Ooty / Udhagai / Udhagamandalam / Ootacamund
Queen of hill stations

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".

It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is believed the Blue Mountains appear so because of the vast Nilgiri forest surrounding them. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. Udhagamandalam has salubrious weather all around the year. It's no wonder then that thousands of tourists flock here, year after year.


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. 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.


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.