Ooty Trips


Ooty Short Description

Ooty / Udhagai / Udhagamandalam / Ootacamund


Udhagamandalam, which is the Head Quarters of the district, is the largest and most important hill station in south India. This principle station on the Nilgiris is at an elevation of 2286 meters and situated at the center of the district. It is an extensive valley enclosed on all sides but the west by a lofty range of hills. The name of the ooty or Ootacamand was first mentioned in about 1821 in the Madras Gazette which was then spelt as "Wotokymund" by an anonymous correspondent who was one among the Europeans to set an eye on Ootacamand. It is also fondly called the Queen of Hill Stations.

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.

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.

Head for the hills!
Ooty, or Udhagamandalam as it is now officially known was founded by the British in the mid - 19th century. Located at an altitude of 2,240 metres above sea-level, Udhagamandalam has salubrious weather all around the year. It’s no wonder then that thousands of tourists flock here, year after year.

One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. 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.

Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes.

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.

If you want to find a cove simple and charming enough for a romantic getaway, there is hardly any place to match the beauty of Ooty. This is one of the most beautiful places that you will ever have the fortune of visiting.

Ooty is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Many of the forested areas and water bodies are off limits to most visitors in order to protect this fragile ecosystem. Some areas of the Biosphere Reserve have been earmarked for Tourism Development, and steps are being undertaken to open these areas to visitors whilst conserving the area. Generally tourists are encouraged to observe any local signage and not to enter reserved forests and protected areas. Much of Ooty has already been damaged by rampant commercialisation as a result of tourism. Some steps are being introduced to limit the impact of pollution by tourists in the biosphere reserve such as making the area a plastic-free zone. This largely applies to plastic bags.

Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam or Nilagiri, which stands 7,349 feet above sea level in the Nilgiris, is known as the Queen of southern hill resorts of India. Ooty, as it is popularly known, spreads over 36 square miles and offers a picturesque green feast for the eyes. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle line the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its environs.

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.

Ooty pronunciation, short for Ootacamund pronunciation (the official name is Udhagamandalam, sometimes abbreviated to Udhagai, is a city, a municipality and the district capital of the Nilgiris district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Ooty or Udhagamandalam, the capital of Nilgiri district, is popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations' among the tourist circuits. Situated at a distance of 105 km away from Coimbatore, Ooty is a lovely place with lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles of tea gardens. Situated at an altitude of 2,240 m above sea level, Ooty is a land of picturesque picnic spots.

An added attraction for the tourists to Ooty / Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey, which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way Nilgiri Hills - Ootythrough many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens.

If you holiday in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, you will find the Queen of South India Hill resorts - Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, commonly known as Ooty. Situated 7,349 feet above sea level in the Nilgiri Hills, Ootacamund extends over 36 square miles and is green with coffee and tea plantations, and various species of trees such as pine, eucalyptus and wattle. Originally inhabited by tribal people known as the Todas, Ooty was developed as a hill resort by the British in the early 1800's when it became the summer capital of Madras Presidency.
even today retains a flavour of colonial times, with beautiful bungalows, quaint cottages, the Ootacamund Club, the Nilgiri Library, St Stephens Church and a cemetery. The Ootacamund Derby, which attracts the best racing talent in India, is a popular holiday attraction

Front of Ootacamund Club, 1905:
The Nilgiri Hills were part of Chera Empire in ancient times. later it fell in to the hand of Ganga dynasty. and then Hoysala empire under king Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. They then became part of the Kingdom of Mysore of Tipu Sultan who later surrendered them to the British in the 18th century.

John Sullivan, the British governor of neighbouring Coimbatore province, liked the climate of this forested land, and occupied it by taking land from the native tribes (Toda, Irumba and Badaga); often buying up many square kilometres in a day for the price of a few meals.

The hills were developed rapidly under the British Raj because they were almost entirely owned by private British citizens, unlike the rest of India. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, and had winding hill roads and a complicated rack railway system built by influential and enterprising British citizens with venture capital from the Madras government.

It is believed the Blue Mountains appear so because of the vast Nilgiri forest surrounding them.


Ooty Long Description

One Man's Ooty:
Gnarled, knobbed and twisted, Sullivan’s oak is an appropriate metaphor for Ootacamund. On the one hand it is apparent that the tree has been much better years; a 1905 photograph capture it standing tall, robust and bushy before what were then the Secretariat offices. On the other, it has survived the ravages of time; look closer and you will discover that its branches have a tangled beauty and that its alternate leaves glow softly in the wintry sun.

John Sullivan, the man who founded Ooty, planted this oak over 150 years ago in front of what was then his residence, Stonehouse. Over the years, Stonehouse was subsumed in flurry of construction for the office of the Secretariat. And today, these offices have become the Government Arts College – a tale of change and continuity that is very much the story of Ooty

John Sullivan
Identifying Stone House
When you are caught in the snarl and disorder that is Commercial Street; are suffocated settle on the town in a noisy swarm; or are
looking at the “morden” box-like houses that are strung out on the town in a pattern that resembles terrace cultivation; you can’t help wondering whether Sullivan’s
Ooty has vanished forever. Yes it is lost. But yes, it also survives. If you are armed with a sketch of an original ground plan and elevation of Stonehouse, you can identify the exact portions of the old residence- the very first European house in Ootacamund – that were incorporated with the Secretariat office building. If you walk through the over ground and beautifully unkempt cemetery at St. Stephen’s, which lies on a small outcrop behind what must be one of the country’s prettiest churches, you will find the graves of Sullivan’s wife, Henrietta, and his 16-year-old daughter, Harriet. They died within 10 days of each other in 1838.

The famous Ooty Lake – that serpentine stretch of water that has deteriorated in to a sewer-was Sullivan’s creation too. He dammed a stream in order to collect water for the nearby fields, but somehow it never developed in to the headwater of an irrigation system. Half the lake was appropriate and filled in for the racecourse, but the other half still remains one of the remains one of the main tourist attractions in the hill station. But as Reverend Philip Mulley suggests, his real legacy goes well beyond a building that endures here or a crumbling grave that survives there. “ His impact is evident almost every where,” says Mulley, who has keen interesting the history and sociology of the Nilgiris.

It was Sullivan who revolutionised agricultural practice in these mountains, there by changing the face of the local economy. He did this not merely through the introduction of tea (which was commercialized only years after his death), but by freely distributing speed for a large assortment of cereals, fruit and vegetables. He brought in European varieties of wheat and barley (which the Badagas knew as Sullivan ganji), vegetables such as cabbage, radish and turnip and fruits such as peach, apple and strawberry. It was Sullivan who persuaded the initially skeptical Directors of the East India Company to develop the Nilgiris as a sanatorium for sick British troops. And it was Sullivan again who encouraged the construction of the early ghat roads up in to the hills. As anthropologist and Nilgiris expert Paul Hockings has noted: “His impact was widespread and permanent.”

Golf ( 100 years origin):||
The originator of golf at Ootacamund was Colonel Ross Thompson, R.E. who brought it in 1889,from banglore, when he had been transfered as Executive Engineer, Nilgiri district. He beagn with a few holes, partly in the ground of the A.B.C., and partly on the adjecent land belonging to the Hobart Park. These pioneer link were used principally by ladies but owing to one cause and another they did not find much favour. In consequence of this, Colonel Ross Thompson, brigadier - general Van Straubenzee,and Colonel Straker R.A., selected, some time in febraury of the following years, a site near the municipal rubbish depot and the road out to the Governor's Shola, on which links consisting of eighteen holes were laid out. the starting point of the course was on the slope above the turn on the road the lake, to the west of Woodstock.

Golf Ground & Shooting Spot Ooty:
In march 1891, Colonel Fane Sewell, then honorary Secretary of the Blue Mountains Tennis and Cricket Club, which was the result of the amalgamation of the revived the playing of golf on the Hobart Park, by obtaining the permission of the municipal council, as the custodian of the ground, oto form on it a course of nine holes. In his application he wrote "the royal and ancient Game of golf is now became a very popular one in which part of the community is nearly certain towish to participate" These links I can remember. For a time, these were used frequently by ladies and a few men, but also very lasting intrest was taken in them. Those seriously professing golf all went to the links on the downs, of which restriction has been made on the previous page, and thet formed a club, which united with the present Gymkhana, in September 1896. The Municipal corner links as they were usually called by the polite the impolite had another, and perhaps more appropriate name for them were used until June 11 1899, when owing party to the annoyance frequently caused by the evil smells issuing from the rubbish depot, and partly to a wish to have a better course.

It was resolved, at the meeting of golfing member of the Gymakhan club to request the General Committee to permit removal of the golf ground to another part of the downs. The sanction sought was accorded, and the existing links, which until recently consisted of fifteen holes, were then constructed, the old course being abandoned. They start from the eastern end of the "Cockey's Course". Which is by no means level ground and are laid over some rather broken country. They are, I believe, considered by practiced golfers quite satisfactory. Whether they are or not, any one restoring to them obtaining plenty of fresh air, and a lovely view of the Kunda range, with a long sweep of shoals and rolling downs as a foreground. I can call to mind the outcry against the new links when they were first started and the abuse showered on the man a scot who was at the bottom of the move, on the ground that the course laid out, mainly at his suggestion was exceeding difficult, and at a terrible distance from ottacamund.

Commencing from 1929, water was pumped by a hydraulic ram from the stream in the valley and storage tank and feeder pipes were installed in 1970 from when the pumping was done electrically and the browns gradually changed to greens.

From 1906, the amateur golf champion ship is held annually during the summer season. The first winner was major quinton and R.B. Carrick has the distinction of having won it nine time between 1914 and 1929. In recent years several major tournaments have been organized on the links. A leading golfer of the country after having won a major tournament here said that the Ooty golf course was one of the best course to practice in the country because of its peculiar conditions. The 18 holes courser is located at a height of about 7,4000 feet, width a par of 70 over 6,207 yard. The scienc beauty and breathtaking views make the course one of the most sought after in India. Hundreds of movies in several Indian language have been shot on these links too.

Demographics:
As of 2001 India census,[7] Udhagamandalam had a population of 93,921. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Udhagamandalam has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 75%. In Udhagamandalam, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The Government Gardens, Horticultural Societies:
Introduction of some of the better known Trees and Plants.

The earliest gardens of any size or importance in Ootacamund were those attached to Stonehouse and Southdowns, both originally owned by Mr. J. Sullivan. The former of these was, for over six years, held on lease by Government, and a latter was the property of the State for ten years, dating from December 1829. The Garden were maintained by Government, who employed a comparatively larger staff for this purpose. They appear however to have been more of an ornamental than useful character, and the general public derived no benefit from them.

During the time the Ootacamund was under military controls, considerable cultivation of vegetables for the market was carried on by so- called settlers and others, but towards the end of this epoch, which closed in 1841, there were a great falling off, due no doubt to lack of demand arising from the abandonment of the place as a military sanitarium. The present Government Gardens had their origin in one which was established in 1845, by subscription amongst the European residents, for the purpose of supplying themselves with vegetables, at a reasonable cost. The site occupied was, so it has been ascertained, the spot immediately below the ornamental pond close to the band stand, and now forming part of the lawn, planted with exotic trees, which faces one on entering the Gardens. Captain molyneux, of the 2nd European Regiment, managed it, The subscribers paying Rs.3 a month, and receiving their vegetables free of charge. In less than a couple of years’ times, however, this arrangement was found not to work so satisfactorily as had been expected, and, early in 1847, a fund was raised, by means of donations and subscriptions, with a view to form a Horticultural Society, and start a Public Garden.

