OOTY: EXPLORING THE QUEEN OF HILL STATION

The Nilgiri hills, Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is located in the Western Ghats, Which explains called as “Queen of hill Stations.” The hill station itself is a land of beautiful places. It is one of the most popular hill stations in Tamil Nadu India. Here have green hills, blue hills, tea plantations, Handmade chocolates, Lakes and Waterfalls, Well developed tourist sports, pleasant climate and so on. Ooty is one of the most popular destinations for local activities and so many international tourists for every year.

How to reach Ooty

Now about the Wonderful places to see in Ooty. Which is in India(Tamil Nadu), planning your holidays and pickins here.

By road : buses and private cabs for here are available from Bangalore 300 km, Coimbatore 88 km, Chennai 558 km, Hyderabad 847 km and nearby cities.

By Rail : The Mettupalayam (40 km) from Coimbatore is the nearest railway station. Here so many rails to reach Ooty are available from nearest cities like Bangalore, Coimbatore, Mysore, Chennai and nearby cities. You can also go to Nilgiri Railway station (Toy train), Which is connects Ooty to Coonoor, Mettupalayam.

By air : Reaching by air, The Coimbatore is the nearest airport the distance of (57 km ) from Ooty. It offers so many types of domestic flights from various cities, Like Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore and here also has flights to Singapore and other places.

LIST OF PLACES TO VISIT IN OOTY

  1. Doddabetta peak
  2. Government Botanical Gardens
  3. Ooty Lake
  4. Toy Train
  5. Rose Gardens
  6. Pine forest
  7. Pykara waterfalls and Pykara boat house
  8. Doddabetta Tea factory and tea museum
  9. Lamb’S Rock
  10. Dolphin Nose View Point
  11. Ooty Stone House
  12. Tibetan Market
  13. Toda Tribes Temple

DODDABETTA PEAK

Doddabetta peak is on the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats near the town of Ooty (Udhagamandalam) witch the state of Tamil Nadu India. Doddabetta peak is 2,637 metres (8,65 feet) above sea level Making it is a second highest peak in south india. It is one of the most popular tourist attraction with road access to the summit. There is an top of the Doddabetta has two telescopes are available for public, It was opened  june 18 in 1983, by then Tamil Nadu Tourism Development corporation. The views of the surrounding and landscapes, The green valleys, forests and tea plantations are their. Adding to the amazing ness of this scenic sport in the Nilgiris.

GOVERNMENT BOTANICAL GARDENS

Ooty Government Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful gardens. These gardens spread across 55 acres of land. The species of exotic plants, including ferns, orchids, and bonsai. The highlight is the fossilised  trunk  of a tree that is believed to be over 20 millions years old. It is well developed and well maintained, well organised  gardens.

OOTY LAKE (OOTY BOAT HOUSE)

Ooty Lake is a one of the most popular destinations, For this artificial lake and Man Made Lake to be built in the early 19th century in 1824. It is located from heart of the Ooty town, This is a popular sport for boating. The Ooty lake is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and offers wonderful views of the Nilgiri hills. These Lake look like a “L” shape. Boating in Ooty lake is a beautiful experience. There are various types of Boats are their Motor Boat, pedal boat, Raw Boat, For Kids they are so many games are available, Like mirror house, columbus ride, horror house and dashing cars things to do here. It’s an ideal shooting place to visit  and enjoying the beauty of a Ooty.

TOY TRAIN

The toy train is a wonderful experience and enjoy a scenic journey on this train. Toy train was United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) heritage site. The toy train through the pictures, valleys, lush tea plantations, tunnels, Curves, nature was so beautiful and it offers breathtaking views of Nilgiri hills. It is a memorable experience in itself.

ROSE GARDEN

The rose garden it is most popular destinations in Ooty, known as the largest rose garden in India. This beautiful land spaced garden is home to over 20,000 varieties of roses. They have maintained floribundus, miniature, hybrid tea roses and climbers, etc. Through The Rouses are beautiful fragrances, colours, shapes and colourful pathways. These gardens are formed by the lush greenery, So its offers breathtaking views and enjoy’s the beautiful views of these gardens.

PINE FOREST

The Pine Forest is most popular shooting sport. The pine trees are arranged in orderly in a small drowned hill area of Nilgiri mountains. These pine trees 3 to 8 metres tall, evergreen and scenic view of the peaceful environment and  atmosphere. The pine forest has 100 to 1000 years old trees are their and few are 4000 years old. These trees are used in constructions for furniture and to prepare a products. It is very famous place for movies and serials for shootings. These pines are Monoecious, some pines are female and some are male are formed in same tree. The cone are 0.5 to 12 inches long  its thicky and scaly bark and amazing locations then walk down 200 metres to reach the banks of kamaraj sagar dam and horse riding are their. In pine trees release less oxygen.

PYKARA WATERFALLS AND PYKARA BOAT HOUSE

PYKARA WATERFALLS

pykara waterfalls is located 24 kilometres from Ooty, This waterfalls is a popular destination for its Amazing waterfall  and tranquil lake. The peaceful surroundings of pykara waterfalls, located amidst lush green valleys and pine forests. By the lake side, surrounded by Scenic Surroundings, Relaxing Atmosphere, Boat Rides, landscapes and beautiful waterfalls. There is no permission entering into the waterfalls and boating not allowed.

