[ Edit ] Overview

Ooty or Udhagamandalam was aptly called the "Queen of Hill Stations" by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. This beautiful hill station sprawls over an area of 36 sq km and is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. Its year long pleasant weather makes it a very popular holiday destination.

The name ‘Udhagamandalam’ is derived from the Tamil word ‘Ottakkalmandu’, meaning ’a village of a single stone’, perhaps referring to the sacred stone revered by the local tribe, Todas.

Ooty is situated in the Nilgiri hills also called as Blue Mountains in Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu. The hill station is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in South India. The town has some very popular tourist spots within the town's vicinity such as Ooty Botanical Garden which has a display of many popular and rare varities of flowers, trees and shrubs. The garden host a flower show every year. Within the premises of the garden one can also find Toda Huts of the local tribes of this region. Ooty Lake and Boat House is another popular spot with tourist for boating and other leisure activities. Other places worth visiting are St Stephen's Church, Wax House, Lamb's Rock and Kalhattty Falls.

Ooty is also popular for its many tea plantations and other agricultural products. Therefore many agriculture based research institutes are situated over here, such as soil consevation centre, potato research farm and others. Floriculture and Sericulture are also two industries which are slowly being developed here.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO connects the town of Ooty to Mettupalayam at the foothills of Nilgiri Mountains.

Close to Ooty one can visit Doddabetta Peak, the highest peak in Niligiri Mountains, Ketti Valley and Pykara Lake and Falls which is a popular picnic spot. For animal sightseeing one can also visit Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Mukurthi National Park.

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[ Edit ] History

Ooty was first brought to the public eye by John Sullivan in 1819 after he started developing the hill station into a quiet retreat. Later tea plantations started here and are continued to this day.

Quick Facts

[ Edit ] State

Tamil Nadu, India

[ Edit ] Location

In the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu.

[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit

April to June and September to November.

[ Edit ] Tourist Offices

[ Edit ] STD Code

0423

Sightseeing

Avalanche

Botanical Garden

Coonoor

Doddabetta

Fernhill Palace

Ooty Lake

Pykara

Rose Garden

St. Stevens Church

Things To Do

Weather

DAY: Fri	LOW: 26	HIGH: 31
DAY: Sat	LOW: 26	HIGH: 30

Map

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