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Destination of the Fortnight

Ooty...

Ooty,the "Queen of hill stations" is the  capital of Nilgiri district. It is one of the Best tourist resorts and is called as "Blue Mountains". It is a land of dreams and a picturesque hill station.

Introduction:

Bordering the Karanataka and Kerala states, the Nilgiris or blue mountains, is a veritable fairyland. It has hill stations at various altitudes. There are cloud-kissed peaks, dense (not so dense now, thanks to man and industries) forests, rushing streams, undulating emerald green plains, breath-taking views of heights and hills and of sudden drops, valleys and glades.
In extent it is unique for its elevation, natural beauty and tourist spots. Niligiris tableland comprises of several types of scenery and the long range of green hills (locally called 'downs').
    
Ooty is the only hill station in india which attracts visitors during all seasons. It has built up a fame as the `all-seasons -hill resort' and the `queen of hill stations'. Over 2,300 metres above sea-level, her moods change with every season, but each of her moods is hospitable to the visitor. The summer temperature varies between 10� c and 25� c, and the winter temperature between 0�c and 21�c. The average annual rainfall is 121 cms. If you find unable to bear the cold of Ooty, you can switch off to milder climates within half an hour by driving to Coonoor in the south east or to Kotagiri in the north east.
 
Nestling among the hills at a point where the Eastern Ghats meets the Western Ghats, the district headquarter town of Uthagamandalam sprawls along a beautiful plateau. The Eastern Ghats are mighty and attractive while the Western ghats have wooded loveliness. Nature unfolds itself in and around Ooty in a myriad of profiles, each one with a distinctive grandeur and individuality.
 
To this natural charm, several attractions compel the tourist to stay on for extended periods with comfort. The first British came to Ooty in 1812. He was followed by a few hundred European missionaries, educationist and civil servants. Finally, the hill stations attracted many Europeans so much so that it became the summer capital of the then vast Madras presidency, or the present Tamil nadu State, which consisted of 75% of what we call South India today. Soon, Indian princes or Maharajas (who were the ruler of various areas and territories throughout India and industrialists built their palaces and mansions. Some of these stately buildings have now been converted into hotels (e.g. Tamilagam Palace, Savoy).
 
Ooty's main industry is oil extraction particularly from the eucalyptus trees introduced during the 19th century, and also from lemon grass, geranium, clove and camphor.

Place to see...

Botanical Garden...
Ootacamund Lake...
St. Stephen's church...
Kundal Mund...
Dodda Betta...

Approach

Ooty can only be reached by road and is 5 hours drive from Mysore. Owing to high altitudes and forest cover there is no rail connection to Ooty.Government buses operate frequently between Mysore and Ooty. There is lots of Travel and tour agencies that offer one-day tour packages to Ooty and back.

Best Season

Preferably summer season is the best time to visit. However, this Hill station has inviting ambience from (flower show month) May to November.

How to Reach there

State transport buses operate frequently from Mysore. For comfort travelling buses and taxis can be booked through travel agencies.

Distance

Ooty is 160 Kms to the South of Mysore in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.

 

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