Ooty, the queen of the southern hill station is poplular as Ootacamund or Udhamgamamdalam.The unique landscape was discovered by the British collector in pre independence India and later developed as a summer resort for the South Indian peoples. Enclosed in the lap of nature engulfed by four hills by the name of Doddabetta, Snowdon resort, Elk hill and club hill it forms a part of the Nilgiri range. Ooty lies at the confluence of the western and the eastern ghats, the colonial rulers or the British gave the name Ooty to the place.


The tiny hill station is ruled by the Hoysales in the early periods. One of the great rulers among them is the Vishnu Vardhanawho ruled this land around 12th century. Much earlier, the place was inhabitated by the local tribes called Todas. Ooty was brought under the control of the British East India Company with the treaty signed with Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam in the year 1799. Today Ooty is seen all coloured with green by the plenty of tea estates that has become its pride of late.


Major Attractions
» Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden established in the year 1848 and maintained by the Horticultural Department of the Goverment of India preserves a wide variety of plants including the Japanese species.

A variety of imported shrubs, flowering plants, eucalyptus trees along with a fossilised tree trunk of 20 years or so is its prime attractions. In summer’s is held the grand floral festival where flowers are shown to the interesting visitors.

» Ooty Lake
The 2.5 km long Ooty lake was constructed in the year 1825. There is plenty of oppurtunity for the visitors to have fun through boating and fishing. There is also a race course located nearby for the peoples with adventurous nature.

» Dodabetta Peak
The Dodabetta Peak is at a height of 2,623 meters is the highest point of the district. The Dodabetta Peak situated at a distance of 10 kms from the Ooty town is one of the major location from where the whole city is clearly visible. All round the year the top of the peak remains covered with mist.

» Kodanadu View Point
Located on the eastern edges of the Nilgiris at about 16 kms from Ooty, the View Point offers a panoramic sight of the lush green vast areas of tea estates and the Moyar river flowing freely .There is a watch tower from where one can view the Rangaswami peak and the pillars.
» Kalhatty Waterfalls
The Kalkatti waterfalls are located at a distance of 13 kms from Ooty and fall from an altitude of 100 feets. There can also be found rare wild species that lives in the Kalhatty-Masinagudi slopes. The wild species includes the panther,bison,buffaloes and the wild dogs. Different types of birds can be spotted on the fall area.


Nearby Attractions
» Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
The Wildlife Sanctuary at a distance of 67 kms from Ooty is part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve. The sanctuary forms a important natural collaboration along with Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and the Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala The important species found in the sanctuary are bonnet macaque and common langur. Tigers and leopards sometimes seen her . Other common wild life are giant squirrels, flying squirrels, elephants, gaurs, sambhar, chital and barking deer. There is an Elephant camp known as Theppakkadu inside the sanctuary.


Shopping
Ooty is well known for its oil honey, cinchona products, quality tea and coffee. Along with other things the silver and tribal shawls are also popular. These materials can be found in the Municipal market as well in the Super market.


Accommodation
Ooty still does not have deluxe star hotel . But with the passing of times many tourists have made this place a wonderful destination for travel and so the importance is given on opening of more hotels. Some of the well maintained places to stay are the 3 star fortune resort Sullivan court hotel, the holiday inn green park hotel and the hotel Sinclair.


How to Reach
» By Air
Coimbatore is the nearest airport to Ooty at a distance of 88 kms. Major Airlines has flights to Coimbatore from Bangalore, Cochin and Chennai.

» By Rail
Ooty Railway Station is 2 km from city center and the other railway station is at Mettupalayam, 46 km away. The toy train is a major attraction which connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor between the Nilgiri hills.

» By Road
Regular buses are available fron Ooty to other major destinations in and around the hill station. The state transport runs frequent services to Coimbatore,Bangalore and Chennai.