An Insight :
Udhagamandalam, this Queen of hill stations, otherwise known as Ooty, is in
the Nilgiri mountain ranges of Tamil Nadu. At a height of 2,268 meters, Ooty
is known for its salubrious climate and scenic beauty. For residents of the
south it is a delightful place to escape to from the oppressive summer heat.
The best thing about Ooty is that it combines the peace and tranquility of a
hill station with the comforts of urban life. Ooty’s colonial legacy
extends to very nook & corner, and nowhere is it more apparent than in
the Ooty club that is beyond compare.
Ooty is characterized by rolling meadows, gardens and lakes vaguely
reminiscent of England. It still retains something of the Raj in its
cottages and stone churches. The Botanical gardens, with 2,000 species of
plants of a magnificent flower show was landscaped and established in 1847
by the Marquis of Tweepdale. A fossil of a tree trunk is a unique exhibit
here for it is belived to be 20 million years old. There is also an
artificial lake where facilities for boating are available. Pony rides,
minitrains rides, and quiet walks amidst the forest roads are other
temptations. The highest peak in the Nilgiri range is Doddabetta, 2.623 mts
in height and 10 km from the main town. From here one can have a fine view
of Ooty city, Gundalpet, Coonoor, Wellington and Mysore on a clear day.
Lets Explore Ooty :
» 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.
» 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.
» Ooty Lake - The beautiful Ooty Lake is a
favorite 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.
Where is Ooty?
By Air The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (100 km away) which is well
connected by air from Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. The other gateway for
Ooty, is Bangalore, 280 kms away.
By Rail Ooty is connected by a narrow gauge railway service from
Mettupalayam which serves as the railhead for mainline trains. From
Mettupalayam, the Hill Train takes you upto Ooty, affording the traveller
superb views. The Nilgiri Express connects the railhead with Chennai daily.
By Road Ooty can be reached conveniently via Bangalore (280 kms),
Coimbatore (100 kms) and Mysore (170 kms).