Ooty is famous for its healthy climate and scenic beauty. For residents of the south it is a delightful place to escape to from the oppressive summer heat. The best thing about Ooty is that it combines the peace and serenity of a hill station with the comforts of urban life. Ooty's colonial legacy extends to very nook and corner, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Ooty club that is beyond compare.

This region is entirely a group of mountains which are Natural sky scrappers. The Mountains are so high, such that we can see the clouds crossing the way when we Travel. Another important experience which every Traveler gets when they come here is the Dangerous, but thrilling Hair-pin Bends. Our mind would record an excellent scenic Beauty which is immortal when we Travel through this way.

Not only the sceneries But also the minute frame work of Tamilnadu Roadways and valuable support provided by Tourism development corporation of Tamilnadu is seen. Man’s desires are endless, But the search of satisfaction and peace is what he seeks in this modern world. This place is definitely such a place where we can forget ourselves by loitering in lawns, fishing, playing Golf & tennis etc. Nature made udagamandalam is definitely a different place in this man made world of inventions.

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.

Ootacamund is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills. The origin of the name Ootacamund is obscure, but "mund" is the Badaga word for a Toda village, and it is probably a corruption of the Badaga name for the central region of the Nilgiri Plateau.[1] Another likely origin of the stem of the name ("Ootaca") comes from the local language Tamil where "Otta-Cal" literally means "Single Stone". This is perhaps a reference to a sacred stone revered by the local Toda people. Udhagamandalam is a more recent official Tamil name for the town. Ooty stands at an approximate height of 7,440 feet (2,268 metres) above sea level.
Contents
[hide]

Tourism Industry:
Located in the mountainous range called the Blue Mountains or Nilgiris, Ooty draws a large number of tourists every year. The weather is quite pleasant at a mean of 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F) year round, dropping to lows of 0 °C (32 °F) during winter. The hill town suffers from rampant commercialization and various other ecological and infrastructural issues.

The landscape is marked by rolling hills and plateaus covered with dense vegetation, tea gardens, and eucalyptus trees. Many portions of the hills are preserved as natural reserve forests, and special permits are needed to camp outside of campgrounds. Ooty is more of a focal point of attraction for tourists, who also undertake auto tours of the surrounding countryside.

The hilly region also houses smaller towns like Coonoor and Kotagiri. These towns are less than an hour's drive away from Ooty and enjoy the same climate, but have fewer tourists and cheaper prices.

Local Economy:
Ooty is also a district headquarters. Though much of the local economy is now dominated by tourism, Ooty still is a supply base and market town for the surrounding area which is still largely dependant on agriculture, notably the cultivation of "English Vegetables" which are grown here because of the cool climates. This primarily consists of potato, carrot, cabbage and cauliflower. There is a daily wholesale auction of these products at the Ooty Municipal Market. Dairy farming has long been present in the area and there is a cooperative dairy in Ooty manufacturing cheese and skimmed milk powder.

As a result of the local agricultural industry, some research institutes are based in Ooty. These include a soil conservation centre and a potato research farm. Efforts are being made to diversify the range of local crops and subsequently some Floriculture and Sericulture is being introduced in the local area, as well as the cultivation of mushrooms.

The only significant manufacturing industry is Hindustan Photo Films, the erstwhile photo film manufacturer in India. This is located on the outskirts of the town at Indu Nagar. Other manufacturing industries are located in the wider area. The most significant of these are in Ketti (manufacture of needles); Aruvankadu (manufacture of cordite) and Coonoor (manufacture of rabies vaccine).

There is some cottage industry activity in the area including chocolate manufacture and carpentry.

Though the local area is known for tea cultivation, this is neither grown nor processed in Ooty. Tea is grown at slightly lower altitude and hence Coonoor and Kotagiri are local centres of tea cultivation and processing.

The ‘queen of hill stations’, or ‘Snooty Ooty’ to generations of English, is not what it was. The Nilgiri Hills (nila, blue, plus girl, hills) around are still beautiful and the climate is as refreshing as ever. The Botanical Gardens are outstanding and the Chennai Turf Club organizes races during the season (mid- April to mid- June).
Outdoor pursuits include fishing (carp in the lake and trout in the streams), golf and walking; details from the tourist office. Ooty is at an altitude of 2286m, and despite being so close to the equator temperatures drop nearly to zero at night in winter.
Ooty’s claim to a place in history is guaranteed, oddly enough, by snooker. The game was developed by bored British officers including Neville Chamberlain, later the British Prime Minister, in the club in the closing years of the 19th century. The name has recently been indianised to Udhagamandalam but will be at least 50 years before anyone other than civil servants and the most ardent nationalists call it anything but Ooty.


History

Laying the Foundation
Sullivan didn’t ‘discover’ the Nilgiris, but he was the first to see its potential as a sanatorium and he laid the foundations that changed the social and economic face of these hills. Other European had been up before. An enigmatic Jesuit priest, father Fininicio, made The first expedition in 1603. He made the journey up from Calicut, but all that remains of his visit to Todamala is a small fragment that reveals he tried to converse with the Badagas about Christianity and that he gave “Toda women looking glasses and hanks of thread, with which they were very much pleased”. Two centuries later, after the British had annexed Mysore, There were other expeditions by men such as Buchanan, Mackenzie, keys and MacMohan, some of them reaching only the lower slopes.

It was in 1818 that two youthful Assistant collectors of Coimbatore, Whish and Kindersley, made it to the made it to the Nilgiris plateau. It is not clear what took then up. One story goes they may have been on a shooting expedition, another that they chasing tobacco smugglers. Their account of their explorations, which were of a place that was cool and teeming with the game and wildfowl, stoked the interest of the boss. Sullivan, who was then the permanent Collector of Coimbatore, made the ascent the following year. The letter he wrote from the “Neilgherry hills” to Thomas Munro, who went on to become Governor of Madras, is ecstatic. “This is the finest country ever…. It resembles I suppose Switzerland more than any other part of Europe… the hills beautifully wooded and fine strong spring with running water in every valley.” Within a few months, Sullivan had constructed a small cottage a Dimhutti, near Kotagiri. It had gone to ruin over the years, being used, among other things, as a cowshed; only recently was it restored by the district administration, thanks to the efforts of the environmental forum, the save Nilgiris Campaign, and the enthusiasm of an energetic Collector. Some years ago, D. Venugopal of the save Nilgiris Campaign, which has been at the forefront of keeping Sullivan’s memory alive, organized a trek that retraced the route he took up to the hills.

By 1822, Sullivan had started building stone house in what was then known as Wotokymond, acquiring land from the Todas at one rupee an acre. He would quickly corner huge tracts of land, many times more than all the other European settler put together. All the while ,Sullivan was peppering his superiors in Madras with letters about the unusually temperate and healthy climate in the Nilgiris and its suitability as a sanatorium. By 1828, there were some 25 European houses, not to mention churches and the houses of immigrants from the plains. This was also the year that Ooty was made a military cantonment. Sullivan’s dream of making it a sanatorium for British troops had been fulfilled, but the governments action meant that Ooty would no longer be in his control but in that of his rival Major William Kelso.

But Sullivan wasn’t through with Ooty. After he finished his tenure as Collector of Coimbatore, he returned in his capacity as the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue of the Madras Presidency.

Liberal Views
What kind of man was he? The only surviving photograph presents a somewhat portly person, who seems both sad and sullen. The only way of piecing his personality together is from scanty official records. We know, for instance, that he was extremely well disposed towards the tribal population – an attitude that brought him into conflict with senior Government officials. He argued, as early as 1832, that the “natives should be entrusted with a great share in the administration of their own affairs”. Remarkably, he also advocated the view that the Todas had total proprietary rights over the lands in the Nilgiris plateau and that they must receive compensation for any land acquired from them. Considering the times he lived in, Sullivan’s views suggest that he was an exraordinarily liberal man. H.B Grigg, in his A Manual of the Nilgiri District in the Madras Presidency (1880),describes him as a “friend of the native”.

At the same time, Sullivan laid himself open to charges that he had used his position in government to acquire enormous personal wealth. He retired and left to England in 1841 and died unsung on January 16,1855 – exactly 150 years to this day. “Most people in Ooty do not even know he existed,” says lawyer and environmental activist B.J Krishnan. “But the important thing for the future of these hills is that we retain the spirit and energy of Sullivan.” The Save Nilgiris Campaign had planned a procession of tribals and a public meeting on January 16, 2005 opn the occasion of his 150th death anniversary.

Udagamandalam, the ‘Queen of Hills’ perched at an altitude of 7,500 feet, amidst the verdant Nilgiris or Blue Mountains was first discovered in 1819, by John Sullivan, the then collector of Coimbatore. The ambient beauty of Ooty, the most popular hill station of the South, lies in its peaceful ranges surrounded by a misty blue haze. The colonial legacy of this British developed hill resort is still reflected in its terraced Botanical Garden, private schools, Ooty club and churches.


General Information

Location - In the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu.
Founded By - British in 1800.
District Area -:36 Sq. km.
Population - 87,763
Altitude - 2,240 mts.
Climate :Summer : Max. 25°C, Min. 10°C
Winter : Max. 21°C, Min. 5°C
Rainfall -121cms
Season - April to June and September to November
Languages -Badaga, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam and English
Clothing Heavy Woolen in winter
Light Woolen in summer
Time - 5.30 GMT
STD Code 0423
ISD Code +91
Population - 8,1763 (1991 Census)
Best Buys : -Exclusive Nilgiri products including Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptas, Toda embroideries, plant nurseries.
Best Hangouts : - Hills, lake, gardens, etc.
Best Activity : - Stroll around the hill resort.
Festivals :- Summer Festival, Tea and Tourism Festival.
Nearby Tourist Destinations :-Kodaikanal, Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Calicut, Coonoor.
When to Visit : September to May


Best Time to Visit

The climate of Ooty is pleasant throughout the year. The best time to visit is between April-June and September-October.


How to Get There

By Air:
Air Timing at Coimbatore
The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. It has domestic flights to several major Indian cities and is an international airport with direct services to Singapore, Sharjah and Colombo.
You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Indian Airlines flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai and Coimbatore. The next nearest airport to Ooty is Bangalore Airport which is at a road distance of 290 km north of Ooty.

By Train:
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.

By Road:
Ooty is situated on National Highway 67. It is connected by road to travellers from the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka via the five main accepted Nilgiri Ghat Roads.

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.

Ooty is well connected by good roads. It is 535 km from Chennai (via Salem), 89 km from Coimbatore, 18 km from Coonoor (via Gudalur), 155 km from Mysore, 187 km from Calicut, 290 km from Bangalore, 281 km from Kochi (via Coimbatore and Palakkad), 236 km from Kodaikanal (via Coimbatore and Palani)
There is a regular bus service from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Calicut, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur, Tirupathi and Cochin. Buses ply regularly to Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagiri, Coonoor and Doddabeta.
Local Transports
City Bus, Taxi and Call Taxi Auto available

By 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.

Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 km). Major broadgauge 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.
At a height of 2,600m stands Udhagamandalam (Ooty) the Queen of Hill Stations. The 'Nilgiri toy train' connects Ooty to Mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris.

