Visit Ooty

Location : Tamil Nadu

Altitude : 7,500 feet above MSL

Temperature : Summer temperature varies from 10C to 25C; winter temperature varies from 0C to 21C

Importance : Queen of the Hill Stations in South India

Best Season : Between November and March, avoiding high-season crowds (April-June and September-October)

Ooty (Ootacamund) the Queen of the Hill Stations, as well recognized as Blue Mountains is one of the most gorgeous hill stations in India. This hill station has marvelous green downs and supercilious hills of astonishing picturesque splendor and is brilliant with a wholesome climate comparable to the English summer.

Positioned in the Western Ghats at a height of 7,500ft, Oooty or Udhagamandalam is the center of operations of the Nilgiri district. Ooty was the previous summer retreat of the British. John Sullivan, the collector of Coimbatore who established the first European settlement at this point, came across Ooty's tranquil scenery in 19th century for the duration of one of his wandering exploration for rare flowers. The name Ooty or Ootacamund originate its name from the local Toda word Udhamandalam which means village of huts. The Tamil Whotai a species of short bamboo that grow up in the forests, kai, signifies a fruit or green substance in the middle and the Toda, mund implies a village clapped at the ending. Ooty, nevertheless, got its name for the period of the British rule, by calling wotykamund in the Madras gazette.

Ooty snuggled in an amphitheater fashioned by four magnificent hills Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill and Club Hill. These hills are fraction of the Nilgiri ranges that are actually the gathering point for the Western and the Eastern Ghats.

Ooty has turn out to be more of a paradise for the honeymooners and an effectively filming position. Separately from coffee and tea plantations, trees akin to conifers, pine and wattle speck the hillside of Oooty and its surroundings. Whilst on visit one will as well come across numerous eucalyptus trenches.

The unsullied aroma of eucalyptus trees in a fashionable and balmy breeze will make one psychedelic in no doubt. The blossoms having shape of funnel wrapper the hills in floral abundance and the lavender blue flowers stretch over the mountains will bunch one with reminiscences for the life span.

Ooty has a lot of places to perceive. The heavenly valley views, serene forest ranges, stunning flora and fauna with vivacious music of the wildlife.

A non-natural lake erected by Mr. John Sullivan, as a tank for the purpose of irrigation. The 2.5 km elongated lake wrap an area of extra than 25 hectare with the celebrated toy train line operation all along individual bank, boats for rowing are obtainable for hire. One can as well go for horse back riding in the order of the lake. This is one of the mainly well-liked tourist spot. Pony rides for children are a key magnetism. The mini train for children is still an additional attraction.

Botanical Garden

Erected in 1847, by an Englishman Marquis of Tweed dale, this moderately, gorgeous, well preserved garden wrap a region of 22 acres. It has 2000 diverse species of trees, produced beds positioned in an Italian style, gorgeous flowers together with orchids, a fossil tree shaft of 20 million years, a diminutive artificial pond, alpine and therapeutic plants among stunning lawns and glass dwellings. The bushes are hacked into the figure of animals and birds.

Yearly flower show is apprehended here in third week May each year. This show is one of the chief magnetism of Ooty. The rose garden 750m from Charming Cross contains more than 1,500 multiplicities of roses.

The Best time: September to October and from April to May of the year.
Timing: 8 A.M - 6 A.M.
Entry fee: Rs. 5 per head for adults, Children- Rs.2

Doddabeta Peak

Nearly 10km east of the Railway Station, off the Kotagiri Rd 2623 meters the uppermost peak this is an enormous place to get pleasure from the extravagant observation of the mountainous valleys and peaks. This position has a pleasant view tower in which one can use high power TTDC telescope to outlook neighboring places. On a brilliant day, one can have a bird's eye observation of the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore, the plateau towns Ooty along with Coonoor and the quarters at Wellington can also be observed at aloofness.

Pykara

Positioned at an expanse of 19 kms from Ooty the river has a dam along with a power plant. The immense charm of the position is its wonderful tranquility, gleaming environment and captivating backdrop. The falls nearly 6km from the bridge on the major road, are most excellent in July. There is a forest Rest House and a boat House with Restaurant is at Pykara. Boats are obtainable for hire in Pykara dam.

Stone House
This house was erected by John Sullivan. The tribal people called it as Kal Bangla or stone bungalow.

St. Stephens Church
The church was built in Ooty during the year1820 and it is believed that the timber required to build this church was fetched from Lal Bag Palace, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan in Srirangapatnam subsequent to his ultimate defeat.
These logs had to be dragged up by the elephants from the plains. The church having a clock tower, tubular bells along with a gallery is the centre of attraction.

Black Thunder
Black Thunder – the Water Theme Park only of its kind in Asia is located at the foot of the hills of the enormous Nilgris and is at distance of 50 kms from Ooty. It is a breathtaking and adventures water theme park at Mettupalayam. The water theme park is extended in excess of 65 acres of land in the midst of green hills as milieu and packed with coconut and areca nut trees create a pleasurable ambiance. This park has courageous water sports event and land games.

How to Reach

By Air: The adjoining airport is Coimbatore (100km) which is linked to Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore.

By Rail: Udhamandalam has the narrow gauge railway. It is linked to Mettupalayam (46km) which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai on broad gauge. Mettupalayam to Ooty, is connected by a Mountain Railway which is 4 hours journey.

By Road: Udhamandalam is linked by good quality tarmac road. It is 535km from Chennai (Salem, Mettupalayam); 89km from Coimbatore.
Bus: There are normal bus services linking Udhamandalam to Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kannyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut and Tirupati.