Ooty India, Ooty Travel, Ooty Tours, Tourism in Ooty, Ooty Tour Packages, Ooty Tourism.
Nestled
amongst the blue mountains of southern India, the erstwhile British
township of Ooty enchants tourists, adventure enthusiasts, honeymooners
and the film industry alike. An amphitheatre created by four majestic
hills - Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill and Club Hill that are really the
meeting point for the Western and the Eastern Ghats, the real name of
this 36-sq-km hill resort is Udhagamandalam. These are referred to as
'Blue Mountains' because of the lavender-blue flowers of the famous
Strobilanthes that bloom to cover the hills in floral profusion during
the season.
The nearby lake was once once a huge bog with a west-flowing stream. In
1824, the lower part of the stream was converted into a lake. It has a
boathouse from where one can hire the rowboats and motorboats and the
ethereal beauty of the setting sun by the lakeside is enough to charm
anybody. The beautiful Botanical Gardens are, in a word, Ooty's
milestone. The British, founded this hill resort in the early 1800s, to
serve as the Madras Government's summer headquarters. The Botanical
Gardens of Ooty, established in 1847, are much like the typical,
manicured and planned gardens one sees so often with an amazingly
diverse array with trees, shrubs and herbs of a mind boggling number of
species. At 2240 m above sea level, it has pollution-free air and
multihued blossoms to add to its beauty. The fossil tree trunk that one
sees here is believed to be 20 million years old. Its long and lovely
walks, the serenity of the Nilgiris are soothing while Ooty is also a
haven for the seeker of sports and adventure with diverse activities
like hiking, riding, fishing for trout and playing tennis and snooker.
Ooty's gorgeous golf courses are among the best in the world. There is
the Race Course, in the heart of town and eucalyptus trees abound on its
slopes. Camellia tea brought to the Nilgiris in the 1860s, is amongst
India's most prominent plantation crops and is like a second skin to the
slopes of the Nilgiris all round Ooty.
Shopping Attractions:
For a judicious shopping at Ooty, look for exclusive Nilgiri products
such as garden-fresh Nilgiri tea, fresh fruits, aromatic and medicinal
natural oils like Eucalyptus and essences extracted from forest herbs,
vegetables and spices. One may also opt for Toda embroideries and plant
nurseries easily available in the town. Co-operative Super Market and
Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping fruits and
general groceries.
Prime Attractions:
Government Botanical Garden:
Marquis
of Tweedale, then Governor of Madras, first laid this garden in 1847.
Covering an area of 22 acres, it houses a fossil tree trunk of 20
million years. The flora of the garden consists of six sections
comprising varieties of tree species, grass carpet, variety of ferns,
fashioned beds laid beds laid out in an Italian style, multi-colored
flowering plants, house ferns and orchids and nurseries.
Mini Garden:
Tourists can visit this mini garden, which is on the way to the Boat
House. It is home to a children amusement park and also houses a snack
bar.
Doddabetta:
The highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris, it is about 10 km from
Ooty. Situated at the junction of the Western & Eastern Ghats, it
offers beautiful views of the Nilgiri Hill ranges. Dense shoals surround
it and the landscape all around is picturesquely panoramic.
The Mukkurthi Peak & National Park:
Mukkurthi Peak is about 40 Km form Ooty and the Mukkurthi National Park
is on the southern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a
viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius). The other
mahor peaks are Kollaribetta and Nilgiris Peak. The area witnesses
innumerable beautiful and perennial little streams, which fall into
Bhavani Puzha. The Silent Valley in the Western Ghat is located on the
Western side of these ranges. A fascinating feature of the Mukkurthi
Sanctuary is its endemism and relationship with Himalayan flora and
fauna.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary:
Located at a height of 1140 meters, at the junction point of Kerala,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it extends over and area of 321 sq. km. A
variety of flora consisting of tropical ever green forest, moist teak
forest, secondary grasslands and swamps are found. Panther, Sambar,
spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild boar, Porcupine and many others make up
the fauna of the forest along with the avian fauna that includes
Minivets, Hornbills, Fairy Blue Birds and Jungle Fowls.
Pykara:
Situated about 21 km from Ooty, on the Ooty-Mysore Road, the highlights
of the 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 here. There
is a Forest Rest House at Pykara and a Boat House with Restaurant is
also available.
The Narrow Trail:
A journey in the mountain train of Ooty is heavenly. Starting at
Mettupalayam, 46 km southeast of Ooty, Blue Mountain Express gets pushed
by an engine instead of being pulled! This small town is full of crowd
and it is practically impossible to ascend the train from Coonoor, a
stop enroute to Mettupalayam. However, the overpowering Nilgiri
landscape enchants you so that you forget the discomfort of the crowds
and get lost into the blissful greenery.
Summer Festival:
The highlights are the regular Cultural Programmes, fashion parades,
Flower and Fruit shows along with Boat races, Boat pageantry and dog
shows. Unforgettable with its sparkling green valleys, pleasant climate
and delicious tea and fruits tempts the tourists to visit here again and
again. The Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu &
Ministry of Tourism and Government of India jointly organize all these
festivals.
The Tea:
The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Patronizing
mountains, dense forests, rambling 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. During this festival, tea
lovers from all over the world converge in the Ooty to celebrate the
taste of its manna.
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