The
'Queen of Hill Stations' Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty, is the most
popular hill station in South India. Located in the Western Ghats at a
height of 2240 metres, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiri
district. The Toda tribe has been living here since time immemorial, but the
credit for 'discovering' Ooty, making it accessible and developing it,
surely goes to the British. In 1822, John Sullivan, the then Collector of
Coimbatore, constructed the 'Stone House', which is now the Chamber of the
Principal of the Government Arts College and one of Ooty's better known
landmarks. Ooty was the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, in the days
of the British Raj.
Rose GardenThe Rose garden located just 3-4 km from
Charing Cross encompasses 10 acres of flowerbeds and exhibits 1919 varieties
of roses!
The Ooty LakeThe beautiful Ooty Lake is a
favorite haunt of tourists. There are facilities for boating on the lake and
pony rides for children around it.
Botanical GardenMaintained
by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, the
Botanical Garden has a wide variety of plants that include different types
of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees, several
old trees and even a fossilized tree trunk that is 20 million years old.
There is also a beautiful Italian floral garden.
The Dodabetta
PeakAt a height of 2623 meters, Dodabetta Peak is the highest point
in South India. On a clear day, one can see the plains of Coimbatore and the
Mysore plateau.
Wenlock DownsThe undulating
countryside just outside Ooty is ideal for long walks.
ONE
DAY EXCURSIONS AROUND CITY: Kalhatti Falls (14 km)The
picturesque waterfalls come down a 36 m drop. A popular spot for picnics and
treks.
Glenmorgan (17 km)The beautiful countryside
with tea and eucalyptus plantations. undisturbed sholas and fine views is
ideal for drives and picnics.
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.
Pykara (21 km)The
grassy meadows around the Pykara Dam and reservoir are popular with
visitors.
Avalanchi (28 km)Here, a calm lake is
surrounded by forests.
HOW TO GET
THERE:
By Road: Ooty is conveniently located 280 kms from
Bangalore,
140 kms from
Mysore
and 285 kms from
Cochin.
By
Air: Coimbatore, 100 kms away is the nearest airport.
By Rail: Ooty is connected on a picturesque narrow gauge toy train line
from Mettupalayam (the nearest mainline station, connected to Coimbatore and
Chennai).
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India Travel Hotel.
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