On the road to coonoor

  • The sightseeing in Ooty and its northwest parts to wards Gudalur and Mysore is now complete. There are plenty of buses to Coonoor, the fare being Rs. 5 per person, and in competition, minivans, which charge Rs. 6

  • Coming southeast as you leave the town limits on the road to Coonoor and Mettupalayam, is the Aavin Factory and sale office (ph: 443428, 444019 and 443806). Known as the Nigiris District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, it manufactures and sells cream, butter, ghee, pedas, palkova, ice cream, casein and cheese, and supplies pasteurised milk in sachets. A visit requires no special permission

  • Fun City has now become a scheduled stop for public transport. This amusement park started in 1999 at “Burnfoor” on the Ooty- Coonoor road is just 2 km. from the Ooty town limits

  • The next point of interest is the well known Lawrence School at Lovedale, 7 km. from Ooty, built by Chinese convicts between 1869 and 1871. It was named for Sir Henry Lawrence who wanted a school for the sons of serving and retired defence personnel. The Government of India took it over in 1949, converting it into a public school. Girls were also admitted many years later. It is so difficult to get admission that children are registered at birth for classes which start from the fifth standard. The defence quota is 40 % for this co- educational school deep below in a valley of 700 acres. A few sections of the school can be seen from the road. The school and the school children have started in many movies

  • Further down the same road is the Needle Industries at Yellanahalli, 5 km. from Ooty, manufacturing all types of sewing and industrial needles, snap fasteners for jeans, surgical and hypodermic needles, knitting needles etc., buttons and threads since 1949, all sold under the brand name of Pony. They have a near monopoly in needles, others being small time manufactures scattered all over Inida. Almost their entire production is exported, their quality control ensuring rust free needles. For added protection they suggest storing the needles in cloth to prevent rusting as there is no abrasion or damage from moisture. Visitors are not generally encouraged as work is disrupted but the factory can be seen with permission from the personnal Manager (Ooty Ph: 442491)

  • The Kateri Falls with a drop of 54.86 mtrs. Is the third largest in the Nilgiris, 12 km. from Coonoor through Selas on the Ooty- Coonoor road south of Kulakombai where the Ketti Stream meets the Kateri River. In 1902 the falls were dammed to generate power for the Cordite Factory at Aravankadu. There are two reservoirs one above the other. Boating is allowed. It is easier to reach the falls from Coonoor, On the Coonor- Mettupalayam road, 3 km. from Coonoor, a right on the Kundah road through the Glendale Estate and another right at Selas village, the falls, just 1 km. ahead, can be seen. The straight road continues on to Manjoor, Kaikatti and Kundah (33 km.)

  • Just below the falls the road, not very good the whole 9 km., branches off to Yellanahalli (the Ponds’ factory). The falls are beautiful and can and should be developed by improving the approach road and providing some facilities for tourists. The water from the falls joins the Bhavani River near Mettupalayam

  • The Kateri village above the Kateri Falls is home to the Lingayat Badagas who are 100% vegetarian. Kateri is one of five such villages, Orahalli, Naduhatti (near Kotagiri) etc. where non- vegetarian food cannot be eaten or cooked. Even rearing of chickens is prohibited. The silaikallus, virakallus and musical stones from these villages have been taken by the students of the Tribal Research Centre at M. Pallada for study. The Toda mund above the Glendale Estate near the Kateri Falls is right on top of the hill with grassy downs. Game hunters shoot wild rabbits here at night with the permission of the Todas. A State Horticultural Farm at Kateri, 7 km. from Coonoor on the Coonoor- Mettupalayam road just above seeds and plants and tea saplings. It was established in 1978

  • The Valley View in Ketti is 6 km. from Ooty on the Coonoor road with a glimpse of the well known St. Gerorge’s Home, a residential school. The villages in the valley go all the way to Coimbatore and Mysore

  • Another interesting view 6 km. from Ooty is the Sleeping Beauty, a range of hills in which the face, nose, lips, long flowing hair and other contours of a sleeping woman are clearly delineated. The view is clearer coming down from Ooty than on the way up and can be seen from more than one place. The sleeping Beauty becomes the beast in Coonoor because it is the Bagasuran kottai, which you are seeing

  • Also in Ketti (approached by a road branching off opposite the Needle industries) is the Ponds’Mushroom Factory. 60 to 70% of the daily 10 tonnes production is canned and exported to the United States, where it is sold as “Georgia Mushrooms”, the rest sold locally under the brand name Kissan. Only button mushrooms are grown here. Employing 300 full time workers and 250 on contract, Ponds’ has helped uplift the economy of Ketti. The factory can be visited with permission (Ooty Ph: 442422 and 442099)