Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Ooty is a very popular hill station surrounded by cascading waterfalls and captivating gardens and located in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, in southern India. The Tourists are greeted by miles of expanses of lofty mountains and stretches of tea gardens on their ride by the Toy Train. The Toy train ride is one of the most satisfying experiences passengers take home. The journey up and down the slopes offer the most spectacular views of dense mountain forests, the misty lakes, little birds chirping and the frolicking sunlight following them. It was started in 1899 and became very popular over the years and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2005 by the UNESCO. The Ooty Lake covers an area of 65 acres enveloped by Eucalyptus trees and filled with exotic birds which leave tourists out of breath and is every photographer’s delight.
The small town of Ooty has a lot to offer visitors from the all-encompassing Doddabetta Peak to the breathtaking Catherine falls. The Fernhill Palace of the Mysore Maharaja, The Stone House, the first bungalow in Ooty and the St. Stephen’s Church all take tourists back in time to India’s colonial past with their architectural grandeur. Orchids, ferns, pine and rose gardens enthral travellers with the natural scenic beauty of Ooty and provide an atmosphere of tranquillity.
The occasional festivals and ceremonies in the town showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ooty. The summer festival arranged in May each year arranges cultural programmes, boat races and flower shows. The Tea and Tourism festival is also organised annually to showcase the varieties of teas grown in the tea estates of Ooty and for trading them.
Best Time to Visit
March to May