ABOUT OOTY

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ABOUT OOTY

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam.
ooty is the "Queen of hill stations" 
and the capital of Nilgiris district.
It is one of the most popular tourist
resorts in India. Nilgiris means 
"Blue Mountains". It is a land of 
picturesque picnic spots. Used to be 
popular summer and weekend getaway for
the Britishers during the colonial days.
It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 
meters above sea level.An added attraction
for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the 
mountain train journey on a ratchet and 
pinion track which commences from Kallar,
near Mettupalayam and wends its way through
many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels
and chugs along beside deep ravines full of 
verdant vegetation,gurgling streams and tea 
gardens.    
This beautiful botanical paradise was first 
brought to the public eye by John Sullivan, 
Collector of Coimbatore district in 1819. 
But prior to this in 1812, the first Englishmen 
who were sent up the Nilgris by the Collector 
of Coimbatore, were Mr.Keys,Assistant Revenue 
Surveyor,and his Assistant,McMahon. They made 
their way via Dananayakan Kottai to Aracad and
the existing village of Denad, and penetrated 
as far as Kallatti, the lower level of North 
Ooty, but never set their eyes on the beautiful
valley in which Ooty lay.After Keys'visit there
was no further expedition until 1818 when J.C.
Whish and N.W.Kindersly (Asst. and second Asst. 
to the Collector of Coimbatore respectively) 
went up by the Dananayakan Kottai-Denad route,
crossed the plateau in a south-western direction
and descended by the Sundapatti pass from 
Manjakombai to the Bhavani valley and then went 
back to Coimbatore. The purpose of their visit is 
not known. 

Ooty Lake & Boat House

From just behind the central Bus Stand (also near the Railway station) 
the famous Ooty Lake stretches, in an irregular 'L' shape, for about 
2.75 kms in length and varying distances in width(100m – 140m). For 
the curious, this lake was artificially formed by John Sullivan, the 
founder of Ooty, in 1823-25 by damming the mountain streams flowing 
down Ooty valley.The lake which breached thrice,completely emptying 
itself, originally extended up to the present day market and ferries 
were used to get across one side to the other. The lake gradually 
shrunk in size giving place to the present racecourse, the bus stand 
and mini garden.At the far end is the Boat House, where all kinds of 
boats are available for hire from eight in the morning to six in the 
evening. Surrounded by lofty eucalyptus trees and shrubs the lake is 
a scenic delight to ones from the concrete jungles. During summer 
seasons, in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organized for two 
days at the lake which draws huge crowd. In recent years the lake and 
the boat house have become the hub of entertainment for the visitors.
At the boat house end, there is children's park with a toy train. A 
deer part is located in the adjacent area. Just outside the Boat house 
local ponies are available for jolly rides at a charge

Doddabetta Peak:

The Doddabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It is the 
highest point in the district, making it possibly the best vantage point 
around Ooty. It is merely 10kms from Ooty so you can simply grab your 
camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of the 
valley below. On a clear day, which is honestly not that often, one can 
see far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands 
of Mysore.The Doddabetta Peak is said to be one of the highest peak in 
south India & famous tourist spot in India. Ooty is undisputedly one of 
the best hill stations of South India and anyone who visits it is so co
mpletely charmed by its beauty that he cherishes the desire to visit it 
over and over again.

Rose Garden(Centenary Rose Park):

Centenary Rose Park is situated in the heart of Ooty town and it is located 
less than a km from Charring Cross at Vijayanagaram, the rose garden is laid 
on 10 acres of land. This garden has been beautifully laid out in terraces 
with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers with rose creepers.Today this garden 
has the largest collections of roses in the country, around 3600 varieties of 
roses like Hybrid Tea Roses, miniature rose, Floribunda, Ramblers, roses of 
unusual colors like black, green and many more varieties of roses that will 
captivate your senses.

Emerald Lake:
 
Located at a distance of 25 km from ooty. A place that should not be missed. 
Emerald lake is a wonderful lake in the upper plateau region of the Nilgiri 
hills. It is a part of the silent valley and is beside the Red hill nature 
resort which is a best picnic place of the region. The site of the lake is 
wonderful and one would definitely love being at that place. The chirping 
birds and ducks and other swimming creatures add beauty to the place and the
sun set and sun rise is also spectacular here.

Shooting Spot:

Just 6miles from the Ooty city you can reach this spot. Its green & lengthy 
shooting spot which is surrounded by forest. You can see this spot in most 
of Indian movies.

Top Tourist Places in Ooty recommended by travellers

1. Nilgiri Mountain Railway

2. Raj Bhawan

3. Pykara Lake

4. Ooty Lake

5. Ooty Botanical Gardens

6. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

7. Rose Garden

8. Botanical Garden

9. Elk Hill

10. Government Museum