Location: Niligiri District, Tamil
Nadu
Discovered By: British In 1800
Highest Peak:Doddabetta
Famous Festivals:Summer Festival And
The Tea And Tourism Festival |
Tourism in
Udhagamandalam (Ooty)
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.
Hindustan Photo Films
The Hindustan Photo Films, one of the major
industrial units of the district, is located
about 5-km away from Ooty railway station
over a sprawling area of over 300 acres,
near the Ooty golf-links on the Ooty- Mysore
road.
EXCURSIONS
The Mukkurthi Peak And National Park
About 40-km from Ooty, is a beautiful peak
called "Mukkurthi". The Mukkurthi National
Park is located on the Southern corner of
the Nilgiri Plateau. The Kollaribetta and
Nilgiris Peak are other major peaks around.
A number of little perennial streams flow
between these peaks, which fall into Bhavani
Puzha. Silent Vally is located on the
Western side in the Western Ghat, which is a
feast to the visitor's eye.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri
Hills, the offshoot of the Western Ghats
meet the Eastern Ghats. The Mudumalai
Wildlife sanctuary has varied mixture of
flat land, open grassland, swamp, valley and
nullas.
Pykara
Pykara is situated about 21-km from Ooty.
Some of the tourist attractions of this
place are well-protected fenced sholas, Toda
settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and
also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara
Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts
many tourists. A boathouse with restaurant
and a rest house are available at Pykara.
Best Time To Visit
The climate of Ooty is pleasant throughout
the year. The best time to visit is between
February to May and September to November.
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.
Local Transport
Taxis, tourist cabs, auto rickshaws are
available in plenty. There are no standard
rates except tourist cabs. Town buses are
also available to all important places.
Conducted sight seeing tours are arranged by
the private operators and the Government
Tourism Development Corporation.
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.
ENTERTAINMENT IN OOTY
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.
Angling
Goad Trout, Carp and mixed water fishing is
possible in various streams and lakes of
Ooty. The Assistance Director of Fisheries
issues the fishing licence.
FESTIVALS
Summer Festivals
A summer festival is held each year during
the month of May in the Botanical Gardens,
which is an added attraction for tourists.
The Flower Show is the pride of the
festival. Cultural programmes are organised
for those interested in traditional
classical arts. Adventure spots like
trekking also form part of the festival.
Tea And Tourism Festival
The annual "Tea and Tourism Festival"
celebrated in the month of January is a draw
for tourists.
SHOPPING
Just about anything available in the cities
can be had at Ooty with the added attraction
of leisurely shopping. Exclusive Nilgiri
products including Nilgiri tea, fruits,
natural oils like Eucalyptas, Toda
embroideries, plant nurseries are easily
available in the town. Co-operative Super
Market and Municipal Market are some of the
best places for shopping fruits and general
groceries. Kairali of Kerala Handicrafts and
Poompuhar of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts have
their showrooms near to Super Market
Buildings on Charring Cross.
RESTAURANTS
Blue hills
Chandan Vihar
Tandoor Mahal
Ooty Coffee House
Chinkos Chinese Restaurant
Hills Palace
TOURIST OFFICE
Tourist Office, Government of Tamil Nadu
Supermarket Complex
Charring Cross
Udhagamandalam-1
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area 36-sq-kms
Population 8,1763 (1991 Census)
Altitude 2,623 metres
Clothing Light woollen in summer and heavy
woollen during winter
Languages Spoken Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada
and English
STD Code 0423
Temperature Range (deg C): Summer- Max 25ºC,
Min 10ºC
Winter- Max 21ºC, Min 5ºC
Rainfall 121 cms
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India
Travel Guide / States / Tamil Nadu / Cities / Udhagamandalam /
Ooty Travel
