Ooty
Must-see Attractions
This
is located in the Western Ghats zone at an altitude of 2240 mtrs. It is the
headquarters of the Nilgiri District, where the two mountain ranges meet. Udhagamandalam
, popularly called as OOTY by the tourist, is the Queen of Hill Stations.
Centuries ago this was also called as Oththai-Kal [single
stone] Mandu [ Mund is a name of Toda Village]. The British
started calling it as Ootacamund. Coffee and Tea
Plantations and trees like Conifers, Eucalyptus, Pine and Wattle dot the hill
side in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature is maximum of 25 C
and a minimum of 10 C . During the Winter it is minimum 5 C and a maximum of 21
C when it is slightly warmer. This area was inhibited by the tribals called TODA long
before any body could venture into this region. Curiously enough, this slice of
paradise remained unknown even during the periods of the great Southern
Dynasties. It was the Britons who ventured into the riches of the
regions during early 1800’s. Development and modernization took after their
arrival to Udhagamandalam. This was the Summer Capital of the Madras
Presidency during the British Rule. Coonoor - 19Kms,
Kothagiri - 31 Kms are the other smaller nearby hill stations.The
Town population is 88,430(2011 census) and Nilgiri District population is
7,33,394(2011 census).
Botanical Garden
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Mukurthi National Park
Doddabetta
Peak
Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Nilgiris and is a
wonderful trekking spot if you are an avid trekker. When you reach the
characteristic flat top of the Doddabetta what awaits you is a visual treat of
the surrounding Nilgiris. Being the highest peak you can get a bird’s
eye view of the entire area and all that you see is green, green and more green. In the middle of all the green you find the
beautiful city of Ooty miniaturized by the grandeur of nature. If you want to
get a better look at the surroundings, not to worry, you have the Telescope
House located on the top, which houses 2 telescopes and through which you can
get a better view of the surroundings.
Opening Time : 10:00:00
Closing Time : 17:00:00
The Botanical Gardens add great educational and recreational value to Puducherry. The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and it stands out from its immediate surroundings because it is smack in the middle of the old Tamil town. The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1826 in ornate French style, with pruned trees, beautiful flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains.
Closing Time : 17:00:00
The Botanical Gardens add great educational and recreational value to Puducherry. The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and it stands out from its immediate surroundings because it is smack in the middle of the old Tamil town. The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1826 in ornate French style, with pruned trees, beautiful flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains.
Rose Garden
Rose Garden, which belongs to an
elite club of 35 rose gardens around the world which has won the Garden of
Excellence Award for South Asia from the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Containing more than twenty thousand variety of roses the Rose Garden is one of
the most beautiful and well maintained gardens you find the country, or
perhaps, the world. The climate of Ooty is ideal for the plants to have a long
blooming season.
Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake is an artificially
constructed lake with picturesque natural surroundings. Originally constructed
for the purpose of fishing, the lake has become all but an important tourist
landmark in Ooty. An evening cycling around the lake (cycles are available for
rent), or a quiet morning with your beloved by your side and the lake in front
is enough to bring calm to yourself. Originally extending a much larger area,
Ooty Lake has shrunk in size over the years giving way to other structures like
the race course.
Deer Park
How
many places do you actually come across where you have a park exclusively for
the deer? Well you have one in Ooty. Located right in the town about a
kilometer away from the Ooty Lake, Ooty Deer Park is one of the most easily
accessible locations in Ooty. After a casual stroll by the lake you can gear up
bigger adventures and get the excitement on, by a visit to the deer park. This
place is like a ‘demo’ version for what
is in store for you as you go for some real sightseeing.
Upper Bhavani Lake
Upper Bhavani Lake is located
above the Avalanche area . Unexplored place and now its getting popular by
previous vistors. You need a Forest Department pass with the number of your car
and details of people entering the zone, Rs150 per head. You need to travel for
an hour to reach the forest office where a bus/ jeep will take you to this
untouched lake. However, they give you only 15 minutes to admire this beautiful
water body. No one is allowed to touch the water but the view itself is worth
it. Best month to visit is June , July and August and best time to visit is
weekdays.
Enjoy the journey on the World
Heritage Niligiri Mountain Railway from Ooty to Coonoor . (19 Kms of journey:04
intermittent stations, 03 tunnels and a long bridge). Coonoor stands on a lower
ridge of the plateau at an altitude of 1,858 mts. and has a railway station on
the Mettupalayam - Udhagamandalam route. Around and near Coonoor, the tourists
can enjoy the beautiful places of interest like Sim's Park,. Lamb's rock.
