Ooty is famous for its healthy 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 serenity of a hill station with the comforts of urban life. Ooty's colonial legacy extends to very nook and 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 and Mysore on a clear day. Ooty can be reached by a toy train from Mettupalayam which is connected by main rail and highways from Coimbatore, Bangalore and Mysore.
 

Different Sceneries from Ooty ("Queen of Hill Stations")

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.

History

It is believed that the name Nila, has been in use for over 800 years since, the King of the Hoysalas Vishnu Vardhana, who ruled from 1104 to 1141 AD seized the Nilgiris Plateau. His general Ponisia recorded this fact in 1117 AD with mention of Todas. The name Nilgiri was due to the blue haze, which envelops the range with most distant hills of considerable size.

In 1818, Wishand Kindersley, Assistant and Second Assistant to Collector of Coimbatore visited this spot and submitted their experience report to the Collector of Coimbatore Mr. John Sullivan. Settlement in Udhagamandalam began in 1822 with the construction of the Stone House by John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. The bungalow, which is locally called "Kal Bangla", is one of the landmarks of Udhagamandalam and is now the Chamber of the Principal of the Government Arts College.

This Nilgiri territory came into possession of the East India Company as part of the ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan, by the treaty of Srirangapatnam in 1799. Rev. Jacome Forico, a priest was the first European who visited Nilgiris in 1603 and released his notes about the place and people of Nilgiris. In 1812 surveyor William Keys and Macmohan visited the top of the plateau.

The Tea

The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling 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. Visit Ooty during this festival, when tea lovers from all over the world converge. An occasion not to be missed!

Ooty popualrly known as the "Queen of Hill Stations", is located about 90kms from Coimbatore,which is also the nearest airport, one of the big cities in Tamilnadu. With a beautiful, breath-taking lake and lush green scenery with Silver Oak and Teak trees bordering the skyline. Nearby destinations are Coonoor, Dhodda Betta and Kotha Giri. Ooty can be visited during any time of the year, but the best time is between Mar-July.-Ram Shridhar.
 

Tea Garden at Ooty	Forest at Ooty	Coffe Teas at Ooty