The construction of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky. It was in 1854 that the first plans were drawn to build a mountain railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. But it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that the first train chuggd up this track. This itself is a charming blue and cream with wooden coaches and large windows. It is hauled uphill by steam engines, designed and built by the Swiss Locomotive Works. Twelve of such locomotive engines survive even today.

The train covers the 46 km to Udhagamandalam in four - and -a half hours. There are five stations between Mettupalayam and Coonoor - Kallar, Adderely, Hill Grove, Runnymede and Kateri - and, at one time, there were five between Coonoor and Ooty too. Though Wellington, Aruvakkadu, Ketti, and Lovedale are still functional, Fern Hill, the last one, was closed down a few years ago.

Extensive rice fields surround the 7km stretch between Mettupalayam and Kallar. Soon after is an impressive 21 km section through truly rocky terrain. The track passes over 26 viaducts, and twists and bends through 13 tunnels. After a steep climb, the train enters Coonoor, the little hill station known for its tea plantations. From here, the track is uphill till you reach Fern Hill at a height of 2,218m, the highest point on the railroad. Shortly before Ooty, the line dips downhill. If you enjoy taking pictures, keep your camera ready for a few shots of the viaduct between Kallar and Adderley.

This ride is sure to turn the most hardened rail critic into an avid fan. You'll delight in the edge - if -the - seat twists and turns as the train runs across tall girder bridges, and over green hills before gently meandering through rolling tea estates. The exhaust beat of the loco never falters, maintaining a deafening staccato which can be heard for miles around. Truly a journey to remember.

A typical Nilgiri train on the rack section:
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway(NMR) is one of the oldest mountain railways in India. The NMR was declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2005. This connects Ootacamund with the town of Mettupalayam, at the foothills of the Nilgiri Mountains. It is the only rack railway in India, and uses the Abt system.

Bus Services:
Ooty, being district capital, has the most frequent bus connections from nearby large towns in the district (such as Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur). There are bus connections to most villages in the district via one of three towns. There are also frequent bus connections to the nearest mainline railheads of Mettupalayam and Coimbatore.

Ooty The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (100-km). Ooty on the narrow gauge railway is connected to Mettupalayam, which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai on the broad gauge. There are regular bus services connecting Ooty to Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Calicut, Tirupati etc.

As Ooty is in Tamil Nadu state most direct bus connections are from towns in this state:
Medium haul origins: Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Sathyamangalam, Karur and Dindigul
Long haul express routes from: Chennai, Thiruchirapalli, Madurai, Thanjavur and Kanyakumari

There are several buses from the nearest large main cities of Mysore and Kozhikode (in the two bordering states). Direct buses can be boarded for Ooty from many other parts of Karnataka and Kerala, including local connections to Palghat and Sultans Battery in Kerala, as well as Gundlupet in Karnataka. The capital cities of these two states (Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram respectively) as well as Union Teritory of Puducherry are also connected via direct bus links.

Train links
Ooty is connected to Chennai (formally Madras) by a nightly connecting train service. Mettupalayam provides the interchange between 'The Nilgiri Passenger' NMR metre gauge service and the Nilgiri Express broad gauge service. The complete journey on these two trains takes 16 hours. This journey can be shortened considerably by avoiding the NMR and taking road transport from Ooty to the broad gauge railhead at Mettupalayam (40km from Ooty by road), or travelling further to Coimbatore for more rail services. Coimbatore has several rail links to destinations across India. In addition to the 'Nilgiri Express' which also stops in Coimbatore there are more trains from Coimbatore to Chennai

Ooty is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Many of the forested areas and water bodies are off limits to most visitors in order to protect this fragile ecosystem. Some areas of the Biosphere Reserve have been earmarked for Tourism Development, and steps are being undertaken to open these areas to visitors whilst conserving the area. Generally tourists are encouraged to observe any local signage and not to enter reserved forests and protected areas. Much of Ooty has already been damaged by rampant commercialisation as a result of tourism. Some steps are being introduced to limit the impact of pollution by tourists in the biosphere reserve such as making the area a plastic-free zone. This largely applies to plastic bags.

Trains connect Udhagamandalam indirectly to the rest of the country. One can take a train up to Coimbatore and then the enchanting Nilgiri Mountain Railway, better known as the toy train. It is one of the few remaining diesel engine trains and although it spits up huge dark clouds of pollution, it is a major tourist attraction and a reminder of the Indian railways' glorious beginning. The nearest broad-gauge railway head from Udhagamandalam is in the minor Mettupalayam, which is 46 km away. Mettupalayam is connected to Udhagamandalam by a four-hour journey on the Mountain Railway.
The major broad-gauge railway junction is Coimbatore. Coimbatore is connected with all major cities.


Tourist Attractions in and around Ooty

Botanical Garden
Mini Garden
Rose Garden
Thread Gardens
Doddabetta
Lake
Pykara Falls
Cosmic Ray Laboratory
Hindustan Photo Film
Radio Telescope
Government Museum
Mudumalai Wildlife Sancturies
The Narrow Trail
Kotagiri
Elk Falls
Mukurthi Peak and Mukurthi National Park
Avalanche Dam
Masinagudi
Tribal Research Center
The Ootacamand Club
Nilgiri Library
Lalith kala Academy
Raj Bhavan
Adam's Fountain
Honey & Bee Museum
KAMARAJ SAGAR (Sandynallah Reservior)
Lamb's Rock
Kodanadu's View Point
Glenmorgan
Kalhatty Falls
Pykara Lake and Pykara falls.
Kandal Cross Shrine
Stone house
The Museum
Wenlock Downs and Sixth Mile
The Railway Station
6th and 9th mile
Needle hillview point
Parsons Valley Reservoir
Ooty Golf Links
St.Stephen's Church
Emerald Lake
Porthimund
Upper Bhavani Lake
The Fernhill Palace, Fernhill
Western Catchment
Snowden Peak
Ketti Valley view
Katery Falls
Needle Rock


Botanical Garden

This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale and is spread over 55 acres. Lush green well maintained lawns, rare tree species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree - monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental), fern house with a vast range of ferns and orchids, are some of the many highlights of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in the month of May at this garden. The Garden is maintained by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and has a very wide variety of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants etc.

The "Summer Festivals" is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Garden and is an added attraction for tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival. To the east of the garden is the Toda mund (hill). The Todas are the native tribe. At the mund is a display highlighting the different aspects of their traditional culture

If you are on a sightseeing tour to Ooty, you might want to visit the Government Botanical gardens,Botonical Garden which were laid out in 1847.The picturesque gardens that are maintained by the Horticulture department of the state, cover an area of about 22 hectares. The Gardens have well over 650 species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old. The garden is very popular with nature lovers and those who long to walk among greenery and see rare ferns and shrubs up close. If you are in Ooty in the month of May, then you can also be a part of the summer festival, which is held here annually. The festival holds flower shows and various cultural programs showcasing the talent of the locals and the renowned artists.

Spread over 55 acres, the Garden is home to several rare species of trees such as the cork tree (the only one of its kind in India), the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree, so named because monkeys cannot climb it! Also to be found are there mnants of a fossilised tree - estimated to be some 20 million years old!
The Garden is best - known for its annual Flower show which is usually held in May.
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-acres and lie on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak, which is the highest point in Ooty

This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale, then the Governor of Madras and is spread over 22 hectares ascending the slopes on the hill at an elevation of 2,400 - 2,500 mts. above MSL. Lush green well maintained lawns, rare trees species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree-monkey cannot climb this tree.), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian - style garden bordering, a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants , fern house with a vast range ferns and orchids are some of the highlights of this garden.A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held very year in the month of May at this garden.
The garden is divided into six different sections:

1 Lower Garden
2.New Garden
3.Italian Garden
4 Conservatory
5 Fountain Terrace
6 Nurseries

The Botanical Garden is maintained by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. A wide variety of exotic and ornamental plants adorn this garden. There is also a beautiful Italian floral garden and for those who simply want to relax, there's always the green carpet of the well-maintained lawns. The "Summer Festivals" is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Garden and 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.

If you are on a sightseeing tour to Ooty, you might want to visit the Government Botanical gardens, which were laid out in 1847.The picturesque gardens that are maintained by the Horticulture department of the state, cover an area of about 22 hectares and lie on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak, which is the highest point in Ooty. The Gardens have well over 650 species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old. The garden is very popular with nature lovers and those who long to walk among greenery and see rare ferns and shrubs up close. If you are in Ooty in the month of May, then you can also be a part of the summer festival, which is held here annually. The festival holds flower shows and various cultural programs showcasing the talent of the locals and the renowned artists.

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.

The 22 Acre Botanical Garden was laid out in 1847 and is presently maintained by the government of Tamil Nadu. The original purpose of the "Botanical Gardens" was purely academic: to promote and study the various flora in and around Nilgiris. Now, it is open to the public as a park that can be enjoyed by visitors. The Botanical Garden is also a heaven for bird watchers where a variety of birds, both seasonal and year-round residents, can be sighted. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in the month of May at this garden. The garden also has a 20 million year old fossilized tree.

Ooty botanical garden is one of the places of interest in Ooty. This garden was formed by Mr.Mc.Ivor, it is a collection of varied flora. The annual flower show that is conducted here attracts the tourist from all over the world.

Set up in 1848, this has what botanical gardens are expected to. But its star is quite unlike anything you?ll come across in any garden: a fossilised tree, supposedly 20 million years old. Though the Italian garden inside is really beautiful, the garden is not just a pretty place. Some serious research happens here. In fact, the annual flower show draws people and horticulturalists from across the country. The one note of dissonance is that part of the garden where some Toda people display their culture to gawking tourists. Highly commercialised, this is like a human zoo, far removed from the reality of Toda life.

This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale and is spread over 55 acres. Lush green well maintained lawns, rare tree species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree - monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental), fern house with a vast range of ferns and orchids, are some of the many highlights of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in the month of May at this garden.

The Garden is maintained by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and has a very wide variety of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants etc.

The "Summer Festivals" is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Garden and is an added attraction for tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival

To the east of the garden is the Toda mund (hill). The Todas are the native tribe. At the mund is a display highlighting the different aspects of their traditional culture

The Botanical Garden in Ootacamund has many different species of plants including roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees, and a fossilized tree trunk that is 20 million years old. The Summer Festival is held annually during the month of May in the Botanical Garden and is a popular holiday attraction as is boating on the lake..

The English styled terraced gardens were founded in 1847, by Marquis of Tweed- Dale. The garden sprawls across an area of about 22 hectares and has the most colourful collection of flora in Southern India. There are about 1000 varieties of plants, surubs and trees. Prestigious agro horticultural show, spring flower show and dog show are held here annually during April- May


Mini Garden

Tourists can visit this mini garden which is on the way to Boathouse. There is also a Children's amusement park. A snack bar is also available. Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited maintains it.

There is also a Mini Garden over here along with a children amusement park. Definitely, a worth visiting site.

Mini garden is also situated on the way to the boathouse where the children amusement park is housed

At about one kilometer distance Tourist can visit this mini garden (Children's f Garden) which is on the way to Boat House. Children's amusement park is housed here. A snack bar is also available. It is maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited .

A mini-garden and a toy train ride are other attractions nearby.

