Introduction

Udhagamandalam is abbreviated as Udhagai, is a city, a municipality and the capital of the Nilgiri district in South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is also called as Ootacamund. But everywhere it is known as Ooty. In the local language of Tamil, the literary meaning of Ootaca is Otta-Cal, which means `single stone` and the name Udhagamandalam is derived from the Toda word `Othakal-mund`, which means `House of mountains`.

History

Ooty or Udhagamandalam rightly described as "Queen of Hill Stations". In ancient times the Nilgiri hills were part of Chera Empire, later on it fell into the hand of Ganga and then came under Hoysala dynasty in 12th century. Before coming in the hands of British in 18th century, it was ruled by Tipu Sultan under the Kingdom of Mysore.

John Sullivan, the British governor of the neighbouring Coimbatore province, liked the climate of Udhagamandalam and occupied it by taking lands from the native tribes (Toda, Irumba and Badaga). British citizens bought many square kilometers in a day for the price of few meals to these tribes.

The Hills were developed rapidly under British Raj, because British citizens had owned almost the entire place. Ooty was served as the summer capital of Madras presidency.

Geography

Ooty has covered the area of 36 sq. km. With a number of small hills and rolling hills covered with dense vegetation. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. Maximum temperature is 24.3°C and minimum temperature is 4.8°C. The climate of Ooty is salubrious. Annual rainfall of this district is 991mm.

Economics

Wetlands of Nilgiri areas are highly productive and cradles of biological diversity lands. Except the main corps like Paddy and Sorghum, it also produces, tea, areca, coffee, pepper, tapioca and cardamom. Tea estates, hotels and shops in the various visiting places are the main livelihood sources of Ooty people.

Government and Politics

A collector, who is belonging to an officer of Indian Administrative Service, is the head of the Udhamandalam. He is assisted by one Deputy Collector .

The Superintendent of police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service, is responsible for maintaining the law and order and related issues in the district.

Monuments Of Udhagamandalam

Most of the monuments of Udhagamandalam or Ooty are typically English in architectural style and purpose of construction. It is a popular hill station located in Tamil Nadu. It lies in the Nilgiri Hills at a height of 7,440 feet. John Sullivan, the local collector, built the first house in Ooty in 1823.It went on to become the summer headquarters of the Government from 1861 onwards. The arrival of the miniature railway from Mettupalayam in the late 19th century improved access from Chennai enormously and Ooty rapidly became a popular sanatorium and retreat for invalids.

The town is spread around a large artificial lake and entirely surrounded by hills. To the east is the highest, Dodabetta; to the south-east is Elk Hill; to the south of the lake is Chinna Dodabetta; in the west are Cairn Hill and St Stephen`s Church Hill and to the north lie Snowdon and Club Hill. Since it was discovered and mostly inhabited by the Colonial Englishmen, most of the construction is also English in make. The houses are reached by narrow, winding English lanes bordered by imported English shrubs and flowers, and plantations of eucalyptus.

Religious Monuments in Udhagamandalam or Ooty
The St Stephen`s Church was built in 1830.It was designed by Captain John James Underwood and consecrated by the Bishop of Calcutta. The Church is built in Gothic style and has a low tower and crenellated parapets in cream stucco. The teak timbers were taken from Tipu Sultan`s Palace at Seringapatnam (Lai Bagli) and reused in the construction of the church. The columns inside are actually teak, but they have been plastered to resemble stone. There is a large protruding porte-cochere. Later additions were made in the form of the pews, 1842, and the clock bell, 1851.Some interesting brasses and memorial tablets are also to be found inside. Behind the Church is a cemetery, crowded with tombs, which are spread back up the hill in great profusion.

Regency Gothick Union Church (1896) is passed; stylistically, it is sixty years out of date.

Historical Monuments in Udhagamandalam or Ooty
The first house built in Ooty by John Sullivan in 1823, Stonehouse, is still existent here although in a much altered form. There is a lovely garden here full of beautiful herbs of a remarkable size. The house is now embedded in a building used by the Government Arts College.

Other houses of note are The Cedars, used by the Resident at Hyderabad, Crewe Hall (1830-31), Lushington Hall (1827-8) and Elk Hill House, built by George Norton for his own use in 1836.

A red brick range with corrugated iron roofs contains the Law Courts. It was built in 1873 in eccentric Gothic style and is also fitted with a needle top and spire. Though it was originally built as Breek`s memorial school, it became the Civil Court in 1899.

