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Ooty |
Click Here for Ooty Tour Packages
Need to beat the heat? Welcome to the cool Lavender
Hues of Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, still
popularly known as Ooty. Standing high at 7,349
feet above sea level in the Nilgiris, Ooty is
the uncrowned Queen of southern hill resorts
of India. The erstwhile British township of
Ooty is a big draw for the tourists. The breathtakingly
beautiful Blue Mountains are the perfect backdrop
for the cool summers.
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.
The
Tea
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. Visit Ooty during this
festival, when tea lovers from all over the
world converge. An occasion not to be missed!

HISTORY
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.
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:: TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS ::
Botanical Garden
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.
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 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.
Hills and Views
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 kilometres
from Coimbatore
Kalhatty Falls
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.
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".
Mini Garden and
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is situated about 3 to 4-km away
from Charring Cross. Mini garden is also situated
on the way to the boathouse where the children
amusement park is housed.
Mudumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary and National Park
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.
Ooty Lake
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.
-:FESTIVALS:-
Summer Festival
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.
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OOTY-GENERAL INFORMATION
STD Code: 0423
Location: Niligiri
District, Tamil Nadu.
Founded By: British
In 1800.
Area: 36-sq-kms.
Population: 8,1763
(1991 Census) .
Altitude: 2,623
metres.
Languages: Tamil,
Malayalam, Kannada and English.
Climate
: Winter: Max 21ºC,
Min 5ºC
Summer: Max 25ºC, Min 10ºC
Rainfall: 121 cms.
Clothing:
Summer: Light Woollen.
Winter: Heavy Woollen.
Places To Stay
Accommodation is available at the luxurious
and economy class hotels, lodges, and resorts
in Ooty. Both Indian and Western style accommodation
and food are available. Prior booking is advisable,
especially during the summer months.
Tourist
Information Centres
Tourist Office, Government of Tamil Nadu
Supermarket Complex
Charring Cross
Udhagamandalam-1
Eating
Out
Blue hills
Chandan Vihar
Tandoor Mahal
Ooty Coffee House
Chinkos Chinese Restaurant
Hills Palace.
Shopping
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.
ENTERTAINMENT
Trekking
The Nilgiris are a trekker's paradise.
Landscaped by nature, the hills abound
in trek for lovers of nature. There are
treks and treks in whichever direction
you turn and from whichever point you
start. A trek can be full of thrill, excitement
and adventure and a way of seeing and
enjoying nature in all its beauty and
splendour.
Udhagamandalam
(Ooty) offers several trek routes, which
vary in distance, altitudes and terrain.
There is a base camp at Parsons valley,
from where one can start trekking to various
points within Western Ghats. The down
hills of Western Ghats on the North ends
up with meeting the extensions of Eastern
Ghats, where the sprawling Mudumalai Sanctuary
lies which opens vistas for adventure
tourists.
Trekking pamphlets are available with
the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association
(NWLEA). There are guides who have sound
knowledge of certain areas. If necessary,
their services may be hired. And for further
details contact the Tourist Information
Office at Charring Cross, Ooty.
Hang-Gliding
Hang-glidng courses are also organised
during March to May every year, with the
assistance of the Department of Tourism.
Contact the Tourist Officer, Ooty for
assistance.
Angling
Goad Trout, Carp and mixed water fishing
is possible in various streams and lakes
of Ooty. The Assistance Director of Fisheries
issues the fishing licence.
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HOW TO GET THERE
Air
Coimbatore, 105 km from Ooty, is the nearest airport.
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.
Road
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.
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