The children's amusement park or mini garden, also called the Children's Lake Garden is a popular attraction for little holidaylers.


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.

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. A spectra of regionally exclusive and ornamental plants adorn this garden which is the venue for the Flower Show held in May every year. There is a fossil tree trunk 20 million years old in the midst of the garden.

Situated in the heart of Ooty town, this garden has been beautifully laid out in terraces with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers with rose creepers. To commemorate the centenary Flower Show, the Rose Park was established at Vijayanagaram in Udhagamandalam covering an area of 4 hectares in five terraces. Today this garden has the largest collections of roses in the country like Hybrid Tea Roses, miniature rose, Floribunda, Ramblers, roses of unusual colours like black and green are some of the more than 3,000 varieties of roses that will captivate your senses. The Rose Garden is situated in slopes of the Elk Hill. The rose varieties planted in this park were assembled from different sources. The 'Nila Maadam' is located in a spot from where viewers can see the entire rose garden. This garden is maintained by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department. It has also received the award of Excellence for the best rose garden in entire south Asia from the International Rose society in 2006.

The Rose Garden was set up in 1995 to commemorate the 100th Flower Show of the Botanical Garden. It has the largest collection of roses in the country- over 2,500 varieties!

The Rose Garden is situated about 3 to 4-km away from Charring Cross

It is located just 3/4 km away from Charring Cross. It lies with 10 acres of land with 1919 variety of roses..

It is the first rose garden in the country which is recognized as the ‘Garden of Excellence’. It is the largest rose garden in India with a variety of nearly 17000 rose plants. The 6 acres of land is located on the lower slopes of Elk Hills at Vijayanagaram Farms. It is been recognized by the world federation of rose societies

Spread over ten acres of lawns and gardens this botanical treasure has almost 2000 varieties of roses.

The largest Rose Garen of Inida is perched on the lower slopes of Elk hill at Vijayanagaram Farms. It has also become the first rose garden in the country to be recongnised as a ‘Garden of Excellnce’, by World Federation of Rose Societies.


Thread Gardens:

It is one of the main attractions in Ooty, where colourful flowers are made out of threads. The flowers and plants here are entirely woven by hand without the help of any machine. It is unbelievable that even needle is not been used in the making of these flowers and plants.

his unique garden full of colourful flowers made from threads is perhaps one of the most amazing sites onecould come across.



Doddabetta

The beautiful hill station of Ooty, draws quite a good number of tourists from all over the world. The natural beauty of this region is outstanding and memorable. Apart from the natural splendors, Ooty has many more attractions that are worth a visit. Some of the important ones are the Botanical Gardens sprawled over an area of 50-acre. It was established by Marquis of Tweeddale in the year 1848. These gardens lie on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak, the highest point in Ooty. Another exotic garden found here is the Rose Gardens, 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.

Another famous attraction here is the Ooty Lake, a charming artificial lake. Constructed in 1824 by Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. A noteworthy attraction of Ooty is the St Stephens Church situated in the hilly area on Club Road. It is said to be the oldest church in the Nilgiris. This church was built in the year 1829 and consecrated in 1830. The cemetery close by houses the grave of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty. Another outstanding attraction here is the Doddabetta peak. It is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris and is situated about 10-km from Ooty, offering a beautiful view of the Nilgiri hill ranges.

At 2,623 mts above MSL, Doddabetta is the highest Peak in the Tamil Nadu and is about 10 km from Ooty bus stand. The name Doddabetta literally means 'Big mountain' in the Badugu Language, which is so in reality. It is at the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of Nilgiri Hills range. It is surrounded by dense Sholas. One can have a magnificent panoramic view of landscape and the whole of the District and even beyond through the Telescope House run by T.T.D.C., which is an added attraction . The Sunset is spectacular from this view point.

Doddabetta is widely famous and the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris. Ideally located at aOoty Lake distance of 10-km from Ooty, this beautiful place is situated between the junction of the Western and Eastern Ghats. You can get envision the beautiful view of Nilgiri hill ranges from this peak, which is surrounded by dense Sholas.

it is the highest peak ( 2623 mts ) in the Nilgiri's and is 10 km from Ooty. It lies at the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vista of the Nilgiri Hills ranges. There is a telescope house run by TTDC.

The Dodabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It is the highest point in the district, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty. It is merely 10km from Ooty so you can simply grab your camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of he valley below. Many say that on a clear day, which is honestly not that often, one can see far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore.

The highest point in the Nilgiri Hills, offering spectacular views over the town and district. There is road access to the summit. There is a reserved forest area around the peak.

This is the highest point in the area. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Coimbatore plains and the Mysore plateau.

This is the highest peak in the Nilgris. It is 2,623 mtrs above sea - level and is located about 10 km from Udhagamandalam. It lies near the junction of the western and Eastern Ghats.

This highest peak (2638 m) of the Nilgiris and Tamil Nadu is accessible by road. Panoramic views of the Nilgiri hill ranges can be enjoyed from here.


Lake

From just behind the Main Bus Stand (also near the Railway station) the famous Ooty Lake stretches, in an irregular 'L' shape, for about two kilometres in length and varrying distances in width. At the far end is the Boat House where all kinds of boats are available for hire from eight in the morning to six in the evening. During summer seasons, in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organised on two days at the lake which draw huge crowds.

In recent years the lake and the boat house have become the hub of entertainment for the visitors. At the boat house end there is children's park with a toytrain. In the adjacent site there is a deer park. A mini-garden is at the bus stand end and a well laid footpath circles the entire lake. Just outside the Boat house local ponies are available for jolly rides at a charge.

For the curious, this lake was artificially formed by Johm Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1823-25 by damming the mountain streams flowing down Ooty valley. The lake which breached thrice, completely emptying itself, originally extended upto the present day market and ferries were used to get across one side to the other. The lake gradually shrunks in size giving place to the present racecourse, the bus stand, mini garden and some part from the mini garden end.

If you love the outdoors, Ooty lake is a must see for you. It was built in 1825 and is about 2.5 km long. Visitors to this lake can go for boating on the lake or enjoy their favorite outdoor activity of fishing. If the latter really appeals to you then remember to get fishing permission before you head to buy baits!

The beautiful Ooty Lake is a favourite haunt of tourists. It was constructed in the year 1825, through the initiatives of Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. This lake was built in order to provide an irrigation tank to the people.

The Ooty Lake is the pride of the Blue Hills. It is the central and strategic attraction. Mr. John Sullivan formed this artificial lake in the year 1824, the then Collector of Coimbatore. The Ooty lake which extends to an area of 65 acres. Earlier the entire lake was used for fishing. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation on behalf of the Tourism Department took the possession of the lake for pleasure boating facilities in the year 1973. Another added attraction of the Ooty lake is the Mini Train and an amusement park.

The artificial Lake, yet another of Sullivan's contributions, has facilities for boating and permission to fish can be obtained from the office of the Assistant Director of Fisheries.

This is an artificial lake built by John Sullivan. It used to be much larger than its present size, and encompassed the present bus stand and race course as well as much of the present market.

This beautiful lake is set amidst the blue hills built by John Sullivan. The lake offers the fine boating facilities with row boats, motor boats and paddle boats on hire. The lake garden and the toy train add to the beauty of this beautiful lake.

Central to Ooty?s existence, the lake (with a couple on a boat) occupies the foreground of any picture postcard from here. It is much sullied today, and could do with the TLC honeymooners display on its waters. If you have a permit, you could even do a spot of fishing.

This artificial lake was constructed by John Sullivan, the first collector of Ooty. Originally intended to be an irrigation tank it was dredged out during the years, 1823-1825.

Row, row your boat
John Sullivan, the first District Collector of Udhagamandalam created an artificial lake in 1824. The action begins around 8 am and ends at 6 pm everyday. People line up at the jetty after buying their tickets and wait excitedly to hop into one of the numerous boats - paddle, oar or motorised. You can even hire a boatman who’ll take you around.

It is a very popular tourist spot in Ooty. You can go boating between 8 AM and 6 PM on all days in this lake. A wide range of boats are available at the Boat House to suit varied tastes and budgets. A Mini Garden with an amusement park for children and a toy train are added attractions here.

The Lake with its green lakeside garden and toy train running along one bank is a popular holiday attraction, for all visitors to Ooty

The picturesque lake set amidst the blue hills was built between 1823 and 1825, by John Sullivan. It has fine boating facilities with row boats, paddle boats and motor boats available on hire. The lake garden and toy train rides are other attractions.



Pykara Falls

19 km from Ooty. The river has a dam and power plant. There is a breathtaking scenery. The falls, about 6 km from the bridge on the main road, are best in July, but they are also worth visiting from August to December. There is a forest rest House at Pykara. A boat house by the Pykara falls and Dam is added attractions to the tourists.Pykara boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boat house with Restaurant is available. It is maintained by T.T.D.C.

Situated about 21km on the Ooty-Mysore Road, Pykara boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boat house with Restaurant is available. It is maintained by T.T.D.C.

It is situated about 21 km from Ooty, on the Ooty-Mysore Road. The tourist attraction 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.There is a forest Rest House at Pykara. a boat House with Restaurant is available.


Cosmic Ray Laboratory

Cosmic rays are charged particles coming from outisde the earth's atmosphere and its energy varies from around 10^6 degree e V to around 1021e V. Cosmic Rays were discovered by victor by gictor hess, an Austrian Scientist in 1912 and he was awarded the noble prize in physics for this discovery, twenty four years later. Cosmic rays from a very important constituent not only of our own galaxy but of the entire universe. Cosmic rays are charged particles coming from outisde the earth's atmosphere and its energy varies from around 10^6 degree e V to around 10^21 e V. Cosmic Rays were discovered by victor by gictor hess, an Austrian Scientist in 1912 and he was awarded the noble prize in physics for this discovery, twenty four years later. Cosmic rays from a very important constituent not only of our own galaxy but of the entire universe.

They play vital role in the dynamics and evolution of the galaxy. So it is important to study different aspects (like source,energy,composition at different energy range etc) of cosmic rays. Low eneryg cosmic rays are studied by sending a detector in space in balloon rockets or satellities since they get absorbed in their earth's atmosphere. High energy cosmic ray interact with the oxygen and nitrogen nuclei in the atmosphere and produce a large number of secondary particles. When the energy of the cosmic rays incident on the top of the atmosphere is more than 10^13 e V, the secondary particles reach the earth's surface as a shower of particles and is known as Extensive Air Shower (EAS). Detecting these secondary particles does studies of high energy cosmic rays are done by detecting these secondary practicles. In the early fifties, not much was known about the EAS. So mountains altitudes were most suitable for experiments in cosmic rays, because of their larger intensity at higher levels. Operation time will be small at balloon altitudes and the intensity will be low at sea level.

Keeping this experiment going, a new large air shower experiments is set up at the campus of the Radio Astronomy Center in muthorai village of the Nilgiris. 3840 proporational counters (area of crosssection 10 10 cms and length 6m each are already installed, under large concrete shielding, for the detection of mu mesons. 257 plastic scintillators of area one square meter each are operational. This will be expanded to 721 detectors shortly. Data collection startedin 1998, and is still going on along with the work for expansion.

Let us summarise the out come of the work done here. Eight members have got their Ph.D degree and two others have done their M.Sc by thesis.Ninety papers are published in International Journals, and Ooty is well known, all over the world, among the scientific community.


