Last Updated on January 12, 2020 by Chef Mireille
The Most Popular Sights of Ooty- South India – Discover all the reasons you must visit Ooty!
It’s been two weeks since the last #TravelTuesday issue but I have the best issue yet so I am sure you will overlook the skipped weeks. This is a guest post from my friend PJ. She is from a town called Ooty in South India. Here is her personal tour through her home town. She will have you ready to book your ticket tomorrow!
When you make it to India, sure visit Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Mumbai…but don’t miss a visit to this hill station where you can absorb local culture away from the tourist traps!
It’s summer time and the apt time to go on a vacation!! Today’s
trip is to Ooty.This is one place that is very close to my heart – a place where
I grew up. So naturally I wanted to take you around this beautiful place!
trip is to Ooty.This is one place that is very close to my heart – a place where
I grew up. So naturally I wanted to take you around this beautiful place!
Udhamandalam or Udhagai as it also called, is located in
South India and is the District capital of the Nilgiris,meaning ‘The Blue
Mountain’.
South India and is the District capital of the Nilgiris,meaning ‘The Blue
Mountain’.
Ooty is a picturesque
hill town surrounded by four magnificent
hills belonging to the Nilgiri range.It is situated about 2213 meters above sea
level and it has a very pleasant
climate- beautiful spring and summer, chilly and frosty winters and really wet
monsoons!
hill town surrounded by four magnificent
hills belonging to the Nilgiri range.It is situated about 2213 meters above sea
level and it has a very pleasant
climate- beautiful spring and summer, chilly and frosty winters and really wet
monsoons!
Here is a small tit bit on the history of this place….
The history of this place goes back to the time when the British
East India Company came to India , settled
in various part and were ruling the country. Ooty was founded by Sir John
Sullivan who was the governor of the neighboring place-Coimbatore.He was pretty
impressed with the landscape and the climate declared it to be similar to
Switzerland!
East India Company came to India , settled
in various part and were ruling the country. Ooty was founded by Sir John
Sullivan who was the governor of the neighboring place-Coimbatore.He was pretty
impressed with the landscape and the climate declared it to be similar to
Switzerland!
He built a town and established a good relationship with the
tribes of Ooty and helped develop the economy of the place. Now, there is a
memorial that has been built to honor his efforts in building such a beautiful
place.
tribes of Ooty and helped develop the economy of the place. Now, there is a
memorial that has been built to honor his efforts in building such a beautiful
place.
In those days, Ooty served as the summer capital of the
Madras Presidency and the other kingdoms that were a part of the British Raj.
Madras Presidency and the other kingdoms that were a part of the British Raj.
This town has still has several heritage buildings that
point to the British architecture and most of them are still used as government
offices / library / tourist spot!
point to the British architecture and most of them are still used as government
offices / library / tourist spot!
How to reach there?
Ooty can be reached by rail or road.The nearest airport is
at Bangalore, Kozhikode,Coimbatore and from there one can take a taxi, bus,
train.
at Bangalore, Kozhikode,Coimbatore and from there one can take a taxi, bus,
train.
Where to stay?
There are plenty of hotels in and around Ooty that fits into
every category- be it resorts or budget hotels.
every category- be it resorts or budget hotels.
When to visit?
The best season to visit is from mid March to May after which the monsoon
starts and then in September – October before the winter starts.
The best season to visit is from mid March to May after which the monsoon
starts and then in September – October before the winter starts.
What to wear?
The climate is cool all the year so be sure to carry a light
jacket and some warm cloths especially if visiting in winter.Also carry an
umbrella.
jacket and some warm cloths especially if visiting in winter.Also carry an
umbrella.
How to travel within
the town?
the town?
You can travel by auto to see the individual attractions or
go on a package tour by engaging a taxi whereby you can visit many places in a
day. But frankly you need at least a week to visit all the places in leisure.
go on a package tour by engaging a taxi whereby you can visit many places in a
day. But frankly you need at least a week to visit all the places in leisure.
What to see?
Owing to the climatic conditions,
Ooty has developed into a major tourist spot. People from all over the world
flock this place all through the year! There are plenty of places to see but am
showing you around a few important and must-see places in and around Ooty….