Close to it is the Nilgiri library. It was designed by Robert Fellows Chisolm in 1855.It has a lofty Reading room lit by the light streami8ng in through five arched windows. There is also a tall Gothic window at the far end. The fa‡ade is made of red bricks with stucco dressings.

The club is a long, low, single-storey range building with a pedimented Ionic centerpiece. It was built in 1831 as a hotel for the financier Sir William Rumbold under the supervision of his butler, Felix Joachim, who later went on to run the hotel. In 1843 the house was taken over by the Club. The interior is a perfect memorial to the days of the Raj, with animal trophies, tiger skins, old military and hunting prints and club furniture, all maintained beautifully. In 1875 Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain perfected the game of snooker here.

Government House (1880) in Udhagamandalam is approached through the Botanical Gardens, which lie at the foot of Dodabetta Hills in a remarkable array of fascinating species of flora. A half-timbered Arts and Crafts lodge marks the entrance to the estate. The house is in an Italianate style and was built for the Duke of Buckingham. The entrance portico is copied from the Duke`s family seat at Stowe. Below the main house is Old Government House.

To the south is of the lake lies Fernhill Palace which was once the Palace of the Maharaja of Mysore. It has a dark-red stucco fa‡ade with elaborately carved barge-boards. The Palace was originally built in 1842.It was later extended in 1873, with large ballrooms and other suites for the Maharaja`s own use. Behind in an outbuilding lies an indoor badminton court. The Palace has now been converted into a hotel. To the North-West near the Lake lies the Baroda Palace. It was once the summer home of the Gaekwars.

To the North of the lake lies Aranmore, once the home of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. It is designed in a relaxed Arts and Crafts style, with an underground passage providing a direct link with the Maharani`s quarters.

Ooty is a calm and serene hill town which still bears the prominent marks of early colonial settlers. It is a welcome relief both in terms of weather for relaxation as well as picturesque sightseeing opportunities.

Demographics

As per 2001 Census, Udhagamandalam had a population of 93,921. Males constitute 50% and female constitute 50% of the total population. 9% of the population is under six year of age. It has an average literacy rate of 80% higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy rate is 84% and the female literacy is 75%.

Culture

The main languages used in Udhamandalam are Badaga, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam and English.

Makar Pongal in January, Thaipoosam in Elk Hill Murugan Temple, Mariamman annual festival, in February, Ooty Mariamman festval in April are the main festivals celebrated in Ooty.

Tea and Tourism festival is celebrated in the month of January, the popular flower show and fruit show is held in May at the botanical gardens every year. Tourism Department of Tamil Nadu also arranges boat races and Boat pageantry during summer vacation.

Visiting places in Udhagamandalam (Ooty)

Udhagamandalam or Ooty is appropriately called the `Queen of Hill Stations` due to its scenic beauty and eternal charm. It is situated in the Nilgiris where the western and eastern ghats meet. Some of the visiting places of Ooty are given here:

Temples in Udhagamandalam : Some of the temples of this place include the Murugan temple, Elk Hill, Venkateswara Perumal temple, Sri Mariamman temple, Subramaniaswamy temple, Vittobha temple and Muniswara temple.

Churches of Udhagamandalam : This place has some beautiful churches such as St. Stephen`s Church, Union Church, Holy Trinity Church, Sacred Heart Church, St. Mary`s Church, St. Thomas Church and Kandal shrine.

Mosques of Udhagamandalam : The visitors can go to the few mosques available here in Udhagamandalam.

The Botanical Garden of Udhagamandalam : This is a unique place in Udhagamandalam, which contains a wide range of plants that include different kinds of roses, important shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees and several old trees. A fossilised tree trunk that has become a hard stone in about 20 million years can also be seen here. The Horticulture Department here maintains this garden.

The visitors come here being attracted by the beautiful Italian garden and the green carpets of well-maintained lawns. The summer festival held here during the month of May every year attracts lots of tourists.

The pride of this festival is the annual flower show. Apart from this, cultural programmes are also organised to bring to light traditional classical arts. Adventurous sports like trekking also form part of the festival.