Hindustan Photo Film

The HPF, one of the major industrial units ot the district, is a public sector enterprise. This unit 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. The HPF was inaugurated by Mrs. Indra Gandhi, Prime Minister, in January, 1967.

This industrial unit is currently producing Indu roll films which are used for taking photographs; Indu X-ray films, the quality of which is acknowledged to be among the best in the world; Indu bromide paper on which photographs are printed; and Induaerographic for geological and defence mapping, industrial X - ray film, laser recording film, CAT film, special film for space photography, oscilloscope direct print paper, photo typesetting paper and range of chemicals for the film processing.


Radio Telescope

Radio Astronomy Centre:
Radio Astronomy CentreThe Radio Astronomy centre (RAC) is part of the National centre of Radio Astrophysics (NCAR) of the well known Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) which is funded by the Government of India through the Department of atomic energy . The RAC is situated near Udhagamandalam in the beautiful surroundings of the Nilgiri Hills Nd it provides stimulating Environment for the front-line research in radio astronomy and astrophysics with its excellent and highly qualified staff and international reputations.

What is Radio Astronomy
Radio astronomy is the study of the universe through radio waves reaching us from its many constituents such as the sun, planets, stars, galaxies, etc. This new branch of science was born 1932 when Karl Jansky discovered radio noise coming from our Milky Way Galaxy. Like light waves, radiowaves are also electromagnetic in nature, but have much longer wave lengths. Different celestial objects radiate in different, regions of the electromagnetic spectrum-such as X-ray,optical light, ultra-violet, infra-red rays and radio waves. Their emission mechanism depends upon the Radio Astronomy Centre.

The Radio Astronomy centre (RAC) is part of the National Centre of Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) of the well known Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) which is funded by the Government of India through the department of atomic Energy. The RAC is situated near Udhagamandalam in the beautiful surroundings of the Nilgiri Hills and it provides stimulating environment for the front-line research in radio astronomy and astrophysics with its excellent and high qualified staff and international reputations.

Ooty Radio TelescopeThe Ooty radio telescope (ORT), as it is known is cylindrical parabolic reflecting surface, 530m long and 30m wide,placed on a hill whose slope of about 11degree in the north-south direction is the same as the latitude of the RAC. This make if possible to track celestial object for about 10 hours from their rising in east to their setting in the west by simply rotating the antenna mechanically along its long axis. The antenna beam can be steered in the north-south direction by electronic phasing of the reflector. The reflecting surface is made up of 1100 thin stainless steel wires, each 530 m long 0.38 mm in diameter. It is supported by 24 parabolic frames separated by 23m from each other.

The telescope operates in a band of maximum bandwidth of 15MHz centered on a radio frequency of 327 MHz (a wavelength of 0.92 m) the large size of the telescope make it highly sensitive. As an example, it is in principle capable of detecting signals from a mere 1 watt radio station located ten million kilo meter away in space.

The Ooty radio telescope has been designed and fabricated fully indigenously. The ORT was completed in 1970 and continues to be one of the most sensitive radio telescopes in the world. Observations made using this telescope have led to important discoveries and to explain various phenomena occurring in our Solar system and in other celestial bodies.
Over the 30 years, for example, the ORT has produced many important astronomical results on radio galaxies, quasars, supernovae, pulsars, the interstellar and interplanetary media act. One of the most successful observational programs carried out for many years at Ooty was to determine the angular structure of hundreds of distance radio galaxies and quasars by the technique of lunar occultation . The application of this unique database to observational cosmology provided independent evidence against the Steady-State theory of Universe and supported the Big-Bang model of the universe. The telescope is currently being used mainly for the study the interplanetary scintillation observations provides valuable information about the solar, wind and solar-wind magnetic storms that affect the near - earth environment. Interplanetary scintillation observations also provide a valuable database to understand the space Weather changes and its predictability. the spaces and its predictability.

Upgradation of ORT
An array of 1056 half -wave dipoles in front of a 90 degrees corner reflection forms the primary feed of the telescope. The front-end receiver system of the ORT was upgraded with a low noise amplifier (Tamp = 50 K) and a strip line diode-switch controlled phase shifter following each of the1056 dipoles. This up-gradation improves the sensitivity of the ORT substantially. Additionally the declination-setting and monitoring system was computerized leading to the enhanced stability. A new local oscillator phase shifter with increased accuracy has improved the response of ORT over the entire 15 MHz band with and also increased the declination range visible to the ORT. The present system supports electronic steering to declinations between 60 and + 60 degrees. The telescope can be operated in either total power or correlation mode. In each mode, 12 beams are formed and beam 1 is the southern most beam and beam 12 is the northern most. These 12-beam system are useful in sky-survey type of observations.

Radio telescope has been installed at Muthorai which could be reached via. Fernhill on the Udhagamandalam - Avalanche road. This being the largest telescope in Asia was constructed between 1966 and 1968. It was generated with indigenous capabilities in antenna design and fabrication as an offshoot. The Radio Astronomy Centre (TIFR) is using the telescope for astronomical investigations.


Government Museum

The Government Museum At Ooty 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. Tourist Information Admission: Free Timings: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Closed On: Fridays, Second Saturdays and National Holidays

The Government Museum, Mysore Road, Udhagamandalam has items of tribal objects, districts ecological deatails and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu.

A small museum, it has tribal bric-a-brac, and the arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu

The Government Museum At Ooty 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. Tourist Information Admission: Free Timings: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Closed On: Fridays, Second Saturdays and National Holidays Ooty The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (100-km). Ooty on the narrow gauge railway is connected to Mettupalayam, which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai on the broad gauge. There are regular bus services connecting Ooty to Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Calicut, Tirupati etc.

The Government Museum, on Mysore Road, has an interesting collection of tribal artifacts, flora and fauna of the Nilgiris and handicrafts of Tamil Nadu.

The Government Museum is located on the Mysore Road. Items on display here include tribal objects, ecological details of the district and a miscellany of the sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu.

It exhibits various tribal objects, representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu and the ecological details of the Nilgiri district.



Mudumalai Wildlife Sancturies

The most prominent of the wildlife sanctuaries in the state, as well as one of the most important in the southern region, thickly forested Mudumalai borders the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and the Wyanad Sanctuary in Kerala. Apart from the wide range of animal and bird life, the rich fauna of this sanctuary has made Mudumalai very popular with wildlife enthusiasts.

The Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 67km from Ooty. If you are in town for a couple of days, then a visit to the Wildlife sanctuary would be a great way to spend a day. The Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of very rich flora and fauna, and is home to many endangered species. Though tigers and Leopards are only seen by the fortunate few, elephants, giant squirrels, sambhar, chital, barking deer and flying squirrels are a common sight. The Sanctuary is also a great place to see many kinds of birds, including colorful parakeets, black woodpecker, Malabar trogon and crested hawk eagle. If you have children with you or you yourself are simply fond of the majestic elephants then, you might like to visit the elephant camp within the sanctuary, Theppakkadu.

The Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the sanctuary, following the course of the Mayyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur

Situated at a lower altitude and easily accessible to visitors. It borders the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka

Part of the huge Nilgiri biosphere reserve, this park has a large variety of big and small game. It is also one of the most popular parks among wildlife enthusiasts.

How To Get There
Bus: Lots of buses from Ooty and Mysore. It takes between an hour-and-a-half to three hours, depending on what route they take.Jeep: You could do the same thing in a jeep, at your own pace and time.

Located at a height of 1140 meters, at the junction point of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it extends over and area of 321 sq.km. A variety of flora consisting of tropical ever green forest, moist teak forest, secondary grasslands and swamps are found. Panther, Sambar, spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild boar, Porcupine and many others make up the fauna of the forest along with the avian fauna that includes Minivets, Hornbills, Fairy Blue Birds and Jungle Fowls.

Mudumalai has the distinction of being the first sanctuary to be set up in India. It is a part of eh Jawaharlal Nehru National Park and is located 36 km from Udhagamandalam via Kalhatty and 67 km via Gudalur. It is spread over a vast area of 321 sq. km and at an elevation of 1,140 metres.
Elephants, tigers, panthers, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, minivets, horbills and jungle fowl co - exist within Mudumalai’s embrace. Wild - life enthusiasts can ride into the jungle on elephant back or in a vehicle along the designated visitor’s route inside the jungle.

It is one of the most prominent wildlife sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu and the South. The thickly forested sanctuary covers an area of 321 sq. kms. bordering the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and the Wyanad Sanctuary in Kerala. It is home to rich and varied species of animal life. The key fauna includes, elephant, bison, sambar, barking deer, tiger, leopard and a large number of smaller mammals like civet, cat, mouse deer, giant flying squirrel and many species of birds and snakes.
An ‘Elephant Camp’5 kms. from the sanctuary is interesting. Elephants are bred here in captivity and trained for use in timber work.
The park can be visited through out the year, except for 3 months- June and August. Regular buses are available for the park from Ooty and Mysore (94 kms.).


The Narrow Trail:

A journey in the mountain train of Ooty is heavenly. Starting at Mettupalayam, 46 km southeast of Ooty, Blue Mountain Express gets pushed by an engine instead of being pulled! This small town is full of crowd and it is practically impossible to ascend the train from Coonoor, a stop enroute to Mettupalayam. However, the overpowering Nilgiri landscape enchants you so that you forget the discomfort of the crowds and get lost into the blissful greenery.

This is a journey nobody should miss. A journey where you jostle with unimaginable crowds and squeeze into tiny coaches, a journey where you feel you can actually reach out and touch the elusive Nilgiris. It starts at Mettupalayam, 46 km southeast of Ooty, where you board the Blue Mountain Express that gets pushed by an engine instead of being pulled!

When you hear frequent references to the Ooty mountain train, you would somehow conjure up Lilliputian images of people sitting in orderly, storybook fashion. That’s sure mistake, for this small train of the Nilgiris couldn’t be more full, with human forms oozing from every pore! And if you still harbor rosy images, try clambering on from Coonoor where it stops en route to Mettupalayam. This is a precious travel tip, mind you.

But once you’re on, it’s heaven. The overpowering Nilgiri landscape has the ability to make you oblivious of the human ocean around you and the greenery is bliss. It’s a memorable 4–5-hour journey, so don’t miss it for anything


Kotagiri

It is 31 km 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.
Coonoor

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.

East of Ooty, is a little village of kotagiri, which is about 28km from the popular hill station. Kotagiri is the oldest one of the three hill stations in the Nilgiris. It is not as popular as the other two, Ooty and Coonoor, yet it is said that it probably has the most pleasant weather among the three of them. It is a beautiful hill resort that has wonderful tea estates and is definitely worth a visit.

Kotagiri is the oldest and the third largest hill stations in the Nilgiris. Looming over and above all the surrounding hills in the North-eastern escaKotagiri Hill Station,travel Kotagirirpments, its climate is claimed to be one of the best in the World.

Kotagiri literally means the lines of the house of the Kotas. Kotagiri is quietly tucked away in the Nilgiris and used to be the summer resort of the British. Till date the beauty of hill resort of Kotagiri attracts tourists and the sun scorched souls from far and wide. Unlike Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri is situated in an 'open-terrace' massif. At an elevation of 1985 m. the town has developed around numerous knolls and valleys. The Kotagiri weather is more bracing than that of Coonoor and balmier than that of Ooty.