Dolphine's Nose. etc.
Cost per Person: ₹ 370/-
Avalanche Lake
Avalanche
Lake Ooty makes the perfect setting for a family, adventure package. If you are
wondering how the lake landed with such a name, it is a misnomer because it was
formed by a huge landslide and not an avalanche. You find large varieties of
flowers, like magnolias and rhododendrons blooming on all sides of the lake. If
you are interested in spending the night there, take a tent with you as you
have provisions for pitching tents there. The lake is available for fishing and
nearby the lake itself you have a trout hatchery, from where you can get
fishing rods and other essentials you require.
St. Stephen’s Church
Christmas day is a very special
day of joy and charity. People celebrate the birth of Christ by offering
prayers, singing carols and exchanging wishes. Churches all over the world
portray a festive atmosphere with beautiful decorations.
For those folks visiting the
“Queen of Hill Stations”, Ooty, during this holiday season, a visit to the
oldest church of the Nilgiris will be a delight.
St.Stephen’s Church of Ooty,
dates back to the 19th century. It is one of the churches built under British
Raj. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, who was the Governor of Madras, laid the foundation
for the church on April 23, 1829.
Mariamman Temple
Mother Durga represents three
powers (shakti or energy) called Itcha Sakti, Gnana Sakti and Kriya Sakti. Thre
are three deities in the temple representing each of these powers in the form
of Mari, Kali and Katteri and this is a rare type in a single temple. Kali,
though described furious, is very calm and smiling in the temple.
A thread called Mudikayiru
prepared with Mantras in the Katteri Amman shrine is believed to protect the
devotee from evil looks, illness, magic spells, witchcraft effects etc. This is
mostly used to protect children. Women wear it for child boon. The thread is
also used to protect cattle. ooty mariamman temple ooty mariamman temple
The Mukurthi National Park
spread over an area of about 80 square kilometers can be entered in four ways.
The Ooty-Gudalur-Mysore route being the most accessible. The vegetation,
climate and appearance of the Park bear a striking resemblance to that of the
Himalayas minus the snow. The park is part of the Nilgiri Bio Reserve which is
India’s first Bio Reserve. The climate is extremely cold and
the rainfall is always on the heavy side, whenever it happens. The visibility
decreases as the monsoon progresses and is the minimum with the onset of
winter. There are many rivers and streams running through the park and they are
often frequented by the different species
Ooty Golf Course
The Ootacamund Gymkhana Club, situated on the rolling Wenlock
Downs at a height of 7000 ft above sea level, is one of the finest natural golf
courses in the world. With the Avalanchi range in the surrounding and heavily
wooded treeline that consists of eucalyptus, oak, rhododendron and fir, Ooty
Golf is a very challenging course to play in the midst of thick woods.
Kalhatty Waterfalls
Kalhatti Falls is a tourist spot near Ooty, The
Nilgiris, Tamilnadu. These falls are about 13 km from Ooty, on the Ooty toMysore Road
or Sigur Ghat Road. From the Kalhatti village one has to continue for 2 miles
to reach the falls and the falls is connected in the same Kalhatti village
road.
Kalhatti Water Falls boasts a height of 40 metres and is
considered to be an ideal destination for trekking. This water fall is around
13 km from Ooty on the Ooty-Mysore route. This is the road that connects Ooty
with Masinagudi and has the famous 36 hair pin bends. The popular hill town of
Bellikal is also situated close by. The water fall is located at around
2,000 metres above the sea level and the entire route runs through the Kalhatti
Ghats.
Ketti Valley view
5616 ft (1711.8 m) main intermediate station on the
line at site of the locomotive workshops as well as the top end of the rack
rail.
Trip to Ooty, Coonoor, Ketti Valley, Pine Forest, 6th and
9th Mile Coonoor
5616 ft (1711.8 m) main intermediate station on the
line at site of the locomotive workshops as well as the top end of the rack
rail.
The Coonoor ghat road rapidly supplemented all other routes
to the Nilgiris, and Coonoor at the head of this ghat which possessed essential
advantages gained its importance.
Coonoor Stands on a lower ridge of the plateau at an altitude
of 1,858 mts. and has a railway station on the Mettupalayam – Udhagamandalam
route.
Coonoor is an important trade centre for tea and the Tea Board
of India, has a branch office here.
Around and near Coonoor, the tourists could enjoy the
beautiful places of interest like Sim’s Park, the Lady Canning’s Seat. Lamb’s
rock. Dolphine’s Nose, the Law’s Falls, the Droog.
Ketti Valley View
Ketti Valley View is located on the Ooty-Coonoor road, around
7 km away from the main city of Ooty. It is the second largest valley in the
world, which comprises different villages that are part of Coimbatore and
Mysore. It covers a wide area, extending from the plains of Coimbatore to the
Mysore plateau.
Tribal Research Centre
One
of the most well maintained and well organized museums you find in Ooty, The
Ooty Tribal Research Center is more than just a museum displaying pre historic
artifacts and stuffed animals. This place does serious research on the tribals
inhabiting South India and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The research center
maintains records on all the social, cultural, economic and religious
activities of the tribals. They research on ways to improve the living
conditions of the tribal people and on how to bring them into the mainstream
without much disturbing their present lifestyle
Lamb’s Rock
Lamb’s Rock is a tourist spot in
Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, India on the slopes of the Nilgiri Hills. It is located at
a distance of 8 kilometers from Coonoor. Lamb’s Rock, a tourist spot and view
point is situated at a distance of 8 km from Coonoor. It was named after the
then collector Captain Lamb who developed this place in his interest.
The Lamb’s Rock is on the way to Dolphin’s nose, another point of view in Coonoor. The mountain cliff around Lamb’s Rock stands at a height of 5000 feet above sea level and place out for its jagged look. Lamb’s Rock provides a panoramic view of Coonoor and one can enjoy the sight of green abundant forests covered by clouds.
The drive to Lamb’s rock in itself is superb. Nature is best enjoyed at Lamb’s Rock as it is located away from the hustle and bustle. This view point offers a panoramic vision of the Hulical ravines and Coonoor stream
The Lamb’s Rock is on the way to Dolphin’s nose, another point of view in Coonoor. The mountain cliff around Lamb’s Rock stands at a height of 5000 feet above sea level and place out for its jagged look. Lamb’s Rock provides a panoramic view of Coonoor and one can enjoy the sight of green abundant forests covered by clouds.
The drive to Lamb’s rock in itself is superb. Nature is best enjoyed at Lamb’s Rock as it is located away from the hustle and bustle. This view point offers a panoramic vision of the Hulical ravines and Coonoor stream
Glenmorgan, Ooty
Glenmorgan is a village located
at a distance of 25 kilometers from Ooty. This place is known for its tea
estates which includes one of the oldest tea estates in the region known as the
Glenmorgan tea estate.
Catherine Waterfalls
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Cascading from a height of 250
feet, the Catherine Falls are located in Kotagiri and the real definition of a
gem in the lap of nature. The falls are named after the wife of Mr. M.D
Cockburn, Catherine, who were the first Europeans to settle in Kotagiri and
also responsible for the coffee plantation in the area and Yercaud. Locally
known as Geddhehadda Halla, which means the ‘Foothills of the Dale River,'
Catherine falls clearly and can be best witnessed from a vantage point at
Dolphin’s Nose that allows you a glorious view of these double-cascading falls.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Land of the ancients, 'old
hills' is what Mudumalai literally translates into. It is one of the first
wildlife sanctuaries in the country and ranks among the top in the visual
beauty of its changing seasons. In summer, the deciduous trees shed their green
leaves and adorn a floral garb. With the arrival of the monsoons, fruits and
tender greens take their place. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is actually made
up of a number of old forest shooting blocks for big game namely Kargudi,
Theppakkadu and Masinagudi. Today they are a safe refuge for the largest land
mammal on earth, the elephant. Gaur are also found in large numbers. Both cross
over to and from Bandipur and large herds are easily seen. Splendid specimens
of chital and sambar complete the picture of paradise in which the tiger also
roams.
Stone House
The Stone House in Ooty is one
of the most significant and ancient monuments of Ooty that was inadvertently
instrumental in the further development of Ooty into a prominent British and
European Summer Resort that fostered the Hill Station to presently become one
of the most visited Tourist Destination in India and worldwide.
The Ooty Stone House was the
first building or rather Mansion to be constructed in a modern and yet colonial
style in Ooty that indirectly caused further modernization of Ooty with
numerous elegant cottages cropping up showcasing similar colonial architecture.
Thanks to the tourists who helped provide information
தகவல்கள் தந்து உதவிய சுற்றுலா பயணிகளுக்கு நன்றி