Where is Ooty?
Ooty
or Udhagamandalam(105 km from Coimbatore), the capital of the Nilgiri
district, is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India. It is
perched at an elevation of 2,268 m in the Nilgirimountain ranges.
How will you gain access?
Coimbatore (105 km) is the nearest airport. The city of Ooty lies on the
narrow gauge railway and is connected to Mettupalayam (47 km) which provides
links with Coimbatore and Chennai. Ooty is connected by toy-train to
Mettupalayam and Coonoor. The city is well-connected by road to places like
Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Calicut and
other tourist destinations in South India.
What magnetises people?
» Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens, sprawling over an area of 50 acres, lies on the
lower slopes of the Dodabetta peak. The garden was set up by the Marquis of
Tweeddale in the year 1848. The garden houses about a thousand different
species of plants. The fossilised Tree Trunk is said to be 20 million years
old. For those visiting Ooty, the Botanical Gardens are a great attraction.
The environs are sure to touch one's heart.
» Ooty Lake
The
Ooty Lake is an enchanting artificial lake. It was created by the then
Collector of Coimbatore John Sullivan in the year 1824. The mesmerising
atmosphere and the bewitching beauty of the lake leaves no one untouched.
» St. Stephens Church
The St. Stephens Church, lying on the Club Road, is considered to be the
oldest in the Nilgiris. The church was erected in the year 1829, its beams
being taken from the palace of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam. Close to the
church lies the cemetery housing the grave of John Sullivan, the founder of
Ooty.
» Dodabettta
Heading 10 km away from Ooty, one comes to the highest peak in the Nilgiri
ranges- Dodabetta. The peak soars up to a height of 2623 m above sea level.
It lies at the junction of the Western and the Eastern Ghats. It offers a
miraculous view of the Nilgiri range.
» Government Museum
The Government Museum lies on the Mysore Road, exhibiting a collection of
tribal objects, ecological details, sculptural arts and crafts of the state
of Tamil Nadu. It was established in the year 1989, with a view to providing
educational benefits to the residents and the visitors of the place.
What are the adventures in store?
Ooty makes a wonderful place for indulging oneself in adventure activities.
There are various options such as trekking, nature walks, bird watching,
hang gliding and angling. One can choose from shorter and longer treks to
explore and enjoy the scenic beauty of the city. Ooty is also home to
various species of birds, attracting a huge number of bird-watchers from all
across. There are a number of planned trek routes from Ooty. At a distance
of 10 km from Ooty, lies the highest peak in the blue mountains- Dodda
Betta. The streams and lakes of the city are truly an angler's delight.
Which are the nearby hotels?
Hotel Savoy (100 km from Coimbatore Airport) sprawls over an area of 6
acres, overlooking the breathtaking valleys and verdant hills of the region.
The Heritage hotel offers guest amenities like fireplace, international
direct-dial facility, channel music, colour TV etc. The 3- star group of
hotels includes names like Hotel Sinclairs (110 km from Coimbatore Airport),
Holiday Inn Resort (100 km from Coimbatore Airport) and Sterling Holiday
Resort (100 km from Coimbatore Airport).
What is the best time?
Ooty enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. The city records a
maximum temperature of 25 degrees during the summers and a minimum of 5
degrees in winters. One can pay a visit to Ooty between the months of
February and May and between September and November.