This charming little village is perhaps the oldest among the Nilgiris hill resorts, as the British started building activities here in 1819. Kotagiri is shielded by the Doddabetta ranges which receives much of its rain from north west monsoon. It is surrounded by verdant plantations and few Kota settlements.

Kotagiri Location:
The hill resort of Kotagiri is located in the famous Nilgiri Hills. Kotagiri is just 16 km away from Ooty.

KOTAGIRI Weather:
Kotagiri experiences pleasant and comfortable weather all through the year. Thus you may plan your trip to Kotagiri any time of the year

KOTAGIRI Travel Information:
By Air: The airport at Coimbatore is the nearest to Kotagiri at a distance of over hundred km.
Road & Rail: Kotagiri is well linked with the other important places in Tamil Nadu through road transport. There are regular buses to Ooty, Mettupalayam and Coonoor

KOTAGIRI Accommodation:
Accommodation is easily available in Kotagiri. There are several tourist lodges, guesthouses, hotels,


Elk Falls

It is 7 km from Kotagiri and situate above Uyilathi village. The road passes through serenely laid out Badaga habitations.

'Enroute' at the Kannerimukku village is found the first European house in the Nilgiris built by collector Sullivan in the year 1819. The two-storeyed house is now in a sad-state or ruins.

Though the water is fully only in the wet months, the site is always worth a visit. It commands towards the north, a spectacular view of the Echoing Valley of Kookal and a vista of exquisite surroundings



Mukurthi Peak and Mukurthi National Park

Mukurthi Peak is about 40 km from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiris. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar(Hamitragus hilocrius). The silent valley is located on the western side of these ranges. Fascinating feature of the Mukurthi Sanctuary is its variety and similarities to Himalayan Flora and Fauna.

About 36 km from Ooty is Mukurthi. Here you can take a look at the imposing Mukurthi peak. According to the Todas, the indigenous people of this locale, the souls of the dead move on to the next world from this very sacred place. It is an interesting place for the skeptics as the flora and fauna of this pace bears a striking resemblance to that found in Himalayan region. You can also visit the Mukurthi lake which is close to the peak and is worth a closer look.

Mukkurthi Peak is about 40 km from Ooty. The Mukkurthi National Park is located on the Southern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius). The Kollaribetta and Nilgiris Peak are other major peaks around. The area is chained by innumberable beautiful and perennial little streams,which fall into Bhavani Puzha. The Silent Vally in the Western Ghat is located on the Western side of these ranges. A fascinating feature of the Mukkurthi Sanctuary is its endemism and relationship with Himalayan Flora and fauna.

A large protected area generally not accessible to visitors. It also contains a lake and peak of the same name.

Situated 40 km from Ooty, this high peak and the National Park are known for being home to the rare Nilgiri
Tahr. A holiday in Ooty is truly an unforgettable Incredible India holiday experience.

For lovers of wild life, Mukurthi National Park is a must - see destination. It is located about 40 km from Udhagamandalam. The Nilgri Tahr, the Black Buck, the rare Nilgri Marten (dog-like arboric animal), the Nilgri Laughing Thrush, the Great Indian Pied Hornbill and the Nilgri Pippet are just some of eh exotic animals and birds which can be found here.

The Park was established in 1982, on the south- eastern corner of Nilgiris plateau and is dotted with several magnificent peaks. Its most famous inhabitant is the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Other animal species commonly sighted here are- giant squirrel, sambar and barking deer, gaur, wild boar and wild dog etc. One may also encounter wild elephants, tigers and leopards in the park. The avifauna of the park includes, kestrel, peacock, black eagle and jungle fowl. The fascinating feature of the park is its endemism and relationship with the Himalayan flora and fauna. The headquarters of the park is at Avalanche and the best time to visit from February to June.


Avalanche Dam

Also called Canada dam, since Canada funded it. This awesome location is a great place to chill for a day, hiking or fishing or visiting the nearby trout farm. In the farm, the slopes by the stream are corridors used by elephant when they migrate.

Located at a distance of 28km from Ooty. 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.

Travel 28 km from Ooty town past the Emerald Lake surrounded by undisturbed forest and you have reached Avalanche. It is on the way to Upper-Bhavani from Ooty via Emerald Camp. The gorgeous scenery at every turn is an experience of wonder and delight. The views from the top of the hill at Avalanche give a magnificent sight of the Avalanche Valley and reservoir In many places here, the shoals are so thick that even sunlight cannot penetrate. Avalanche is home to a wide variety of birds in great abundance. Spotting and identifying them can be a very rewarding experience for bird lovers. It is also popular with angling enthusiasts for trouts. The shoals here are a heaven for rare temperate Orchids.

Avalanche lies 28 km from Ooty. Unlike it's name, which conjures up images of destruction and devastation, the place is a nature lover's paradise. It is a lake, which is ideal for fishing, though one has to obtain permission before hand. It is also the perfect place to enjoy bird watching and a quiet afternoon.

Adjacent to the Emerald lake. This is mainly in a reserved forest and is largely off-limits to visitors

Located about 28 km from Udhagamandalam town and past the Emerald Lake, the shoals here are so thick, that even the sunlight cannot penetrate many areas. Plentiful trout are to be found in the numerous mountain streams which dot the place.

The area around the Avananche or Canada Dam is endowed with great natural beauty. The lovely lake surrounded by thick Shola vegetation is ideal for hiking and fishing activites. Prior permission from the wildlife for forest departments is required.


Masinagudi

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.

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.

More peaceful and a lot greener and immensely charming, the first impression you get in Coonoor is that the air smells funny. But then, to our smog-loaded olfactory senses, fresh air always smells funny. The second assault on your senses will be the amount of green all around. There are more greens here than on a Pantone shade card.


Tribal Research Center

Tribal Research Center:
The tribal research center (T R C) was constituted on second October 1983 at Udhagamandalam and is functioning on its own 25 acres of hill terrain at M Paladin, 10 km away from Ooty bus stand. His Excellency, the then President of India, Thiru Gyani Zail Singh had very kindly laid the foundation stone for the Tribal Research Centre, listed at present with Ministry of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. This center is funded by both State and central Governments on 50:50 basic and it is the youngest of the 14 Tribal Research institutes in the country. The relevance of Tribal Research Centre is very much identified as 'Tribal Essential Institute' for the welfare of the 36 Scheduled Tribes of Tamilnadu

Major objectives of the Tribal Research centre are:
To conduct studies on tribal Communities
To import training and proper orientation on tribal cultures and development.
To record Social, Economic, Religious, political and Psychological changes among the Scheduled Tribes.
To recommend weaker communit
Thus the Tribal Research Centre is acting as an integral part of the planned Development of the Tribals. It is concentrating more on Nilgiris district because all the six Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) identified by the Government of India like Todas, kotas, Irulas, Kurumbas, Paniyans and Kattunayakans are exclusive inhabiting since ages in Nilgiri hills.

Facilities Available at Tribal Research Centre:
Library with books and journals on tribal studies
Well furnished Guest house
Tribal Map on the land
Audio-video system to entertain tribal festivals and tradition of dance and song
Indoor and open Air Tribal Museum.
Special Cultural heritage Attraction
The Tribal Museum is function in the campus of Tribal Reserch Centre since 1989 depiciting various tribal cultures of Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Recently carved fier-made tribal statues are attracting more number of tourists from India and abroad

The Tribal Museum is functioning in the campus of Tribal Research Centre which is located at Muthorai Palada, 10 km away from Ooty town. Tribal Museum is placed on the hillock depicting rare artifacts and photographs of primitive tribal groups of Tamilnadu as well as Andaman and Nicobar Islands and developed on the interests of Anthropological and Archaeological primitive human culture and heritage. Tribal Museum is also having an open air tribal houses belongs to Toda, Kota, Paniya, Kurumba and Kanikaran. Popular six sculptures are exhibited inside the museum depicting the life size physical anthrop models of Todas, Kotas and Paniya.


THE OOTACAMAND CLUB

This club ranks one of the leading clubs in the state of Tamil Nadu and is hardly a KM from the Udhagamandalam railway station. It is admirably situated in the heart of the town at the base of the hill adjoining the St.Stephen's Church and is located on the Udhagamandalam - Gudalur road, near Taj Savoy Hotel. The building occupied by the present Ootacamund club was constructed as a hotel by Sir, W. William Rumbold (Bart) in 1831-32 and inaugurated in 1833. It is said that snooker was invented at this club.


Nilgiri Library

A small, but rare and quaint collection of books. The library also has a rare pictures of the past


Lalith kala Academy

Located on the main Mysore road 2 km from the town, it is known for its collection of contemporary sculpture and paintings by artists from all over India.
It is situated about 2 km, from Udhagamandalam in the main Mysore road. It has various collections of contemporary paintings and sculptures all over from India..


RAJ BHAVAN

Government House (Raj Bhavan) is situated on a ridge of the Western Slopes of Doddabetta on the outskirts of the South Eastern Quarter of Udhagamandalam.

Before Udhagamandalam became the virtual summer capital of the state, it was visited periodically, by the Governors of Madras for a few months to -make a good escape from the hot sultry weather of Madras.

Built in 1877 by the Duke of Buckingham when he was the Governor of Madras, Government House, Raj Bhavan today, is used only occasionally during the Governor of Tamil Nadu's visit to ooty. Otherwise, the sprawling cream-coloured mansion, overlooking the Botanical Gardens stands a silent reminder of the pomp and grandeur that it had seen in the days of the Raj.

A fine ballroom added by Sir Arthur Havelock in 1900 and in 1904 the entire building was electrified. The well-kept lawn and the beautiful gardens is the residence of the Governor for most of the summer months of April, May and June. Portraits of Governor and their ladies, of Queen Victoria, George V, George Marry, the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and many others decorate the walls of the house

The majestic building on the Dodabetta Ridge, near botanical Garden, was built in 1877, by the Duke of Buckingham.


Adam's Fountain

This, which is a memorial to a Governor who made himself in every way popular during a brief tenure of office terminated by his death at Ootacamund, was erected, by public subscription, some time in 1886, at a total cost of between Rs.13,000/- and Rs.14,000/-.

It was at first intended to place it in front of the market, but it was subsequently decided that the site in front of the Collector's Office was better, as being a more public place. It having been found, however, that there was not a sufficient head of water at this point to allow the fountain playing freely, it was, at the end of 1898, moved by the municipality, to its present position, which is that formerly occupied by the old melanoxylon tree that used to mark the centre of Charing Cross.


Honey & Bee Museum

‘The Honey & Bee Museum’ is a novel project at Ooty by the NGO, Keystone Foundation. It depicts information on indigenous honey bees and traditional indigenous tribal people who harvest them. It also has a children’s activity room and a small knowledge resource unit on bees, environment and people. The Bee Museum is first of its kind focusing on traditional knowledge and practices. The museum aims to be a vibrant space with live demonstration units of bees, specimens and tools both traditional and modern used in beekeeping and honey gathering


KAMARAJ SAGAR (Sandynallah Reservior)

The Kamaraj Sagar Dam is a good picnic spot and can be reached via kandal amidst very old trees and green shrubs of various terrains. It is a very good picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs. Apart from studying nature and environment, fishing provides excellent game in Kamaraj Sagar Dam.


