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Ooty
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Ooty
(Udhagamandalam),the capital of Nilgiris district
is popularly known as the Queen of hill stations, is one
of the important and Interesting Tourist spot of Tamilnadu.
Nilgris is a beautiful mountain range which is a part of
Western Ghats. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains".Totally
there are three places to visit namely Kothagiri, Coonoor
and Ooty. Among these three Ooty is given the primal importance
because of its scenic Beauty and excellent climate conditions
.Ooty is used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for
the Britishers during the colonial days. It is located at
the tri junction of Tamilnadu, kerala and Karnataka. It
is at 7500 feet above the sea level. |
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An
added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the
mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which
commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way
through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and
chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation,
gurgling streams and tea gardens. Ooty is a best place to
know the culture and tradition of India and tribal people. |
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History
Of This Beautiful Hill Resort
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 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.
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Fact
Files |
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Nearest
Air terminals :Nearest
Airport is Coimbatore (100 kms). |
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Nearest
Rail terminals : Nearest broad gauge railway head
is Mettupalayam (46 kms).Major broad gauge railway junction
is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities. Mettupalayam
to Ooty, is connected by a Mountain Railway which is 4 hours
journey. |
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 By
Road
:Ooty is connected by good roads.
To Madras 535 Kms. (Via Salem)
To Coimbatore 89 Kms
To Coonoor 18 Kms. (Via Gudalur)
To Mysore 160 Kms.
To Calicut 187 Kms.
To Bangalore 290 Kms.
To Cochin 281 Kms. (Via Coimbatore, Palakkad)
To Trichy 302 Kms. (Via Coimbatore, Karur)
To Kodaikanal 256 (Via Coimbatore, Palani)
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Important
Festivals |
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Tea
& Tourism Festival in Nilgiris
Thaipoosam in Elk Hill Murugan Temple
Bokkapuram Mariamman Annual Festival
Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival, Car Festival
Coonoor Mariamman Temple Festival, Car Festival
Boat Races and Boat Pageantry in Ooty
Summer Festival Dog Show in Ooty
Flower show in Ooty
Fruit show in Coonoor
World Tourism Day
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 January
February
February
April
April
May
May
May
May
September |
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In
and around Ooty |
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 •
Botanical Gardens (2 kms)
• Tiger Hill (16 kms)
• Dodabetta Peak (10 kms)
• Rose Garden
• Valley View Lake - Boat House Lake (1 km)
• Wilson Fish Farm, St. Stephen Church, Marlimund Lake
(5 kms)
• Wenlock Downs (2 kms)
• Avalanche (15 kms)
• Elk Hill, Kalhatti Falls (14 kms)
• Snowdon, Glen Morgen (25 kms)
• Masinagudi
• Coonoor
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Botanical
Garden |
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As the name says this Garden formed by Mr.Mc.Ivor during
the year 1857-1867 is a collection of flora. Words to be
found to describe the beauty of this botanical Garden. The
total area of this place is about 22 hectares. Situated
at the slope, down the hills at a height of 2400-2500 meters.
An explicit collection of flowering tress, Beautiful shrubs,
Rare colored lilies are seen, orchids present here are really
enchanting
Even rare species of cactus, Succulents and many pteridophytes
are seen here. Small glass house plants are also grown here.A
very pleasant experience is gained by visiting here. “Women
love flowers and men love women” so all love this
place as Nature mother loves the humankind. Not for words
but really a fantastic experience.
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Tiger
Hill |
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A
Beautiful hill located to the east of udagamandalam. That
too is at the lower bend of Dodda-Betta peak. Mountain Trekking
is a is an excellent thing to be done to reach the spot
actually for about 3 km. up the hill, A drinking water reservoir
is seen. A closed cave is seen at the upper parts of this
Hill. The reasons behind this closed cave will take us to
some legends. What ever may be the things this is an excellent
place to enjoy.
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Doddabetta |
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It
is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris and is
about 10 Kms from Ooty. It lies at the junction of the Western
& Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri
Hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense sholas. There are
three more hills along with Dodda-Betta, whose names are
needed to be mentioned because, the impressive udagamandalam
valley is seen as these four mountains unite among themselves.
