Ooty or Udhagamandalam lies nestled in the Nilgiris at a
point where the boundaries of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu coalesce.
Situated at a height of 7,349 ft above sea level, the hill station is a
beautiful feather in Tamil Nadu's cap. In the early 19th century, it served
as a perfect summer retreat for the Government of Madras. Today, it draws a
great number of vacationers, honeymooners, adventure freaks and even film
stars from all parts of the country and outside. When a profusion of
lavender-blue flowers of the Strrobilanthes cover the slopes, there's
created a scene what we call 'blue mountains'. Beautiful orchards, sylvan
valleys and snow-crested peaks exude a unique charm that is Ooty.
Attractions
» Ooty Lake - The man-made Ooty Lake is one of the
chief attractions in Ooty. The lake is the creation of Mr. John Sullivan,
the then Collector of Coimbatore. It came into being in the year 1824 and
since then has been affecting travellers and tourers.
» Doddabetta Peak - The highest peak (2623 m) in the
Nilgiris, Doddabetta lies at a distance of 10 km from Ooty. The peak affords
fantastic views of the Nilgiri Ranges. The peak stands at the junctions of
the Eastern and Western Ghats.
» Botanical Gardens - Covering an area of 50 acres,
the Botanical Gardens is a major attractions in the hill resort of Ooty. The
garden was created and developed in the year 1848 by Marquis of Tweeddale.
The gardens cover the lower slopes of the Doddabetta Peak.
» St. Stephens Church - Standing on the Club Road,
St. Stephens Church is considered to be the oldest church in the Nilgiris.
The church, built in 1829, uses a bean that is taken from the palace of Tipu
Sultan at Srirangapatnam. Don't forget to pay a visit to the cemetery as the
grave of John Sullivan, the founder of the Ooty, lies here buried.
» Rose Garden - Moving 4 km away from Charring Cross
gets you to the Rose Garden. The garden claims an area of 10 acres and
houses 2,000 varieties of roses. It's a place you should not miss
» Government Museum - The Government lies on the
Mysore Road and exhibits a number of tribal objects and the celebrated works
of art and craft of Tamil Nadu. The museum was established in the year 1989
to provide cognition relating to the Nilgiri District.
Climate
Ooty enjoys a pleasant climate all the year round. So, anytime is good time
to pay a visit to this hill station. The average summer temperature records
25 degrees. During winters, the temperature may drop down to near freezing.
However, there is a warmth in the snow as well. Winter season turns the hill
retreat into a complete paradise.
Getting There
Coimbatore, lying at a distance 105 km, is the closest airport. Ooty lies
on the narrow gauge railway connecting to Mettupalaya (47 km) which is
further linked with Coimbatore and Chennai. Road network is well
established. There are regular bus services to/ from Coimbatore, Trichy,
Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut, Tirupati etc.
Taxis, tourist cabs and auto-rickshaws are the local modes of transport in
Ooty. Tourist cabs have, however, standard rates.
