UDHAGAMANDALAM (OOTY)
Discovered By: British In 1800
Highest Peak:Doddabetta
Famous Festivals:Summer Festival And The Tea And Tourism Festival
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.
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.
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!
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Deer Park
At a distance of 1-km from the Lake there is a Deer Park, which is worth
visiting.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
WHERE 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.
ENTERTAINMENT IN OOTY
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.
FESTIVALS
Summer Festivals
A summer festival is held each year during the month of May in the
Botanical
Gardens, which is an added attraction for tourists. The Flower Show
is the pride of the festival. Cultural programmes are organised for those
interested in traditional classical arts. Adventure spots like trekking
also form part of the festival.
Tea
And Tourism Festival
The annual "Tea and Tourism Festival" celebrated in the month
of January is a draw for tourists.
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.
RESTAURANTS
Blue
hills
Chandan Vihar
Tandoor Mahal
Ooty Coffee House
Chinkos Chinese Restaurant
Hills Palace
TOURIST OFFICE
Tourist Office, Government of Tamil Nadu
Supermarket Complex
Charring Cross
Udhagamandalam-1
GENERAL INFORMATION
| 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 |
