with raised trunks. One can find a thousand different
species of plants including some thirty types of eucalyptus in these
gardens. There is also a fossilised tree trunk, which is said to be 20
million years old. Towards the eastern part of the garden there is a
wooden house made of logs known as "Toda Mund", which provides
an excellent view.
Rose Garden
Rose Garden is
situated about 3 to 4-km away from Charring Cross. They are spread over
an area of 10 acres of land with 2000 variety of roses. Rose Gardens lie
on the way to the boathouse.
Mini Garden
Mini garden is
also situated on the way to the boathouse where the children amusement
park is housed. A snack bar is also available. Tamil Nadu Tourism
Development Corporation Limited maintains these gardens.
 Ooty Lake
About 1-km
distance there is an artificial lake with a charming look, which was
formed in 1824 by Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore.
St Stephens
Church Situated in the
hilly area on Club Road, St Stephens Church is said to be the oldest in
the Nilgiris. The church was built in 1829 and consecrated in 1830. The
beam of the church was taken from the palace of Tipu Sultan at
Srirangapatnam. The cemetery close by houses the grave of John Sullivan,
the founder of Ooty.
Doddabetta Doddabetta is the
highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris, which is about 10-km from
Ooty. It is a beautiful place lying between the junction of the Western
and Eastern Ghats and offers a beautiful view of the Nilgiri hill
ranges. It is surrounded by dense Sholas.
Deer Park At a distance of
1-km from the Lake there is a Deer Park, which is worth visiting.
Government Museum
The government
museum, Mysore Road, Ooty has items of tribal objects, district's
ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of
Tamil Nadu. It was set up in 1989, with a view to provide education
benefits to the residing and visiting population of Nilgiris district.
Trekking
The Nilgiris are a trekker's paradise. Landscaped by nature, the hills
abound in trek for lovers of nature. There are treks and treks in
whichever direction you turn and from whichever point you start. A trek
can be full of thrill, excitement and adventure and a way of seeing and
enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour.
Udhagamandalam (Ooty) offers several trek routes, which vary in
distance, altitudes and terrain. There is a base camp at Parsons valley,
from where one can start trekking to various points within Western Ghats.
The down hills of Western Ghats on the North ends up with meeting the
extensions of Eastern Ghats, where the sprawling Mudumalai Sanctuary
lies which opens vistas for adventure tourists.
Trekking pamphlets are available with the Nilgiri Wildlife and
Environment Association (NWLEA). There are guides who have sound
knowledge of certain areas. If necessary, their services may be hired.
And for further details contact the Tourist Information Office at
Charring Cross, Ooty.
Hang-Gliding
Hang-glidng courses are also organised during March to May every year,
with the assistance of the Department of Tourism. Contact the Tourist
Officer, Ooty for assistance.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Coimbatore,
105 km from Ooty, is the nearest airport.
Rail: Ooty is on
the narrow gauge railway, connected to Mettupalayam (47 km), which is
directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai. The famous toy train
connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.
Road: A good
network of roads and national highways connect Ooty with all major towns
and cities. There are regular bus services to and from Coimbatore,
Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut,
Tirupati and other important destinations in South India. Ooty is also
well connected with major cities of Kerala and Karnataka.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is
available at the luxurious and economy class hotels, lodges, and resorts
in Ooty. Both Indian and Western style accommodation and food are
available. Prior booking is advisable, especially during the summer
months
Hotels
in Ooty
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