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.
History Of This Beautiful Hill Resort
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Major
Attractions of Ooty ( Udhagamandalam )
The Nilgiris, the most popular hill resort of the south has a number of
tourist of attractions, which chiefly include the Botanical Gardens,
Doddabetta Peak, Mukkurthi Peak, the Pykara Dam and sprawling tea
plantations.
- Botanical Gardens
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-acre and lie on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak, which is the
highest point in Ooty. Marquis of Tweeddale established these gardens in
the year 1848.
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.
- Ooty Lake
About 1-km distance there is an artificial lake with a charming look,
which was formed in 1824 by Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of
Coimbatore.
- St Stephens Church
Situated in the hilly area on Club Road, St Stephens Church is said to
be the oldest in the Nilgiris. The church was built in 1829 and
consecrated in 1830. The beam of the church was taken from the palace of
Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam. The cemetery close by houses the grave of
John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty.
- Mini Garden
Mini garden is also situated on the way to the boathouse where the
children amusement park is housed. A snack bar is also available. Tamil
Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited maintains these gardens.
- Rose Garden
Rose Garden is 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.
Rose Gardens lie on the way to the boathouse.
- Government Museum
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.
- Deer Park
At a distance of 1-km from the Lake there is a Deer Park, which is
worth visiting.
- Doddabetta
Doddabetta is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris, which is
about 10-km from Ooty. It is a beautiful place lying between the
junction of the Western and Eastern Ghats and offers a beautiful view of
the Nilgiri hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense Sholas.
- Hindustan Photo Films
The Hindustan Photo Films, one of the major industrial units of the
district, 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.
Excursions
of Ooty ( Udhagamandalam )
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the
Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. The Mudumalai Wildlife sanctuary
has varied mixture of flat land, open grassland, swamp, valley and
nullas.
- Pykara
Pykara is situated about 21-km from Ooty. Some of the tourist
attractions of this place 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. A boathouse with restaurant and a rest house are available at
Pykara.
- The Mukkurthi Peak And National Park
About 40-km from Ooty, is a beautiful peak called "Mukkurthi".
The Mukkurthi National Park is located on the Southern corner of the
Nilgiri Plateau. The Kollaribetta and Nilgiris Peak are other major
peaks around. A number of little perennial streams flow between these
peaks, which fall into Bhavani Puzha. Silent Vally is located on the
Western side in the Western Ghat, which is a feast to the visitor's eye.
Best Time To Visit
The climate of Ooty is pleasant throughout the year. The best time to visit
is between February to May and September to November.
Shopping in Ooty ( Udhagamandalam )
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.
Tourist Information about Ooty ( Udhagamandalam )
Tourist Office, Government of Tamil Nadu Supermarket Complex Charring Cross
Ooty ( Udhagamandalam ) - 1
Tourist Information about Ooty ( Udhagamandalam )
- Area 36-sq-kms
- Population 8,1763 (1991 Census)
- Altitude 2,623 metres
- Clothing Light woollen in summer and heavy woollen during winter
- Languages Spoken Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and English
- STD Code 0423
- Temperature Range (deg C):
- Summer- Max 25ºC, Min 10ºC
- Winter- Max 21ºC, Min 5ºC
- Rainfall 121 cms
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.