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Picture this. Verdant green hills, the scent of fresh eucalyptus leaves, rolling tea gardens and quiet, little streams. Seems like paradise, isn’t it? Yeah, that’s Ooty for you.
Popularly known as the queen of hill stations, Ooty (also known as Udhagamandalam) is a picturesque little hill town in South India. This major tourist destination is located in the Nilgiris Mountains, at a height of 7,347 feet above sea level. Ooty is home to many scenic picnic spots, beautiful gardens, a man-made lake and quaint little cottages that spell old-world charm and sophistication.
Special attractions in and around Ooty:
Once you reach Ooty, it would be a smart thing to take your camera and head to the Botanical Gardens which houses some very old and rare species of plants and trees. The Botanical Gardens also houses a beautiful rose garden, sporting blooms of various sizes, shapes and colors, all through the year. The Ooty lake winds across the middle of the town for a distance of two kilometers. You can hire a boat at the boat house and paddle across the lake for a few hours far from the cares of the world.
Next, you can head to the Dodabetta Peak, which is the highest point in the district. On a clear day, you can have a wonderful view of the valley below and the dense forests covering the plains. Pykara, 19 kilometres from Ooty, boasts a beautiful waterfall and a dam. Pykara has a rich wildlife, some dense vegetation and an undisturbed Toda settlement.
History of Ooty:
Ooty’s history dates back to the early part of the nineteenth century when John Sullivan, the Collector of Coimbatore district commenced work on laying a bridle path up the hill to Kotagiri and Dhimatti in 1812. This was the first route to Ooty, which was to become a summer retreat for the British during the colonial times. John Sullivan also built the first house in Ooty and called it the Stone Place. Ooty became an independent district in 1868. What was once a summer haven for the British colonists, mainly because of its wonderful, cool weather, has become a crowded tourist destination, today.
Also, don’t miss out on the lovely flower show that is organized at the Botanical Gardens in May every year. The Ooty boat house organizes boat races during the summer, each year which draws in huge crowds.
Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November
Location:
State: Tamilnadu
District: Nilgiris
Distance from nearest cities: Coimbatore – 100 kms; Chennai- 535 kms
How to reach Ooty:
Nearest airport: Coimbatore Airport
Nearest railway stations: Mettupalayam to Ooty connected by the Mountain, Coimbatore
The best way to reach Ooty is by taking the mountain rail route from Kallar, near Mettupalayam by the old-fashioned, coal-powered train. As the train chugs along lush, green forests and winds through tunnels, you’ll be mesmerized by the beautiful landscape that surrounds you.
Directions by road from nearby cities: Well-connected to all major cities in South India. 535 km from Chennai (via Salem), 89 km from Coimbatore, 155 km from Mysore, 290 km from Bangalore
Contact: Tamilnadu Tourism, Chennai: (phone) 91-422-421 79092
Climatic Conditions:
Summer : Max. 25°C, Min. 10°C
Winter : Max. 21°C, Min. 5°C
Clothing: Light sweaters during summer; heavy woolen clothing during winter
Nearby Travel Places: Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - 64 kms from Ooty; Kotagiri - 31 kms from Ooty; Coonoor - 17 kms from Ooty
This article was contributed by Rupa
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