Welcome to the Nilgiris!!

Everyone talks about scenic locations outside India or the Himalayas within India.

This section talks about a beautiful place down in South India known as Ootacamund.

Ootacamund or Udagamandalam (the Tamil version of the original name) rightly described as "Queen of Hill Stations" by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, now sprawls over an area of 36 sq km with a number of tall buildings cluttering its hill slopes.

It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. Though the march of brick and mortar has laid waste its thick sholas which one saw in a bygone era, it still woos people from all over India as well as foreign countries right through summer, and sometimes in the winter months too.

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.

The scenery, as it unfolds during the trip, is breathtaking, awe-inspiring and fantastic. One can notice a marvelous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. At Kallar it is tropical and at Burliar-the next bus-stop as one proceeds from Mettupalayam-it is sub-tropical. Near Coonoor, it is humid with pines, blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and cypress trees.

This beautiful botanical paradise was first brought to the public eye by John Sullivan, Collector of Coimbatore district in 1819. From John Sullivan's days to this date, more than 170 years have rolled by. Udagamandalam considered a sanatorium and hill resort by the Europeans, has come to be like any other district.

The Blue Mountain – The Nilgiris

We have two legends of the Nilgiri region also being called the “Blue Mountain”.

The Nilgiris, which literally means the blue mountains, got its name from the purplish blue flowers of Neelakurinji that blossoms gregariously once in 12 years is the first legend.

While when one travels on the road to Ooty is surrounded by a green carpet of tea plantations while above stands the eucalyptus trees which are scattered among the rocky outcrops. From the blue mist given off by the eucalyptus the Nilgiris are said to get their nickname: the Blue Hills.

One would remember that Eucalyptus oil is considered as beneficial for asthmatic patients.

Inhabitants of Ooty

The Nilgiris range which is the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats, was christened Neelagiri by its inhabitants 850 years ago, because of the blue haze of the clouds enveloping its slopes. Originally, it was inhabited by Todas, Irulas, Kurumbas, Panias and Badagas. Of these, the Todas, who are vegetarians, tall and fair, have dwindled in number. The Badagas, who speak a mixture of Kannada and Tamil, are said to have migrated from Mysore400 years ago. The Panias and Irulas are confined to Mudumalai sanctuary. Though the Badagas were essentially agriculturists, they are socially, educationally and even economically advanced now. Even the Todas have taken to Government service. The present population of Ooty is 78,277 and comprises of Todas, Badagas, Tamils, Keralites and Mysoreans.

The water supply for the city is from Parson's Valley. In order to augment its revenue, the Ooty municipality has been permitted to levy a toll fee on all vehicles entering the Nilgiris from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This ranges from Rs 5 to Rs 20. This, along with parking fees levied at the Botanical Garden, the boat-house and Doddabetta adds up to quite a sum. Tourists flock to Ooty during the annual flower show, boat races and boat pageantry in May and for participating in horse races during the week-ends of the season

Economically speaking, Ooty can sustain itself with income from potato and other hill vegetables and tea. With the spurt in tea prices in the world market in the 80's, tea has usurped the place of potato. As the slopes have been devoted to tea, vegetables have come to be cultivated in low-lying areas and swamps. As the demand for agricultural and horticultural crops is bound to increase in the years to come, steps should be taken to rejuvenate agriculture and horticulture. Horticulture here comes under a Joint Director of Horticulture. Since cut flowers are in great demand in foreign countries, floriculture should find a prominent place in schemes to augment the income of cultivators.

Places of Interest in and around Ooty

The places of tourist importance in Ooty are the Avalanche, the Western Catchment, the Government Botanical Garden, St Stephen's Church, Elk Hill, Doddabetta (2,592 meters above sea level), Snowden peak on the Kotagiri road that commands a view of Mysore, the lake (formed in 1824 by Sullivan) and the boat-house, Wenlock Downs, Parson's Valley, Kalhatty Falls and Glenmorgan.

The oldest church St Stephens Church is definitely worth visiting. It has some interesting architecture to be seen and appreciated by one and all. The Mudhumalai sanctuary lies at a distance of 36 km from Ooty. Of these, Avalanche located at a distance of 28 km from Ooty is a nature lover's paradise. It is a lake surrounded by thick sholas which abound in avi-fauna.

The Western Catchment is about 20 km from Parson's Valley, and it is a rolling grassy down, interspersed with temperate sholas in valleys and depressions. Glenmorgan lies about 17 km from Ooty and there is a winch of the Electricity Board to transport staff to the Singara power house. As the wind glides along the slopes, the sight of thick sholas unravels itself. The Kundah hydroelectric project executed in 1956, is also worth a visit.

For long, Bollywood’s favorite outdoor shoot location was Ooty. ‘Just Married’ starring Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol had the entire movie shot in the Nilgiri region of Ooty & Coonoor, especially the Pykara Lake. If anyone remembers the famous kiss between Karisma Kapoor and Aamir Khan in Raja Hindustani, that is Ninth Mile where the clouds come down to meet the mountains.

Coming to the specialties, Ooty being a tea county, Nilgiri tea is very famous warranting a visit to the Tea Factory and Museum wherein they show the process of tea as well as sampling of the different teas made in this part of the region. A must visit for all tea lovers! One can even take their favorite tea packet back home.

Every year the Botanical Gardens have a Flower Show open for the public which has all kinds of flower arrangements displayed to be seen. This flower show is usually held in the month of May which is peak season for the visitors at Ooty, and booking needs to be made well in advance staring right in the months of January and February for a stay in the good hotels at Ooty. The flower show is once again a must see for all the flower enthusiasts.

Home made chocolates are one of a kind available round the corner 365 days a year available at Ooty.

Thus, to conclude Ooty is a truly fantastic place with fresh cool air to breathe – much needed in today’s world!!!