Lamb's Rock

Lamb's Rock is another vantage point that is ideal for taking pictures and is a wonderful picnic spot. It is merely 9 km from Coonoor and is known for the splendid views it offers of the plains of Coimbatore and the tea states in the surrounding areas.



Kodanadu's View Point

Kodanadu is about 16 km from Kotagiri, and is situated on the eastern edge of the Nilgiri range. It is a great vantage point that offers a breathtaking view of the Moyar river and the tea estates. There is a watchtower here that offers a view of the Rangasamy peak.


Glenmorgan

At 25 km North west of Ooty is situated Glenmorgan which was then very famous for the Tea estate. The Glenmorgan tea estate is one of the oldest estate of the place and it was there even before the Pykara Hydro Electricity scheme was taken up for execution. The beautiful lake at the foot of this estate constitutes the fore bay for the Pykara power house which is above 3 km down the hill at Singara. The Pykara power plant is the highest plant so far installed in the whole of Asia and is situated at a height of 938.78 meters. There is a haulage way (Mechanical Rope Way) leading to the power house and it takes nearly one hour to go by the trolley from the Glenmorgan head works to the power house at Singara.
The Incline near the German point is so perpendicular that this stretch of the track, have, to a length of 300 meters, makes difficult ascent and descent. The Inclination is 41 at this point and the total length of the haulage is 3000 meters. A trip to Singara by the Haulage is certainly a thrilling experience. Rest houses are available both at Glenmorgan and Singara for the use of the Officers of the Electricity Board and also for other visitors.

Glenmorgan and Singara are of great importance to the tourist as delightful picnic spots. The view from the point above the rest house at Glenmorgan is panoramic. A picturesque view of the Pykara power house at Singara, the Moyar valley, The Mudumalai Wild life Sanctuary and the distant places of Mysore can be had from here

Glenmorgan is located about 17 km away from Udhagamandalam. The novelty of this place is its electrically - operated winch which carries the staff of the Electricity Board from the Glenmorgan viewing point to the power house at Singara. Prior permission of the Electricity Board authorities should be obtained to visit the viewing point.

The scenic site is also known for Toda tribal settlements.


KALHATTY FALLS.

Kalhatti Falls is about 13 km from Ooty on Sigur Ghat Road. This is a beautiful picnic spot where the height of the falls is about 120 feet.

Buses are available upto Kalhatti village on the 6th mile on Sigur Ghat road and one has to cover the next two miles by foot to reach the falls. Nevertheless, the falls is connected by a motorable road. It is ideal for persons fond of Hiking, Bird Watching and Trekking.

The Kalhatty falls are located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13-km from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty ghat road. Also known as the "Kalahasti Falls", the water here cascades down a height of 122m.

The beautiful Kolhatty waterfalls are about 100 feet in height and are located on the kalhatty slopes.Kalhatty Waterfalls The falls are about 13km from the city, so anyone on a tour of Ooty can easily check out the falls and the beautiful area surrounding it. Besides, obviously looking at the waterfalls, you can explore the kalhatty-Masinagudi slopes, that are home to many wild species, including panthers, sambhar, bison and wild buffaloes.

It is located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13 km from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty ghat road. The height of the water falls is about 100 ft. Kalhatty - Masinagudi slopes is rich in wildlife such as Panthers, Bisons, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Dogs, Spotted Deers, Sambars and different types of hill birds.

The beautiful Kolhatty waterfalls also known as the "Kalahasti Falls", the water here cascades down a height of 122m and are located on the kalhatty slopes. The falls are about 13km from the city, so anyone on a tour of Ooty can easily check out the falls and the beautiful area surrounding it. The Kalhatty falls are located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13-km from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty ghat road. Besides, obviously looking at the waterfalls, you can explore the kalhatty-Masinagudi slopes, that are home to many wild species, including panthers, sambhar, bison and wild buffaloes.

These water falls are located about 13 km from udhagamandalam on the Ooty - Mysore road.
Best time to visit: Mid -May to Mid - December.


Pykara Lake and Pykara falls.

The most accessible of all the nearby lakes. A boathouse and picnic area has been developed to provide access to this area. Most of the remainder of the lake is within a reserved forest and off limits to visitors.

The Pykara is the largest river in the District. It is considered very sacred by the Todas. The Pykara river rises at Mukurthi peak. It passes through hilly tract, generally keeping to North and turns to West after reaching the Plateau's edge. It gets down majestically in a series of cascades; and the last two falls of 55 meters and 61 meters are known as Pykara falls. They are about 20 km from Ooty.

The Pykara Lake is about 21 km from Ooty on the Ooty-Mysore road. Boating on the Pykara lake is enjoyable. A restaurant is also available. Wenlock Downs, a vast Expanse of grassy meadow on way to Pykara, is a favorite picnic location and is very popular with the movie makers of this country.

A beautiful and well protected sholas, Toda settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat, Pykara is widely becoming one of the major tourist attractions. Located at a distance of 21-km from Ooty, this place is embraced with Pykara Dam, Pykara Falls and the reservoir. The major attraction of this place is the boathouse, with restaurant and a rest house to provide you with ultimate comfort.

Pykara Lake is situated about 21 km from Udhagamandalam on the Ooty - Mysore road. The Pykara Dam, close to the lake is an impressive engineering feat.

Pykara Falls:
The Pykara Falls are a favourite of picnickers who throng the place on holidays and weekends. The Falls are located close to the Pykara Dam.

Kandal Cross Shrine

Kandal cross, a Roman Catholic Shrine considered, as the Jerusalem of the East is located in Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu. The Nilgiri Catholics consider it as the "Calvary of Tamil Nadu"

The Roman Catholic church is believed to enshrine a relic of the ‘True Cross’ on which Jesus Vhrist was crucified.


Stone House

This was the first "Pukka" house in Ooty, built by John Sullivan. It is situated inside the premises of the Government Arts College.

It is the first bungalow which was built by John Sullivan and the tribals named it as ‘Kal Bungalow’. The word ‘Kal’ in Tamil means ‘Stone’. Today it is the residence of the principal of the government arts college..

The first house to be built in Udhagamangalam was this, by Collector of Coimbatore Mr. John Sullivan. Locally called Kal Bangla, this is one Udhagamandalam?s landmarks, and is now the chamber of the principal of the Government Arts College.


The Museum

This museum in Ooty is under the control of the curator of Museums. The museum has a varied collection of objects related to the nilgiri district. It exhibits timber, Kurinji flower, butterflies, wood carving, rock, etc. It also has a collection of the stone sculptures, bronze works, model of Toda hut and coins.

It was established in 1989 and exhibits timer, Kurinji flower, insects, butterflies, rocks and wood carvings. Stone sculptures, bronze works, model of Toda hut and coins can also be seen here.

Wenlock Downs and Sixth Mile

A vast expanse of undulating landscape offering the Gymkana Club, the Government Sheep Farm and the Hindustan Photo Films Company besides pleasure of a long stroll on quiet roads.

A popular film shooting area situated in this hilly grassy area.

Another English name, another English hand-me-down. These sprawling 20,000 acres were once the mise-en-scene for the famous Udhagamandalam Hunt. Now, The Gymkhana Club, the Hindustan Photo Films factory, the Government Sheep Farm and the Golf Course, are all part of Wenlock Downs.

A vast expanse of undulating landscape as far as the eye can see! The Gymkhana Club, the Government Sheep Farm and the Hindustan Photo Films factory are all located here. If you enjoy walking, you’ll love to walk down these quiet, winding roads.

This stretch of about 20,000 acres of grassland with Sholas or ‘gallery forest’ on the Gudalur road is about 8 kms. from the station. It is the most popular picnic spot of Ooty. The undulating landscape is blessed with splendid scenic beauty and rich vegetation.

The Railway Station

The railhead of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The station itself is part of this World Heritage Site. Ooty Railway station offers a unique glimpse of the British raj built railways.


Ooty Golf Links

A forested and grassy area, partially home to a golf course


6th and 9th mile

after pine forest in the same road to mysore comes both 6th and 9th mile. they both are small green hill like places. a very beautiful sight to look at. especially 9th mile. its a place that everyone must see when you go to ooty.the same road leads to pykara.


Needle hill view point

usually the tourist vechiles cover pykara surely. so its not a great deal to mention here about that place. after pykara a road leads to mysore. in the way before the forest comes a small place called gudalaur. between gudalaur and pykara comes a hidden spot named needle hill view point. in midst of eculuptus forests comes this place. a walk of nearly 5min will take us to a big barren rock. its easy to climb the rock. after climbing it come to the tip of the rock. there you can see a sight that you cant see anywhere in your life. all the clouds below your feet. and villages below the clouds. this s really an exciting place to look at.


Parsons Valley Reservoir

This is the primary water source for the town and is mainly in a reserved forest and is thus largely off-limits to visitors.

This undisturbed area of grassland and forest is excellent for a day trip. But no hiking is allowed off the beaten track, as the area is home to some panthers and tigers.


St.Stephen's Church

The small gothic-style St Stephen's Church, built in 1829 and situated northwest of Charing Cross, is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiri mountains. Its huge wooden beam came from the palace of Tipu Sultan in Srirangapatnam, carried all the 120 km by a team of elephants. The attached cemetery contains the grave of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty.

Standing at a vantage point in all its Gothic glory, lording over Ooty, this was the first church in the Nilgiris

Location:
Situated northwest of Charing Cross.

Visiting Hours:
Between November and March, avoiding high-season crowds (April-June and September-October).


Emerald Lake

Near the town of the same name. There is a view point near the dam. The rest of the are is mainly in a reserved forest and is largely off-limits to visitors

Also called India dam, since Canada did not fund it. An option to Canada dam, but same difference. Stay in the middle of a tea plantation. Do nothing, go nowhere, just laze. And go fish.

How To Get There:
Bus: Plenty many buses to the village of Emerald.

Travel Tips:
Accommodation: Stay in the imperial Red Hill Nature Resort, in the middle of a tea estate. Food, service and the locale are excellent. You could do this cheaper by camping on their grounds and using their services. Closed during the rains.


Porthimund

This is mainly in a reserved forest and is largely off-limits to visitors


Upper Bhavani Lake

Most of this is within the Mukurthi National Park (and also largely off limits to visitors)

This is located 50 km from udhagamandalam. Some of the best shoals like the Thai Shola lie on the way to Upper Bhavani


The Fernhill Palace, Fernhill

This former palace situated around 1 km from the Ooty bus stand can be visited for an entry fee of Rs 50. It has been converted into a Hotel.


Western Catchment

It is located about 20 km away from Parsons Valley. Rolling grassy downs stretch far away, only to be broken now and then by temperate shoals.


Snowden Peak

Snowden Peak is located on the Kothegiri Road. You can get a picturesque view of the Mysore plateau from here.


Ketti Valley view

This view point is located 7 km from Udhagamandalam on the Ooty - Coonoor road. There is a panoramic view of about 14 villages belonging to the badagas from here. The Ketti Valley is one of the largest valleys in the world and extends from the plains of Coimbatore to the Mysore plateau.


Katery Falls

Katery Falls is one of the highest falls in the Nilgris. The water released from the Katery dam flows onwards to emerge as the Katery Falls. The fall can be approached by a diversion from Coonoor on the Kundah road, about a kilometer from the Kendala village.