Ooty has developed into a major tourist spot. People from all over the world
flock this place all through the year! There are plenty of places to see but am
showing you around a few important and must-see places in and around Ooty….
Botanical Gardens – Established in the year 1848, this is one of
the major attractions on Ooty. It covers an area of approx. 22 hectares and the
land is divided into many sectors with a terraced layout. It took almost 10
years to finish the layout of this magnificent garden!
the major attractions on Ooty. It covers an area of approx. 22 hectares and the
land is divided into many sectors with a terraced layout. It took almost 10
years to finish the layout of this magnificent garden!
The Garden boasts of thousands of
varieties of exotic flowers, plants, shrubs, herbs and trees.
varieties of exotic flowers, plants, shrubs, herbs and trees.
The lush lawns, colorful flower
beds, ponds with lilies and lotus, the Italian Garden, the conservatory are
some of the catching places in this garden.
beds, ponds with lilies and lotus, the Italian Garden, the conservatory are
some of the catching places in this garden.
The Ooty Flower show- an annual
event in summer is the time when lakhs of visitors throng this place.
event in summer is the time when lakhs of visitors throng this place.
Some of the major attractions in
this garden are
this garden are
·
The heritage gate that is seen at the entrance
which was built as a plant conservatory in the year 1859.
The heritage gate that is seen at the entrance
which was built as a plant conservatory in the year 1859.
·
The cannon – A couple of these are placed on
either sides of the entrance
The cannon – A couple of these are placed on
either sides of the entrance
·
Fossil tree – That is almost 20 million years
old!
Fossil tree – That is almost 20 million years
old!
·
Toda huts- A small collection of tribal huts.
This is present way up in the garden but now a model hut is kept at the
entrance which sells some things that are unique to Ooty
Toda huts- A small collection of tribal huts.
This is present way up in the garden but now a model hut is kept at the
entrance which sells some things that are unique to Ooty
As we leave the garden and enter the town , there is another
attraction at the Charing cross.
This was built in the year 1886 and is
now a famous and notable landmark in town.
attraction at the Charing cross.
This was built in the year 1886 and is
now a famous and notable landmark in town.
 |
| Charing Cross |
The Adams fountain
present in the centre is said to bear resemblance to the one in London!
present in the centre is said to bear resemblance to the one in London!
The next attraction is the boat house whose main thrill lies in boating and the ride in the
Toy train.
Toy train.
The toy train is nothing but a kids train
that takes you on a ride along the lake and kids and adults can enjoy a
stunning view of nature.
that takes you on a ride along the lake and kids and adults can enjoy a
stunning view of nature.
The Rose Garden
in Ooty, is said to be the largest Rose Garden in India, was established in the
year 1995 to commemorate the centenary flower show in the botanical gardens. It
is situated on the slopes on Elk Hill, Ooty.
in Ooty, is said to be the largest Rose Garden in India, was established in the
year 1995 to commemorate the centenary flower show in the botanical gardens. It
is situated on the slopes on Elk Hill, Ooty.
It covers an area of 4 hectares and has roses arranged over
5 curving terraces.
5 curving terraces.
Though there are still more places to see, I am now moving
on to the other places around Ooty that are worth a visit..
on to the other places around Ooty that are worth a visit..
Dodabetta is the
highest mountain in the Nilgiri range and stands at an altitude
of 2,623 meters, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty!
highest mountain in the Nilgiri range and stands at an altitude
of 2,623 meters, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty!
Kodanadu
View Point is yet another place that one must visit just to enjoy the spectacular
view! From this point we can see the the
Rangasamy Peak, Rangasamy Pillar, Catherine Falls and Dolphin’s Nose ,
beautiful view of the Bhavanisagar Reservoir, Deccan Plateau and Thengumarahada
Village.
View Point is yet another place that one must visit just to enjoy the spectacular
view! From this point we can see the the
Rangasamy Peak, Rangasamy Pillar, Catherine Falls and Dolphin’s Nose ,
beautiful view of the Bhavanisagar Reservoir, Deccan Plateau and Thengumarahada
Village.
