Niligiri Hill Stations - India

Nilgiris- The Blue Mountains The word Nilgiri stands for "Blue Mountains". The entire area of the Blue Mountains constitutes the present district of Nilgiri. There are numerous mountain peaks in the belt whose height vary between 2,280 and 2,290 metres. Doddabetta,with its height of 2,623 metres is the highest of all.

Nestled amidst serene setting,Nilgiris carries a charm that is unique and provides a real treat to eyes. Steep hills,narrow valleys,numerous rivers and rivulets,fine waterfalls,green landscape,sky touching trees,varied flora,cool air; this is nutshell what one can find in Nilgri. The temperate and most equable climate further heightens the attractiveness of the place. The major tea growing areas in the South are the Nilgiris and these tea gardens are beautiful to watch.

Hill Stations In The Nilgiri Hills
Ooty ( Udhagamandalam ) Udhagamandalam (Ooty),the headquarters of Nilgiri district,is popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations' among the tourist circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 kilometres away from Coimbatore. The Botanical Gardens and the Doddabetta peak (the highest peak in the Nilgiris,located 10-km from Ooty) are the major attractions.
Kotagiri Kotagiri is located 16-km away from Ooty and it is the oldest hill station of the Nilgiris. Kotagiri is situated at an altitude of 1,950m,which was once a British hill resort,that dates back to 1819 and is quieter than Ooty. Elk falls,Kodanad viewpoint and Catherine falls are a few places to visit.
Coonoor Coonoor is situated on the eastern side of the southern extremity of the Doddabetta range,at an altitude of 1,858 metres above the sea level. It is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. Coonoor is located 19-km away from Ooty and is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.

Attractions:

• Botanical Garden
  Botanical gardens are a major tourist attraction for those who visit Ooty. They sprawl over 50-acres and lie on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak,which is the highest point in Ooty. Marquis of Tweeddale established these gardens in the year 1848.
• Ooty Lake
  An artificial lake constructed in 1824 by Mr. Sullivan. The lake garden is an added attraction.
• Doddabetta
  niligiri-hills Doddabetta is the highest peak (2,623 mts.) in the Nilgiris and offers beautiful vistas of the hill ranges,plateaus and plains around. It is 10-km from Ooty. There is a good motorable road to reach the peak.
• Dolphin's Nose
  Dolphin's Nose is about 12-km from Coonoor. The Nose is unique rock of tremendous proportions,jutting out of the face of the hillside in formation in which its name suggests. It exposes a vast panorama,which encompasses Catherine falls.
• Pykara
  Pykara is situated about 21-km from Ooty. Some of the tourist attractions of this place are well-protected fenced sholas,Toda settlements,undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam,Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boathouse with restaurant and a rest house are available at Pykara.
• The Mukkurthi Peak and National Park
  About 40-km from Ooty there is a beautiful peak called "Mukkurthi". The Mukkurthi National Park is located on the Southern corner of the Nilgiri Plateau. The Kollaribetta and Nilgiris Peak are other major peaks around. A number of little perennial streams flow between these peaks,which fall into Bhavani Puzha. Silent Valley is located on the Western side in the Western Ghat,which is a feast to the visitor's eye.
• Kodanad Viewpoint
  Kodanad Viewpoint located at a distance of 16-km from Kotagiri commands a panoramic view of the plains and the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris.
• 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.

Fair & Festival in Nilgiri Hills
Tea And Tourism Festival

The Department of Tourism,Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Tourism,Government of India,jointly celebrate the annual Tea and Tourism Festival during the months of January-February in the Nilgiris. The festival is held for 3 days. Varieties of tea are on display. Visitors can also taste and select from the wide varieties of tea available.

Summer Festival There are several beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. With the Summer Festivals,the hills are even hospitable to welcome the visitors. The summer festival is held in the 'Queen of Hill Stations',the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikanal and the salubrious heights of Yercaud - where boat races,flower and fruit shows are specially organized.

Travel Information:

• By Air: Coimbatore,105-km from Ooty,is the nearest airport. It has daily flights to and from Chennai,Bangalore,Cochin and Trivandrum.
• By Rail:Ooty is on the narrow gauge railway connected to Mettupalayam (47-km),which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai. The famous toy train connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.
• By Road: A good network of roads and national highways connect Ooty with all major towns and cities. There are regular bus services to and from Coimbatore,Trichy, Bangalore,Madurai,Kanyakumari,Mysore,Palghat,Calicut,Tirupati and other important destinations in South India. Ooty is also well connected with major cities of Kerala and Karnataka.