Botanical Gardens
Constructed in 1847, the Government Botanical Garden is the most
popular tourist spot in Ooty. The distinct yet wide spread flora n fauna
includes well over 650 species of plants and the fossil of a tree trunk
believed to be 20 million years old is preserved here. The garden spread
over 22 hectares has lush green lawns, six sections comprising varieties
of tree species, variety of ferns, fashioned beds, an Italian formal
garden, flowering plants, house ferns, orchids and nurseries.
Ooty Lake
John Sullivan, the first collector and virtual founder of Ooty,
constructed a 2.5 kms of artificial Lake in 1824. The artificial lake,
scintillating under the soft rays of sun captivates the tourist with its
un-parallel charm. Pony rides are available along the road lacing of the
lake. There is a charming Lake Garden, a jetty, snack bars and pony and
toy train rides on offer. This lake is today is hyacinth choking up a
major portion. Tourists can visit this mini garden which is on the way
to Boathouse. There is also a Children's amusement park and a snack bar.
Churches Of Ooty
St. Stephen's built in n1829, is the oldest church in the Nilgiris. Its
huge wooden beams came from palace of Tipu Sultans and Cementry contains
the graves of many old-times, both British and Indian. The Kandal Church
actually houses a relic of the True Cross on which Christ was crucified.
Art Gallery
Situated about 2km from Ooty on the Mysore road, the Art Gallery has
various collections of contemporary paintings, items of tribal objects,
district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts and
crafts of Tamilnadu.
Rose Garden
Located less than a km from Charring Cross, the rose garden is laid on
10 acres of land. The garden has a collection of more than 1000
varieties of roses.
Adventure
There are a number of planned trek routes from Ooty . Climb up the
highest peak in the Blue Mountains at 8,606 ft-Dodabetta commands the
juncture of western Ghats, offering unmatched vista of Nilgiris. It is a
much-frequented peak located 10km from Ooty. This highest peak in
Nilgiri Range at an altitude of 2619m gives a grand view of Ooty,
Gundalpet, Coonoor, Wellington and Mysore on clear days. There is a
telescope that gives a closer view of them all. Welnock Downs, the most
popular picnic spots, is a vast expanse of undulating landscape which
used to be grounds for Ooty Hunt; now a great walk along the grassy
knolls and quiet roads.
Festival fling at Ooty
Ooty has number of carnivals all through the year; The Tea and Tourism
fest in January, The Taispoon in the Murugan Temple and the
Bookkapuruman Mariamman fest, both in February. The Ooty Mariamman fest
follows in April and May. Other festivals are Flower Festivals, Dog
Shows and Flower Shows.
Essential Facts
- The nearest airport is at Coimbatore at a distance of 88 kms. The
nearest railway station is at Mettupalayam station and Ooty is a
comfortable drive over the hills from Bangalore or Coimbatore.
- The best time to visit Ooty is in April to June and September to
October.
- Tourist Office: Tamil Nadu Tourist Office, Welnock Road, Ooty
-643001.
By
Type
The
moniker Ooty has had a change of several hands since the Brits ruled the
much traveled roads. From Udghamandalam to Ootacamund to Ooty - the final
halt to the journey of names, the “ Queen Of the Blue Mountains”
Ooty is also called as Scotland of the East. Ooty presented its emblematic
debut to the Brits who fortunately named it Ooty, saving muc time and and
copy space. 
