This is my last and third consecutive post to tackle the weary summer heat of the month of May with an amalgamation of barbaric heat waves, which is driving everyone crazy.
I looked forward to a much-awaited vacation on the hills which brings pure joy from nowhere just like a child's smile does to everyone.
Dive in with me to experience the chilly thrill of Ootacamund popularly known as Ooty.
It is a well known and a popular hill station of Tamil Nadu. Nestled in the lap of the Nilgiri Hills- 'The Queen of Hills' is fringed by the treasures of nature.
On the way to Nilgiri hills, you come across the Neelakurinji flowers. These flowers are also the reason behind the name Nilgiri. They bloom once in twelve years and the locals used to keep account of their ages through these purplish-blue flowers.
When these flowers bloom they turn the whole landscape into a shimmering blue blanket which words can't describe.
I looked forward to a much-awaited vacation on the hills which brings pure joy from nowhere just like a child's smile does to everyone.
Dive in with me to experience the chilly thrill of Ootacamund popularly known as Ooty.
It is a well known and a popular hill station of Tamil Nadu. Nestled in the lap of the Nilgiri Hills- 'The Queen of Hills' is fringed by the treasures of nature.
On the way to Nilgiri hills, you come across the Neelakurinji flowers. These flowers are also the reason behind the name Nilgiri. They bloom once in twelve years and the locals used to keep account of their ages through these purplish-blue flowers.
When these flowers bloom they turn the whole landscape into a shimmering blue blanket which words can't describe.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of Ooty is a combination of a fragrant soothing sight of nature enriched with colours that only mother nature herself can create.
Its foundation was laid in 1848 on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak. It covers an area of 55 hectares.
The garden has a terraced layout. The garden is beautifully landscaped and divided into several sections- Lower Garden, New Garden, Nursery and Conservatory.
Its foundation was laid in 1848 on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak. It covers an area of 55 hectares.
The garden has a terraced layout. The garden is beautifully landscaped and divided into several sections- Lower Garden, New Garden, Nursery and Conservatory.
This Government Botanical garden is in Udhagamandalam. The garden is maintained by Tamil Nadu Horticulture department. The architect and designer of this garden was William Graham Micvan.
The garden houses more than 1000 exotic species of plants, shrubs, trees, herbs, ferns and bonsai plants ranging from rare species of trees like paperbark tree, fossil tree and cork tree to common roses
In the centre of the garden lies a fossilized trunk which is estimated to be 20 million years old.
Toda Hut
On the top of the garden is Toda tribe settlement which gives insight into the lives of Toda tribe.
A glimpse of botanical garden
In the month of May, a flower show is organised for two days. A major attraction of the show is the spectacular flower arrangements, vegetable carvings, flower decoration, and flower rangoli.
Ooty Rose Garden
Situated on the slopes of Elk hills in Vijayanagar in an area of 4 hectares. At an altitude of 2200 metres, Ooty rose garden was formerly known as Jayalalitha rose garden.
Here one can see almost all colours and varieties of rose from hybrid, Japanese to Indian.
Thread Garden
It is the astounding addition of Ooty garden. The whole garden is made up of thread.
Antony Joseph is the amazing man behind the creation of this distinctive wonder. It is an outcome of the dedicated work of 12 years by 50 skillful artisans. Almost about 6 Crore metres of thread was used to make more than 150 varieties of artificial marvels of thread in the forms of stems, flowers and leaves.
These visual exhibits are hand made and no machinery or needles were used.
This wonder of handicraft is a part of the Guinness Book of World Records.
Nilgiri mountain Toy Train
Nilgiri mountain Toy train ride is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key attraction in Ooty. Built by the British in the year 1899, It is the steepest track in Asia. It covers a distance of 46 kilometers crawling its way through stunning landscapes, dense forests, flowing rivers and dark tunnels.
The ride commences from Mettupalayam and covering its majestic route reaches Ooty after five hours.
The ride commences from Mettupalayam and covering its majestic route reaches Ooty after five hours.
Ooty Lake
One of the most famous tourist spot. It offers various boat rides. It is an artificially constructed water reservoir. Boat races are organized as a part of the summer festival in Ooty. It is one of the most beautiful lake you will come across in South India.
Local shops near the lake sell shawls, eucalyptus oil and souvenirs
Doddabetta Peak
Telescopic tower
Nine kilometres away from Ooty on the Coonoor road resides the highest peak of the Nilgiri hills. It is a must to visit destination which is accessible by road to the summit.
Atop the hill is a telescopic tower which offers a grand sight of the Bandipur National Park and if you are lucky you may spot an animal or two.
It is screened with dense forests of Rhododendron and Eucalyptus trees.
St Stephen's Church
It is the oldest Church in Nilgiri district. It is on the way to Mysore It dates back to the 19th century.
The Church was built from wooden beams from Tipu Sultan's Palace in Mysore. The fabulous pale yellow structure is built in a Gothic style of architecture.
In the Church are stunning stained glass windows depicting Christ's crucifixion and a scene of the Last Supper along with a myriad of different biblical scenes.
On Sundays, the place is swarmed with locals and tourists and we were lucky enough to be a part of the morning sermon.
Emerald Lake
20-25 kilometers from Ooty, city centre lies the Emerald lake. Emeralds lake acquires its name from the reflection of green mountains that surrounds it.
A refreshing serene place to hang out. You can camp or have a picnic here.
Tea Plantation and Factory
Owing to the tea farms on the hillside I refer to Ooty as a tea country. Several tea estates are sprawled all over the countryside.
The Doddabetta tea factory offers visitors and tourists an all-round tea making process which consists of withering, rolling, drying and shifting of fresh green tea leaves. They even furnish visitors with a cup of freshly brewed tea.
It's one of kind experience to have aromatic Nilgiri tea amidst the tea farm. You can buy tea leaves back home to remind you of your visit to Ooty. Tea is available in packages of 200 gms to 1kg.
There are small shops outside the tea factory which sells tea, essentials oils, local spices and souvenirs to be taken.
Chocolates
One cannot resist a sinful attempt to indulge in homemade chocolates. The chocolates are enriched with nuts, raisins, and also available in their exotic white and dark traditional flavours.
They are sold by weight. Adult or child, it is hard to hold back yourself of not buying and having a Divine bite.
Varkey
Varkey is Ooty's special confectionary made up of wheat, butter and sugar. Available at bakery shops. You can relish it with a cup of Nilgiri tea.
After a cup of tea and Varkey, we headed towards the other attractions like Wax Museum, Honey and Bee Museum, Avalanche Lake, Kalhatti Falls.
Ooty offers pleasant weather throughout the year and whenever you can sneak out time just pack your bags with light woolens and head off of to this amazing destination.
The natural beauty allows one to align with their inner being. It helps to recognise the absolute joy, absolute satisfaction and absolute relaxation.
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