Needle Rock

Needle Rock is unique because it offers a 360 - degree view of the landscape below. You can make out the contours of Gudalur town and Mudumalai wild life sanctuary below.


Longwood Shola

There is a very picturesque trekking path which winds its way through this shoal.


The charming cantonment area on Coonoor- Ooty route famous for Aruvankadu, Pasteur Institute, Silk Worm Rearing Station and Stanley Park etc.


Animals in Ooty

Nilgiri Thar,Panther, Sambar, spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild boar, Porcupine


Festivals

Makar Pongal:
The festival of Makar Pongal is held in the month of January.

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.

The Summer Festival is conducted in the month of May-June at Ooty, Kodaikkanal, Yercaud, Elagiri Hills, all of which are beautiful Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu. Cultural programmes, adventure sports, boat races, flower shows and fruits shows add to the splendour.

To beat the heat in plains summer is the time to visit hill stations of Tamil Nadu. Regular Cultural Programmes, fashion parade, Flower and Fruit shows are arranged during Summer Festival. Boat races, Boat pageantry, dog shows etc, add more festivity to the celebrations. Emerald green valley, Saluburious climate, lingering taste of tea and fruits tempt you to come here once again! again and again !

All these festivals are jointly organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu & Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

There is several beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. With the Summer Festivals, the hills are even hospitable to welcome the visitors. The summer festival is held in the 'Queen of Hill Stations',
Tea and Tourism Festival
Akin to the nectar of the Gods is the Camellia Sinensia, which is a bush that gives fragrant amber ambrosia-a refresher and stimulizer. In other words, TEA.

Tea and tourism Festival:
If you are in Ooty in the month of January, you cannot possibly miss the Tea and Tourism festival. At the festival, you can learn more about your favorite drink and possibly taste some of the best cups of tea.

Tea & Tourism Festival Ooty Festival
Organised in the last week of January at Ooty, this 3-day festival has varieties of tea on display. Also available for tasting. Cultural extravaganzas, Cuisines of the South and the pleasant climate adds more flavour to the festival

February
Thaipoosam in Elk Hill Murugan Temple
Bokkapuram Mari Amman Annual Festival

April
Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival
Coonoor Mariamman Temple Car Festival

May
Boat Races and Boat Pageantry in Ooty
Summer Festival in Ooty
Flower Show (Botanical Gardens) in ooty
Fruit show in Coonoor


Churches and Temples:

Temples - Churches - Mosque - Mutt
Temple:
Murugan Temple, Elk Hill, Venkateshwara Perumal Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple,
Subramania Swamy Temple, Vittoba Temple, Muniswarar Temple, Jain Temple,
Mooyaulaka Arasiamman Temple,Kandal.

Churches:
St. Stephen's Church, Union Church, Holy Trinity Church,Thomas Church,Sacred Heart Church, St.Mary's Church, St. Theresas Church and Kandal Shrine.

Mosque:
Big Mosque, - Lower Bazaar, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India

Mutt's:
Ramakrishna mutt, - Ramakrishna Puram,Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
Narayana Gurukumalam, - Manjanakorai, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
Abu Babajee Trust, Wood Cock Road, - Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
Diyanamyam (PBKS) Ettins Road, Ooty, - Tamilnadu, India
Ragahavendra Mutt, Bombay Castle, Ooty, - Tamilnadu, India
Dakshinamurthy Madalayam, Kandal, Ooty, - Tamilnadu, India
Sampoorna Ashram, Naduhatty, Kaddabettu Post, - Ooty, Tamilnadu, India

Todas:
The nilgiris are the home to 18 tribal groups, amoung whom the Todas are the most remarkable. A pastoal community, the Todas are fair-skinned and curly haired, and are strict vegetarians. Their language through of dravidan origin, has no script. According to their creations myth, goddess Teikirshy and her brother on first created the baffalo by waving a magic wand, and then created the Toda man. The first Toda women was created from the right rib of the man. The todas first contact with civilization occured when the east India company annexed the nilgiris in 1779. In 1823, John Sullivan, the then collector of Coimbatore, built the first stone house in ooty on land purchased from the Todas. Today, there are only about 1,100 Todas left

Buffaloes:
Pale brown with long horns, are deeply reserved. A buffalo is often sacrificed after a funeral to accompany the deceased's soul in the after life.

The Dairy Temple:
Conical in shape, is decorated with sun, moon, serpent and buffalo head motifs. only men are allowed to go inside..

Homespun cotton shawls:
The homespun cotton shawls called puthikuzhi have black and red embroidered motifs. Worn by both Toda men and women, they are tied around the waist, with one end thrown over the shoulder, almost like a Roman toda.

Elders:
Elders are treated with great respect, and greeted by lifting thier right foot and putting it on one's head for their blessings.

Dairy ceremonies:
The dairy ceremonies are festive occasion's generally celeberated with dance and music. The lively songs consist of simple stanzas, describing important enents from the Todas' past.

The barrel-shaped huts:
The barrel-shaped huts made of bamboo, grass and cane, consist of a small that one has to crawl through it to enter. several of these windowless bamboo huts make up a toda village, which is called a mund.


Shopping

Shopping in Ooty would be a nice experience for the passionate shopper. Although the region does not have any specialty handicraft of its own, there are many other things for shopping in Ooty.

On the slopes of the great Nilgiri range, the region grows some of the best qualities of coffee and tea in India. The sprawling plantations and the heady smell are feast to senses. You may choose to buy some coffee or tea while shopping in Ooty.

Handmade chocolates are also popular items for shopping in Ooty. Also pick up aromatic oils and spices while shopping in Ooty.

Besides, there is the wide variety of handicrafts of Tamil Nadu. The ace craftsmen of Tamil Nadu are skilled in making fantastic Jewelry, painting, pottery, and stone crafts. Look for such artifacts as you go on shopping in Ooty. You may also come across some tribal crafts in the shops. The local bazaars are replete with private shops and Government run emporia, where you can shop till you drop. Many hotels have shopping arcades where of course the price would be a bit on higher side.

For a judicious shopping at Ooty, look for exclusive Nilgiri products such as garden-fresh Nilgiri tea, fresh fruits, aromatic and medicinal natural oils like Eucalyptus and essences extracted from forest herbs, vegetables and spices. One may also opt for Toda embroideries and plant nurseries easily available in the town. Co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping fruits and general groceries.


Best Buys:
Exclusive Nilgiri products including Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptas, Toda embroideries, plant nurseries

Exclusive Nilgiri products including Nilgiri Tea, chocolate, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptas, Toda embroideries are also easily available in the town. Co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping exotic fruits.

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.


Agriculture

The predominant occupation of people of Kil kundah is agriculture with cattle rearing providing additional income. Tea, Coffee, Cabbage, Potato and beans are the chief crops cultivated. Since mid 80s, cattle rearing and cultivation of not-tea crop declined on account of sharply rising [Tea] prices. Most people converted vegetable fields into tea field in this period. Since 1998, when tea prices nosedived, agriculture lost its lustre and many youth of the village started moving out to nearby by towns of Ooty and Coimbatore seeking better opportunities.

The latest development in Kil Kundah is the 'Village Welfare Body'- a group of people informally coming together to form a better society. The festivals that were celebrated between two parties of the village over couple of decades is being celebrated in unison these days. The 'Welfare body' announces the importatnt happenings in the form of notice board kept in the entrance of the community hall that was built in around 2003-04. Towards the end of 2006, the body has called for hygenic living by cleanness in the surroundings.


Flora and Fauna

The place abounds in flora and fauna. The ecological pattern of this place is quite magical and has the caliber to leave the visitors spellbound.

Schools and Colleges and University

Educational Institutions:
Boarding schools have been a feature of Ooty since days of the British Raj. They are now a significant contribution to the local economy. The facilities and standards of education are considered amongst the highest of India and so these schools are popular amonst the elite of India and some of its neighbouring countries. Several of these now also operate as day schools.

Schools:
Phone Numbers +91 - 423
Archangel Primary School Rock Land LoveDale, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2444596
Bethlehem Girls Higher Secondary School St. Mary's Hill Ooty , Tamilnadu, India
2444118
The Blue Mountains School
'Dilkhush Mahal' Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2444837
Breeks All India Higher Secondary School Charing Cross, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442761
Breeks Memorial School Charing Cross, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442535
Child Jesus School St. Mary's Hill Ooty , Tamilnadu, India
2444636
CSI Gell Memorial School Dunmere Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443682
Cliff School Woodcock Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442286, 2442950
CMM School Summer House Road, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2441483
Elsie Evangelical School Mission Church Compound, Kandal, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2441613
Good Shepherd Public School Fernhill Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2444151 to 244155
Hebron School Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442298, 2442587, 2441295, 2442372
Hill Wood Preparatory School Havelock Road, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442925
HPF High School Indunagar, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
Infant Jesus School Beat, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2444342, 2444036
JSS Public School Mysore Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2444128
Kendriya Vidyalaya Indunagar, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442903
Kingsbury Montessori House Higgins Road, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2441552
Laidlaw Memorial School Junior College Ketti, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442560
Lawrence School Lovedale, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442549
Loyola School Snowden Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442410
Nazareth Convent St.Marys Hill Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443811
New Era Resedential Day School Snowden Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443619
Nilgiris School Rajmahal, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442589
Nirmala English Primary School Finger Post, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442852
Ootacamund School Horeb Dewington Road, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442874
Ooty Matriculation School Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443872
Rex Higher Secondary School Woodcock Road, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442064
Sai Nursey and Primary School Gul Mohammed Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443227
Sacredheart Technical School Charrring Cross, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442478
Shanthi Vijaya Girls Higher Secondary School Ettines Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2444330
Shanthi Vijai Primary School Ettines Road, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2441435
Sri Venkateshwara Vidyalaya Green Fields Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2441794
St. Joseph's Industrial School Finger Post, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442306
St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School St. Mary's Hill Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442632
St.Hildas School Sheddon Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442540
St.Peters School Arden VillaHavelock Road Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443284
Woodside School Woodside Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442103, 2441703

Schools:
Hebron School, Ooty
Breeks Memorial School
Laidlaw Memorial School, Ketti
The Lawrence School, Lovedale, Ooty unofficial site
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Indunagar, Ooty
Good Shepherd International School
St. Hilda's School
Nazareth Convent School
Rex Higher Secondary School
Woodside School
Kingsbury Montessori School
St Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Ooty
Blue Mountains School, Ootacamund
JSS Public School
Infant Jesus school, Kandal Cross, Ooty
Nilgiris Matriculation School
The Cliff School

Colleges:
Phone Numbers +91 - 423
CSI College of Engineering Ketti, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
257474
Emerald Heights College Finger Post, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442775
Government Arts College Stone House Hill, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443981
Government Polytechnic Finger Post, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443407
Monarch International
College of Hotel Management
www.themonarchcollege.com Off Havelock Road,
Ooty - 643 001 Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: 2444408, 2444418,
Fax: 2442455, 2443827
JSS College of Pharmacy Rocklands Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2443393, 2443647,2443847
Sacred Heart Technical Institue Charing Cross, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442478
St.Josephs Industrial School Finger Post, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2442306
Swiss MeritInn College of Hotel Management Havelock Road, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
Tribal research CentreTamil University M.Palada, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India
2455401


Adventure Sports

Nilgiri HillsTrekking:
The Nilgiris are a trekker's paradise. Landscaped by nature, the hills abound in trek for lovers of