Their names are the snowdown hill, the club hill and the
elk hill.
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Rose
Garden
Located less than a km from Charring Cross, the rose garden
is laid on 10 acres of land. The garden has a collection
of more than 1000 varieties of roses.
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Boat
House Lake |
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 Even
though the name of this lake is boat House Lake, people
use to call this lake as ooty lake. The British ruler called
john Sullivan has constructed this beautiful lake in the
years 1823-1825. He was the first collector of udagmandalm.
To enjoy the riding in this lake there are various types
of aquatic vehicles including pedal Boats, Row boats and
aqua bikes. Not only the watersports but, things like Dancing
cars and Mini Trains are the perks given to the Tourists.
Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation takes charge for
maintaining this Boat house lake. A place called Lake Park
jolly world is also located in this Boat house lake. A Pleasant
and pleasing feeling could be realized by visiting this
place. |
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Children’s
park |
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At
the eastern end of the lake we find a children’s park.
Already the climate and natural green carpet, adding pride
to ooty, this children’s park is also an important
place. The Green atmosphere, the St.Thomas church view and
the moving railway from the mountain would definitely attract
any child and will make them enjoy so much. There are really
Good entertainment inside this park. Rowing, Boating and
Horse riding are they. A park filled with fun, really. |
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Avalanche
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Located
at a distance of 25 km from ooty. A place that should not
be missed. A dam called Canada dam is seen here. An exotic
experience of mountain trekking could be realized in this
place. Green valleys around Avalanche and a top view or
Hawk’s view, By which the Beauty of a large area of
udagamnadalam could be seen are important ones. A nice hunt
for photographic Beauties. A Williamwordsworth sleeping
in every one’s inner mind would definitely waked up
in view of this place. A beautiful lake surrounded by a
thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate and abundant
with a wide variety of avifauna is a Nature Lover's Paradise. |
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Cairn
Hill
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Situated
at a distance of 3 km form the avalanche hills. The dense
cypress tree in this place makes it important. A very nice
picnic spot to visit. Withstanding many natural calamites
like Earthquakes, cyclones and Heavy rainfalls this small
But Beautiful place still survives which calls us every
now and then to visit. |
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Coonoor
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It
is located in an area of 13.2 sq on the way from Coimbatore
to Udhagamandalam. It is second largest hill station in
the Nigiris. It stands on a lower ridge of the plateau at
an altitude of 1858 mts. ( 6100 ft.) Population is 48003.
The road between Ooty and Coonoor is quite forested with
hills looming in the distance. Again, there are blind turns
and you have to be very careful around the corners. Coonoor
town seems as crowded as Ooty but, a little distance away
from the centre of the city peace descends again. Coonoor
is more charming as it has quaint houses, old churches and
not too many visitors as compared to its more famous neighbouring
city. Ooty and its rolling hills give way to snarling traffic
in the centre of town which is thankfully bypassed for a
smooth drive on the way to Coonoor.
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Ketti
Valley view
Situated on the coonoor Road This valley is the second largest
valley in the world. This region is a seen with larger constellations
of villages, that forms the parts of coimbatore and mysore.
An exclusive spot in ooty. |
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Masinagudi |
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The
road to Coonoor is the same till Mudumalai and Masinagudi.
It is another 35 km to Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty
and 18 more to Coonoor. The drive beyond Masinagudi entails
35 hairpin bends and though these are very enjoyable drives,
the trouble is, everyone else seems to think so too. Watch
out therefore for maniacs coming tearing down from the opposite
side. Masinagudi used to be an elephant corridor. So don't
be too surprised if you do see some wild tuskers on the
road. Apart from the scenic beauty of the road, the drive
through Masinagudi is charming in itself. |
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Kotagiri
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It
is 31 kms. from Udhagamandalam. The climate is very salubrious
which is 6503 feet above sea level. Kotagiri is shielded
by the Doddabetta ranges which receives much of its rain
from north west monsoon. One can enjoy a pleasure ride on
road flanked by green tea beds on either side. |
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Accomodation
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