Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Ooty - the Queen of Hills

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was surely a great connoisseur of destinations who described Ooty 'the Queen of Hill Stations'. The short version of Udagamandalam, Ooty is situated at an altitude of 2240 m which blesses the town with salubrious climate and spectacular beauty. The capital of the Nilgiri district in Tamilnadu, Ooty is one of the most acclaimed holidaying retreats characterized by mountains, dense woods, rolling meadows, aromatic tea gardens and lush green valleys. This quaint hill station caught the attention of the British and remained their summer resort for a long time. The enchanting beauty of this paradisaical territory is unparalleled and draws numerous nature lovers. The annual tea and tourism festival is a major lure for the tourists who throng in here in enormous numbers. Visiting this cool hill station during this festive season is a remarkable experience.

The entire town is a feast to the eyes and you just cannot take your eyes off the panoramic vistas offered by this place. The lake at Ooty is the prime landmark and enriches the exquisiteness of this town. There are several other places of tourist interest in Ooty that should not be missed out. Botanical Gardens made by the Marquis of Tweepdale is located on the downhill slopes of the Dodabetta peak. This charming garden is replete with lily ponds and many curt bushes. A fossil of tree trunk here is a top draw amongst the tourists as it is believed to be 20 million years old.

The St. Stephen's Church is one of the oldest churches in Nilgiri and was built in the year 1829. Some of the other noteworthy attractions in Ooty comprise Government Museum, Ketty Valley View and Doddabetta.

Ooty is also popular for a number of interesting and picture perfect sites that can be explored during the excursions. In your leisure, you can embark on the short excursions and discover some of the unfrequented places of pristine beauty. Some of the important spots you must visit on your excursions are Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagiri, Sim's Park, Dolphin's Nose, Avalanche and Coonoor. Apart from these attractions, Ooty is also recognized for its fairs and festivals when the entire ambiance is filled with joy and excitement. Makar Pongal and Flower Show are the two events besides the renowned tea and tourism festival which is held annually.

Relax and luxuriate in any of your favorite hotels. You choose any Hotels in Ooty to put up in. There are various types of accommodations available in Ooty and include the luxury, heritage, three star and budget categories. The unmatched south Indian hospitality will surely win the heart of even the most discriminating tourists.

Ooty is well linked by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is located in Coimbatore and is well connected to Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore. Mettupalayam is the main railway station on narrow gauge and is connected to Chennai.

Ooty has motorable road network and regular bus services for Ooty are available from Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanya Kumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut and Tirupati.

Choose this captivating hill station for your tour the next time you visit India as it promises to make your tour a rewarding experience.