Mini Garden of Udhagamandalam : This garden is about 1 km from the railway station of Udhagamandalam. This garden is also known as `Children`s Lake Garden`. It is on the way to Boat House. A children`s amusement park can also be seen here. A snack bar is also available. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation maintains it. The garden is kept open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The visitors can enter there with an entrance fee of Rs.2, Camera fee Rs 5 and Video Camera fee Rs. 100.

Ooty Lake : This lake was artificially created by Sullivans. It has boating facilities. One can enjoy fishing also in this lake by taking permission from the office of the Asst. Director of Fisheries.

Rose Garden of Udhagamandalam : This garden is only 3/4 kms from the Railway Station of Udhagamandalam. It covers an area of about 10 acres. This garden is full of roses of 1419 varieties, which is exquisite scenery. One can enter this garden by paying a minimum entrance fee of Rs.5 per adult and Rs.2 per child. It remains open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Art Gallery of Udhagamandalam : Art Gallery is located in the Lalitha Kala Academy, which is about 2 kms from Ooty in the Mysore Road. Numerous collections of contemporary paintings and sculptures from all over India can be seen here. This gallery can be visited from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Government Museum of Udhagamandalam : The government museum is situated on the Mysore road. Items of tribal objects, district`s ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu are on display. Here. There is no admission fee here. It remains closed on Fridays, 2nd Saturdays and national holidays. The visiting time is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Wenlock Downs of Udhagamandalam ; The nature lovers call it a heaven. It covers an area of over 20,000 acres. The gymkhana Club, the Hindustan Photo Films Factory, The Government Sheep farms and the Golf Course are all in the Wenlock Downs.

Visiting Places around Udhagamandalam (Ooty)

Udhagamandalam or Ooty is a beautiful place and there also beautiful places surrounding it. Elk Hills, Green Valley View, Snowden Peak and Doddabetta Peak are the most important viewpoints around Ooty. The chief among these places is the Doddabetta peak which is the highest and is at a height of 2623m. One can see as far as the plains of Coimbatore and the plateau of Mysore if the day is clear. Some other places around Ooty are given here:

Coonoor
This is situated about 17 kms from Udhagamandalam. Coonoor is at an altitude of 2000 ft and is the first of these hill stations. Coonoor is a small town with a composed climate that has made it popular. The main attraction here is the Sim`s Park. This is a well-maintained hill station and contains several types of plants, which cannot be found in other hill stations.

Some other important view points, picnic spots and places of tourist interest in Coonoor are the Lamb`s Rock, Lady Canning`s Seat, Dolphin`s Nose, St Catherine Falls, Law`s fall, Rallia Dam, The Droog, Pomological Station, Kalian Agricultural Farm, and Burliar Agricultural Farm.

Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is the most famous in the state and the most important in the southern region. The thick forest of Madhumalai contains Tiger, spotted deer, elephant, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, civet cat, flying squirrel, four-horned antelope, bison, mouse deer, common langur, bonnet macaque, pangolin, the scaled ant-eater, panther, leopard, hyena, sloth-bear and jackal.

The birds of this sanctuary are peacock, woodpeckers, several species of owls, vultures, buzzards and the grey jungle fowl. The millions of glow-worms which look like a dream world of illumined quiet lit up the whole sanctuary during the April nights.

Theppakadu is an elephant camp within the sanctuary. A rest-house is also here. Accommodation is also available in TTDC youth hostel and rest-houses in Masinagudi, Abhayaranyam, Kargudi and Bamboo Banks Farm. The best time to visit here is between January-March and September-October.

Ketti Valley Viewpoint
It is situated on the road to Coonoor. This peaceful place is a bunch of small villages that extend to the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.

Glenmorgan
Ecologically, this place is a rich forestry spot. It is situated about 17 kms from Udhagamandalam. The Electricity Board from here carries staff from Glenmorgan Viewpoint to power house at Singara. All the 4 km of the winch track passes through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitats. The visitors can enter the viewpoint zone by taking prior permission of the E.B.

Upper Bhavani
It is situated about 10 kms from Korakundha and 20 kms from Avalanche. This place is regarded as a naturalists` paradise. This is also a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithapal via Sirpura one can trek to Silent Valley. The permission of the forest department is must to go there.

Kalhatty Falls
It is situated on the Kalhatty slopes, 13 kms from Udhagamandalam on the Mysore Kalhatty Ghat road. The height of the waterfalls is 100 ft. This slope is rich in wildlife such as panthers, bisons, wild buffaloes, wild dogs, spotted deer, sambars and different varieties of hill birds.

