Udagamandalam is
also known as Ootacamund, and shortly known as Udhagai and universally known as
Ooty. It is a town and municipality of the south Indian state of Tamilnadu. It
is very much popular hill station in India located at Nilgiris. Ooty is capital
of Nilgiri district.
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Ooty is famous for Chocolates, Varkies and Most renowned for
Tea Plantation. You can get plenty of shops on Commercial Road. Kurinji flower
is also added attraction because which flowers every twelve years once.Firstly,
it was Tribal land and formerly occupied by Toda People, then Ooty came under
East India Company at the 18th century. The first route to Niligiri
from Coimbatore was set in the year 1821 (Shirumugai to Kothagiri). Later in
the year 1832, Coonoor Ghar road was constructed. The economy of Niligiri is
mostly in Tourism & Agriculture. The Nilgiri town was connected by the
Nilgiri Ghat Roads and Nilgiri Mountain Train.
Nearest
City: Coimbatore (90 kms)Nearest Airport:
Coimbatore
Nearest Station: Ooty,
Metupalaiyam Railway Station (45 kms)
Elevation: 2240 m (7350 ft.)
Climate: Summer: 23 Degree Max & 11 Degree Min
Winter: -19 Degree Max & -6 Degree Min
District: The Nilgiris
Population: 88,430
Spots: Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden,
Pine Forest, Doddabetta Peak, Pykara Water Falls, Niligiri Moutain Train
Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake is artificially made lake with natural
surroundings. Lake was built with 65 acres of the massive area. Lake has become
the ground-breaking tourist spot in Ooty. Ooty Lake is famous for Cycling,
Boating, Kids Train, Horse Horse-riding and Taking photographs. Boating is the
major attraction in the Lake throughout the year. Entrance Ticket is 10 rs per
Adult for Ooty Lake. Ooty Lake is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
Boat Rides Price:
• 170rs for 2seater Pedal Boat
• 260rs for 4seater Pedal Boat
• 250rs for 3+1seater Row Boat
• 290rs for 5+1seater Row Boat
• 560rs for 8seater Motor Boat
• 680rs for 10seater Motor Boat
• 990rs for 15seater Motor Boat
For Kids: Cost of Kids Train Ride is 10 rs. There are other
games available such as Dashing car, Car Racing Video Games, Columbus and
Break-dance (Available both for Kids and Adult)
There are a couple of shops available inside the Lake
premises where you can buy Chocolates, Jerkins, Toys, Masks, Hand Bands, and
Eucalyptus oil.
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| Government Botanical Garden - Ooty |
Botanical Garden
It is a garden with wide-ranging of
plants categorized with Botanical names. Botanical Garden, Ooty covered with an
area of 55 hectares. It is preserved by Tamilnadu Horticulture Department. It
was established in the year 1848 under the observation of William Graham
Mclvor. The Garden consists of thousands of plant, herbs, ferns, herbal and
bonsai plants. The Garden is divided into 6 segments which are Lower Garden,
New Garden, Italian Garden, Nursery, Fountain Terrace and Conservatory.
Ooty Flower Show
Flower show in Botanical Garden,
Ooty is very famous and which invites tourist from all over the world. Summer
Festival will take place in the month of May every year. The first Flower show
was started in the year 1896. Best time to visit the Garden is April & May,
September.
The
Fossil tree trunk is displayed in the garden which is over 20 Million years
old. And unusual tree ranges such as Paperbank tree, Cork tree, and Monkey
puzzle tree are available in the garden.
Entrance
Ticket cost 40rs per Adult and 15rs per Children. Use of still Cameras and
Video Cameras are charged.
Doddabetta Peak
The word Doddabetta known as Big
Mountain in Badaga Language. There are 24 peaks in Nilgiris in which Doddabetta
is highest among them. It is 9km away from Ooty, in Ooty-Kotagiri Road in
Niligiris Mountain. It is the third highest peak in South India following to
Anaimalai (Munnar), Meesapulimala (Idukki District). The best time to visit
Doddabetta peak is early morning and late evening.
A major percentage of Mountain is
covered by Sholas. Sholas are a high altitude evergreen forest found in South
India. The term Shola is obtained from the Tamil word Cholai.
Telescopic
point is available to witness the scenic beauty. Avoid going in the weekend coz
lots of tourist will gather at Doddabetta peak which makes plenty of traffic,
and parking your vehicles will be difficult which takes more of your precious
time. Entry ticket for Adult is around 6rs for Adult and No tickets for
Children (if I am not wrong)
Pykara Waterfalls
It is originated from Pykara River
from Mukurthi Peak. It is 22kms away from Ooty in the Ooty-Mysore Road. Pykara
Falls is the 2kms distance from Pykara Dam. It is shaped by Pykara River which
is situated in the direction in which a river flows of the Pykara Dam. There
are two waterfalls which fall from the height of 55 and 61 meters respectively.
The best time to visit the falls is in the month of July.
Pykara Lake
Backwaters have formed the mammoth
lake due to the construction of Pykara Dam. It became a major tourist
attraction place in Ooty. Pykara Lake area is surrounded by Sholas
Forest. Boating is available in Pykara Lake. The speed boat ride is
one of best over there.
Boat Ride Price:
• 750rs for 8seater Motor Boat (20 min)
• 870rs for 10seater Motor Boat (20 min)
• 1210rs for 15seater Motor Boat (20 min)
• 785rs for 2seater Speed Boat (10 min)
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The Nilgiri Mountain Train
The Nilgiri Mountain Train is a
1000mm metre gauge railway which was built by British in 1908. The train is
operated by Southern Railway and it is only Rack Railway present in India.
In
2005 July, UNESCO accredited the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The railway used
Coal-fired locomotives which have been replaced with Oil fired steam engines.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is 46
kilometers long and it passes over hundreds of bridges and many large tunnels.
The ride starts from Mettupalayam, and the total distance covered from
Mettupalayam to Ooty is 45kms. In which 8kms from Mettupalayam is Plain area
and the rest drives the coaches upwards to a hill. The train covering area are
Mettupalayam, Kellar, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale, and Ooty.
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| Nilgiri Mountain Train |
Timing
of Nilgiri Mountain Train:
Mettupalayam – Ooty Passenger (56136)
Departure at 7:10 AM | Arrival at 12:00 PM
Ooty – Mettupalayam Passenger (56137)
Departure at 14:00 PM | Arrival at 17:35 PM
Ticket Cost: Nilgiri
Mountain Train offers First class, Second Class and Unreserved Category. It
cost 205rs, 30rs, and 15rs respectively. Travel time would take around 6hours
of the journey.
