Nilgiri Hills
General Information
Location: Nilgiri Dist. in Tamilnadu
Altitude: Varies between 2,280 and 2,290 m
Temperature: Temperate Summer: 25°C - 10°C, Winter - 21°C - 5°C
Rainfall: 1,900 mm
STD code: 0423
Best Time: Between January and March
Languages: Tamil, English, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore, which is 98 km away
Introduction Nilgiri
Nilgiris' or 'Blue Mountains' rise to an altitude of 2,280 m to 2,290 m above sea level. Situated at the confluence of the Western and the Eastern Ghats known as the Sahayadri Hills, Nilgiris offers some of the most panoramic views of Deccan India. Some of the most well-known highlights of Nilgiris are Udhagamandalam or Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri, Doddabetta peak, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, 180-ft high Laws Falls, Dolphin's Nose, a unique rock of tremendous proportions jutting out of the face of the hillside, Catherine falls, Kodanad Viewpoint, which offers panoramic view of the plains and the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris, Mukkurthi Peak and National Park and Pykara known for well-protected fenced sholas, Toda settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and a good wildlife habitat along with Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir. To its west lies Kerala while there is Mysore to the north of the hills and Coimbatore covers its east and south. It has been carved as a district known as Nilgiris district with its district headquarters at Udhagamandalam or Ooty.
The highest peak of Nilgiris is Doddabetta, which reaches up to an altitude of 2,623 m above sea level. The beautiful scenery of Nilgiris with steep hills, narrow valleys, rivers and rivulets rushing downhills, fine waterfalls, lush green forests and the pleasant temperate climate make it one of the most desirable hill-tour destination. Along with a number of popular hill resorts and major tea estates in South India, Nilgiris got its name from the misty blue haze that envelops the distant hills and blue-violet 'Kurinji' flowers that bloom to cover the hills like a carpet once every 12 years. A trekker's paradise, Nilgiris have been so planned and landscaped by Nature itself that there are number of treks in all directions that are thrilling, exciting and adventurous all at once. Trekking through Nilgiris is perhaps the best way to come closer to Nature and its blessings.
Tourist Attraction in Nilgiri
The Nilgiri Hills literally means the Blue Mountains, and that it really is. You can see the cascading mountain ranges tinged with blue hue enriching to its exotic charm. As the most popular hill resort of the South, the Nilgiris attract a host of tourists from across the country and abroad.
The regions around the Nilgiris are equally famous for several colorful festivals and fairs. Tea and Tourism Festival organized in Jan-Feb is the perfect time for tea aficionados. The summer festivals have boat races and flower & fruit shows that make the atmosphere electric with excitement. Apart from these lively fests, the chief attractions of the region include the Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, Mukkurthi Peak, the Pykara Dam and sprawling tea plantations.
1. Botanical Garden
You can plan your trip to the Botanical gardens in Ooty, sprawling over 50 acres, the botanical gardens in Ooty are a major tourist attraction. Lying on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak, these gardens were established by Marquis of Tweeddale in the year 1848. Lush greenery and well-manicured lawns with some of the rare tree species make these gardens a joy hunt for nature lovers.
2. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
This 321-sq-km wide sanctuary has a National Park measuring an area of 103-sq-km. The sanctuary has terrain with hills, ravines, watercourses and swamps with rich repository of flora and fauna. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from February to June. You can enjoy elephant safari through this dense and verdant sanctuary. There are also vehicles on hire.
3. The Mukkurthi Peak and National Park
Mukkurthi is a beautiful peak about 40 km from Ooty. There is also The Mukkurthi National Park, which is located on the Southern corner of the Nilgiri Plateau. The Kollaribetta and Nilgiris Peak are other tourist hotspots. The region has quite a few mesmerizing little perennial streams flowing between these peaks. Silent Valley is located on the Western side in the Western Ghat, which is a tourist's delight.
4. Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake is another tourists' major attraction. Shaped in irregular L shaped spreading into 2 km, this artificial lake was constructed in 1824 by Mr. Sullivan. The lake has several boathouses where in you could enjoy the scenery around the lake in leisure. During summers there are boat races and boat pageantries that attract a host of tourists.
5. Doddabetta
As the highest peak in the Nilgiris, Doddabetta (2,623 m) offers beautiful panoramic view of the hill ranges, plateaus and plains around. It is 10-km from Ooty. There is a good motorable road to reach the peak.
6. Dolphin's Nose
About 12 km from Coonoor, Dolphin's Nose is a unique rock of tremendous proportions, protruding from the face of the hillside that resembles the name it has. Adding to its vast panoramic spectacle, it is also home to the picturesque Catherine falls.
7. Pykara
With breathtaking scenery, Pykara lies about 21-km from Ooty. The place has several tourist attractions including well-protected fenced sholas, Toda settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. As a hot tourist spot, the Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir has a boathouse with restaurant and a rest house.
8. Kodanad Viewpoint
Located at a distance of 16-km from Kotagiri, this viewpoint has a hypnotic panoramic view of the plains and the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris.
9. Laws Falls
Laws falls are a beautiful picnic spot, named after Lt. Colonel Law, who traced and mainly constructed the Coonoor Ghat. They are about 5-km below Coonoor on Mettupalayam road. The height of the falls is about 180 feet. There are vast stretches of undisturbed sholas and it is a paradise for naturalists.
Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport to the Nilgiris is in Coimbatore, about 105 km from Ooty. It has daily flights to and from Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum. There are a number of private taxi services and buses plying between the points.
By Rail
Ooty falls on the narrow gauge railway line connected to Mettupalayam (47-km), which directly connects it to Coimbatore and Chennai. The major attraction of the place is the toy train i.e., the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) that connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.
By Road
Ooty is well connected to all the major towns and cities of South India. There are regular bus services connecting Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut, Tirupati and other important destinations in South India. Coonoor and Kotagiri are also well connected by road with the major cities and towns of the state. For local transportation, auto rickshaws and taxis are available.