Cairn Hill
This hill is situated about 3 kms on the road to Avalanche. It is one of the few surviving original walks. The entrance road to the hill is bordered by dense cypress trees. It is also a good picnic spot. The chirping of birds in the shrubs breaks the silence of the cypress woods here, which is unforgettable experience for any visitor.

Kandal Cross Shrine
This is a Roman Catholic Church to the Nilgiris Catholics `The Calvary of Tamil Nadu`. It is situated about 3 kms from Ooty railway station on the western side. A relic of the true cross can be seen here. It cures the sick, bestows peace and joy to the visitors. Every Friday, special prayers and holy masses are offered. The annual feast falls on 3rd May each year.

Kamaraj Sagar (Sandynallah Reservoir)
This is a dam and is a nice picnic spot. One can reach there via Kandal amidst old trees and green shrubs of various terrains via the Hindustan Photo Films in Gudalur road. It is a good place to study nature and the environment and the fishing here is an excellent game in the dam.

The Mukurthi Peak and Mukurthi National Park
It is situated about 40 kms far from Ooty. It is located on the south-eastern corner of the Nilgiris. A large number of Nilgiri trees (Hamitragus hilverius) can be seen here. On the western side of these ranges, the `Silent Valley` is located.

The main feature of Mukurthi National Park is its variety and similarities to Himalayan flora and fauna.

Pykara
It is about 21 kms away on the Ooty-Mysore road. Pykara has a well protected fenced sholas, Toda settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and wildlife habitat. A large number of tourists come here to see the Pykara dam, Pykara falls and Pykara reservoir here. There is a boat house and restaurant here maintained by T.T.D.C. One of the enthralling sights here is the pykara power station to which water is carried through pipelines along the slope.

Avalanche
This beautiful lake is situated about 28 kms far from Ooty. It is crowded with a thick shoal, where even sunlight cannot penetrate. It has a wide variety of avifauna and a real paradise for nature lovers.

Western Catchment
It is situated 28 kms far from Ooty. It contains rolling grassy downs interspersed with moderate shoals occupying depressions and valleys.

Kotagiri
It is situated 31 kms from Ooty. It is located 6503 feet above sea level. The climate here is very healthy. One can enjoy a pleasure ride on roads bordered by green tea beds on either side.

Kodanadu Viewpoint
It is situated about 16 kms on the eastern edges of the Nilgiris. A panoramic view of tea estates can be seen on the either side and the river Moyar is wonderful. The panoramic view of Rangasamy peak and pillar can be enjoyed from a watch-tower here. Bus services are available for Kotagiri.

St. Catherine Waterfalls
A magnificent view of St. Catherine waterfalls can be seen from Dolphin`s Nose, Coonoor. It is about 250 feet high. The visitors take a diversion at Araveni on the Kotagiri-Mettupalayam road to reach the top of the hills.

Gudalur town
It is situated about 51 kms from Udhagamandalam. It is the gateway to Nilgiris from Kerala and Karnataka. Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri lie in the upper highland of Nilgiris while Gudalur lies in the lower highland. The Ooty-Calicut road and the Ooty-Mysore road meet at Gudalur town. Most of this area is a green carpet.

Frog Hill Viewpoint
It is located about 14 kms from Gudalur on the way to Udhagamandalam. One can see the huge frog shape of a hill view from here.

Needle Point Rock View
It is situated about 12 kms on the way to Ooty from Gudalur. One can enjoy panoramic views of Mudhumalai wildlife sanctuary and Gudalur town from here.

Numbal Kattah
This is a shrine of Battarayaswamy with sub-shrine built in Kerala style. Wynad scenes can be seen from here.

Nellialayam
The ruins of the historical Ummathur dynasty can be seen in this place.

Cherambadi
This place near Udhagamandalam is situated in the extreme western corner of the state. It has plantations and mica mines. Sultan Bathery is very near this place.

Hanging Bridges
It is situated on the way to Mudhumalai wildlife sanctuary. The places which attract the tourists here include a Siva temple at Baro Wood Valley, Marava Kandy Dam at Masinagudi and Moyar waterfalls.

Summer Festival
Udhagamandalam attracts lots of people during its Summer Festival and it is the best event during the season in May. Regular cultural programmes, fashion shows, flower and fruit shows, boat races, boat pageantry, dog shows etc. are held during the festival.