Valley view is a
point on the highway leading to Ooty from Coimbatore[NH 67] which is a perfect
spot to enjoy the striking beauty of the Ketti valley, one of the largest
valley in the world!
point on the highway leading to Ooty from Coimbatore[NH 67] which is a perfect
spot to enjoy the striking beauty of the Ketti valley, one of the largest
valley in the world!
The Pykara reserviour
has become a tourist spot of late. There is a also boating facility here.
has become a tourist spot of late. There is a also boating facility here.
The mountain ranges,forests and the tea estates that are
found on either side of the road on the way to Ooty by train / road is a sight
to behold!!!All though the way, you can see loads of monkeys crossing the roads
and playing on the sides and they are always ready to pick up your belongings
if you don’t watch out!!
found on either side of the road on the way to Ooty by train / road is a sight
to behold!!!All though the way, you can see loads of monkeys crossing the roads
and playing on the sides and they are always ready to pick up your belongings
if you don’t watch out!!
Last but not the least, a trip on the NMR
/ Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a must! The NMR track is 1,000 mm
(3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)metre gauge.
A section of the tracks between Coonoor and Mettupalayam has the rack and
pinion tracks.
This type of track is laid to climb the steep terrain. A trip on this train
is a very memorable one for it passes
through 16 tunnels, 250 bridges,108 curves covering a distance of around 42 kms!
The train moves rather slowly so that it gives us an opportunity to behold the
breath taking beauty of the hills!
What’s even more interesting is the engine pushes the train from behind on
the trip going up to Ooty and it is in front while going downhill! This ensures
that the train does not run amuck.
The other places worth visiting around Ooty are – Dolphin’s nose, Catherine
Falls,Lamb’s rock,Sim’s park, ,Lady Canning’s seat,Tea estates and factories, Honey
and Bee museum, etc…
What to shop!?
Ooty is not only famous for its tourists attractions but also for the
various products sold there.
·
It is famous for its tea leaves and various
essential oils like Eucalyptus oil, Cinchona oil etc.
It is famous for its tea leaves and various
essential oils like Eucalyptus oil, Cinchona oil etc.
·
You can also get a wide range of home made
chocolates in various flavors and with various additions.
You can also get a wide range of home made
chocolates in various flavors and with various additions.
·
Fresh spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom
are not to be missed.
Fresh spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom
are not to be missed.
·
Ooty Varkey which is a flaky pastry is something
that is much sort after. A cup of tea with varkey is a hot favorite among
locals.
Ooty Varkey which is a flaky pastry is something
that is much sort after. A cup of tea with varkey is a hot favorite among
locals.
·
Todas are the local tribes of Ooty and their
handmade embroidery shawls and jewels are very unique and exquisite.
Todas are the local tribes of Ooty and their
handmade embroidery shawls and jewels are very unique and exquisite.
·
Fresh fruits , vegetables, flowers are sold on
the street side and one can taste sweet crunchy carrots, steamed corn, juicy
peaches and plums, enjoy the beautiful marigolds etc.
Fresh fruits , vegetables, flowers are sold on
the street side and one can taste sweet crunchy carrots, steamed corn, juicy
peaches and plums, enjoy the beautiful marigolds etc.
·
There are plenty of souvenir shops in and around
Ooty where you can find all sort of artifacts. But be sure to bargain before
you buy.
There are plenty of souvenir shops in and around
Ooty where you can find all sort of artifacts. But be sure to bargain before
you buy.
Mir I have such amazing memories of Ooty. You reminded me of my honeymoon. Lovely post by PJ
Wow PJ, that's such an awesome post..Growing up Coonoor was our yearly summer resort and I have such fond memories of the place..Reading this got me so nostalgic!..Thanks to Mir, for getting this series on..
Lovely post Mir and PJ ! Went there many times during my summer holidays as my uncle and aunt stayed there :)) nostalgia sweeps me now …& want to take d kids along too
Great post PJ and Mir!!! Thanks for the list of places to visit, since i m planning my trip their for this august, this is such a useful post!! 🙂