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OOTY, KARNATAKA
Situated in the very heart of the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is a famous hill station in South India. Also, referred to as the ‘Queen of The Hills’, Ooty is one of the most serene hill stations you can ever visit. This beautiful place is also known as Udagamandalam, Udhagai, or Ootacamund. Ooty India attracts a substantial number of travelers round the year.
The word ‘Nilgiris’ literally translates to the ‘Blue Mountains’, which is a reference to the bluish haze from the eucalyptus trees and to the rare ‘Kurunji’ flowers that cover these mountains once in every 12 years making it a marvelous sight to behold.
Dense jungles, huge picturesque lakes, towering mountains, lush green landscapes, and rambling tea gardens welcome the travelers on the way to Ooty. The place is a traveler's paradise and is a perfect destination for picnics. The town is linked to important places and cities in the country via railways and roadways.The Nilgiri Mountain Railway has been declared as a UNESCO world heritage site and trains are available from the various major railway stations in Tamil Nadu. The train follows a very scenic route and is a must try attraction.The nearest international airport is located in the state capital Chennai.
Tourism being the major source of the town’s economy, there is no shortage of accommodation facilities that suit all types of tourist budgets. Summer temperature is maximum of 25 C and a minimum of 10 C . During the Winter it is minimum 5 C and a maximum of 21 C when it is slightly warmer.
One of the most beautiful attractions in Ooty is the Botanical Garden,situated on a hillock. Spread over 55 acres the Botanical Garden has well maintained beautiful lawns and trees collected from different parts of the world. The garden is taken care of by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Another highlight of the Botanical Garden is the Toda hill, known as theToda mund, which gives the visitors an insight into the lives and culture of Todas (a tribe of the Nilgiris).
The Doddabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It is said to be one of the highest peak in south India & famous tourist spot in India. It is merely 10kms from Ooty so you can simply grab your camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of the valley below.
From just behind the central Bus Stand (also near the Railway station) the famous Ooty Lake stretches, in an irregular 'L' shape, for about 2.75 kms in length. 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. Surrounded by lofty eucalyptus trees and shrubs the lake is a scenic delight to ones from the concrete jungles. At the boat house end, there is children's park with a toy train. A deer park is located in the adjacent area. Just outside the Boat house local ponies are available for jolly rides at a charge.
The Toda are one of the most ancient Indian tribes found exclusively in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. The Toda are a primitive tribe whose population has hovered in the range 700 to 900 over the last century. They are an interesting lot with their own bunch of traditional quirks and customs. The Ooty Tourism Board has never actively promoted them, but you must add a visit to a Toda village to your list of places to visit in Ooty.
Other important tourist attractions in Ooty are Mudumalai National Park, Emerald Lake, Stone House,Ooty Mountain Railway, St. Stephens Church, Wax World, Tribal Museum, Deer Park and Mariamman Temple.
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