Ooty The Heaven on the Earth
Ooty the Beautiful Hill Station:
Ooty is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. Ooty, known as the Blue Mountains, is also called Queen of the Hill stations. The Hills spread with greenery and lofty hills of extraordinary scenic beauty. Hence the mountain is a combination of four hills: Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill and Club Hills, which which are part of the Nilgiri ranges. They are situated in the Western ghats at the height of 7,500ft. The weather is similar to the English summer.
The hills are famous for coffee and tea plantations and famous as Paradise for Honeymooners. When you visit these places, you will come across many eucalyptus trenches. The smell and fresh breeze on the hill give you peace and make you forget yourself with the beauty around you. Above the slope, the lavender-blue flowers spread over the mountain make you not turn off your head from them. Although there is no doubt your visit to Ooty will ever make a memorable event in your life.
Ooty History:
The place has a long 800 years of history; Hoysalas king Vishnu Vardhana who ruled from 1104 to 1141 AD, seized the Nilgiris Plateau. The name Nilgiri came from the blue haze which spreads most of the distant hills. In 1603 Jacome Forico, a European, visited this place and wrote about the people living in Nilgiri Hills and their traditions. But in 1799, due to the Srirangapatnam treaty between the East India Company and Tipu Sultan, this place came into possession of the British. In 1818, Wishland Kindersley, assistant to Coimbatore Collector, visited this place and submitted the weather conditions and his feelings to then Collector Mr John Sullivan. Hence in 1822, a stone house was constructed under John Sullivan’s guidance and named udhagamandalam. The Bungalow has been maintained as the Chamber of the Principal of Government Arts College. Still, the Bungalow is the major attraction of Udhagamandalam.
Ooty Tourist Spots:
Botanical Garden: This is one of the significant attractions places for visitors. This is spread around 50 acres and lies lower slopes of Dodabetta peak. The peak is the highest point in Ooty.
Government Museum: It was set up in 1989 to provide awareness to visitors about the tradition and culture of the Nilgiri people. The museum has items of tribal objects and some sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu. The location of museum is located beside Mysore Road.
Kalhatty Falls: Kalhatty Falls is situated at Kalhatty slopes about 13 km from udagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam-Mysore Kalhatty Ghat road. These falls, also called the ‘Kalahasti Falls’, cascade down a height of 122 metres.
Kandal Cross Shrine: Kandal cross is famous for the Christian religious faiths. There is a Roman Catholic Shrine which is called Jerusalem of the East. Still, it is also renowned for ‘Calvary of Tamil Nadu’.
Rose Garden: There are such wide varieties of rose flower plants growing in this garden. This garden is situated on the way to the boathouse; there is also a children’s amusement park, which makes fun of the children.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary: This is one of the National parks on the Mysore-Ooty highway.
Ooty Lake:
This is a very favourite spot for tourists. It was constructed in 1825 under the guidance of then-Coimbatore collector Sullivan.
Ooty Hotels:
There are many luxury hotels and Hill resorts available to stay. Some medium-priced economy hotels are also available in Ooty. Since some special packages also offer hotels to newly wedded couples, honeymoon visitors and family vacation tourists.
Best time to Visit:
November to March is the best time to visit this place. Mostly from April to June, the hill station is covered with a crowd.
How to Reach
By Air: Nearest Airport is Coimbatore Airport. The distance is 105 km to Ooty.
By Rail: Ooty is on the narrow gauge railway.
By Road: Road connectivity is good from all major cities to Ooty. Highways connect to Ooty from all major towns and cities.