PYKARA BOAT HOUSE

The boat house, It is jest 2 kilometres from pykara waterfalls. Here having few restaurants and snack bar are there. There also a small kids play area.  There are various types of boats for riding they are Motor boats, pedal boats, Raw boats etc.

DODDABETTA TEA FACTORY AND MUSEUM

The Doddabetta tea factory and tea museum is constructed between the blue hills of Nilgiri hills. In 2005 opened by the majii tea board member N.K Krishnamurthy. These  factory spread 1 across of land, In this factory per one month 30 tuns of  tea powder will be done. In this tea factory, our world in India, where tea are made are arranged in the form of charts. Here we can learn about how to prepare tea powder with tea leaf, how to cut, twist and cut method processing. Here various types of tea powders are available like green tea, black tea, white tea and so on. nearby having Nilgiri essential Oils and Herbal powders are available inside of factory. nearby also chocolate factory with in the tea factory.

CHOCOLATE FACTORY

A chocolate factory has also been built on next to the tea factory, where there making pure hand- made chocolates  is also. Outside of the tea factory and chocolate factory, There are also adventure activities like eagles dare, zip swing, zip line and so many.

LAMB’S ROCK (COONOOR)

Lamb’s Rock is one of the most beautiful and panoramic views in Coonoor. It is located almost 25 km from Ooty. To reach the top of the view point you have to walk 20 minutes in these pathways. The pathways are surrounded by the Dense forest. From here you will get to see the view of Karnataka and Kerala State. This is the 3rd and lost view point in Lamb’s Rock.

DOLPHIN NOSE VIEW POINT(COONOOR)

The Dolphin Nose View point offers Beautiful and Breathtaking views of  Mountains. It is located almost 30 km from Ooty (12 km from coonoor). The view point looks like a “Dolphin Nose ” shape. The Dolphin Nose View point spread1,550 Metres (5075 feet) above sea level. Here on the down of view point Catherine Falls and Kotagiri Streams are there. The view of Dolphin Nose Point 360 degree. In this view point also giving a gallery on the top you can climb up using a states and we have a clear view of the surrounding of Mountains. There also includes some Advenchers like Horse riding, Boating, Picnics and enjoying the tea estates.

OOTY STONE HOUSE (GOVERNMENT MUSEUM IN UDHAGAMANDALAM)

The Ooty Stone House also known as Government Museum in Udhagamandalam, It is located 3 km away from Ooty bus stand. Which was the first Kal Bangla built in Ooty with stone. In 1822 early 19 century by  John Sullivan, He was the first Collector in Ooty (Udhagamandalam). The Stone House is now part of  Government Arts College and Serves as the Official Residences of Principal. Where “Kal ” means stone and “Bangla” means Museum. The stone house was surrounded by the lush greenery and mountains.

The Stone House is home of the Government Museum, Shows the region’s History, Culture, Sculptures, Paintings, Tribes, and Ecology. The Visitors can Explore Different types of sections dedicated to Geological Specimens, Ancient Sculptures, Musical instruments, Toda tribes etc. Every year so many tourists are there. So here every friday and 2nd saturdays  Government holidays.

TIBETAN MARKET

The Tibetan Market is a most popular destination for shopping. It is located near by the Botanical Garden. This is the perfect place to buy so many wide collections of warm winter clothes like Shawls, Warm woollen cloths, Jackates, Gloves, Pullovers, Hoodies, Cardigans, Mufrals, Monkey caps, Hand made Woollen crafts, Traditional arts and offers a high range of local products etc. Here products are very good quality and all the products are sale at a fixed rate.

TODA TRIBES TEMPLE

The Toda tribes live in a small pastoral community from the Nilgiri hills of south India Ooty (Udhagamandalam). It is located within the Government Botanical Garden, With unique huts located in their settlements called as “Munds’ ‘ in Ooty, Mainly for cattle and storage, and their livelihood revolves around dairy farming. The Toda Tribe Temple is constructed in the shape of “hunt”. Temple is thatched with the shaved fibres of grass and bamboo were collected for two months, Here only locally available materials are used for building the temple. The entrance of the temple is made of a single stone which was a brought from the trirpour. This monolith replaces the previously using wooden altar. There are no idols in the toda temple throughout the year. Here women are not permitted near the temple, But they can watch from a distance. The Toda Tribe temple walls are adorned with a Paintings was depicting buffaloes, The Moon god and Sun god.

BEST SEASONS TO VISIT IN OOTY

OOTY IN SUMMER

During March to May, Ooty is pleasant and with temperatures range from 15 to 20 degree cl. This summer season in attractive a lot of tourists looking and you can enjoy so many activities like picnicking with family, boating on Ooty lake, horse riding etc.

OOTY IN MONSOON

During June to May,  In Ooty receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon. The climate was beautiful and the greenery of the regions. Making its a wonderful pictures, but the land are very slippery roads can somethings distop travel plans. So check the weather and road conditions to before visiting.

OOTY IN WINTER

During Winter December to February, The temperatures range from 5 to 15 cl. In winter season the weather is very cool for enjoy the misty of mornings and evenings, It is also the best time to visit for adventures and other activities like tea esters, tea plantations, camping and trekking etc. 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Ooty itselfs presents as a captivate destination and activities with its beautiful landscapes, enjoying the  nature of Nilgiri hills. So  it offers breathtaking views of Ooty, The weather seeking pleasant climate like tunnels, Lush greenery of the tea stores, serene lakes, toda tribes and waterfalls to impres the visitors. For more like this, visit Journey Index.

Rahila SK: