Kotagiri Hill

Kotagiri is one of the three popular hill stations, located in the Nilgiri Hills. It is just an hour's drive from Udhagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty. Kotagiri is a small hill resort located amid the lush tea estates. Kotagiri used to be the summer resort of the British. If you want to spend your vacations from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city life, Kotagiri is the perfect place for you. The climate of Kotagiri is a temperate one and attracts a large number of tourists every year.

The attractions of the city !

» Kodanad View Point :

The Kodanad viewpoint is located 18 Km away from Kotagiri on the easternmost ridges of the Nilgiri Hills. On both sides of the road you can have a great view of the distant plains, tea estates, dams and the River Moyar. .

» Elk Falls :

The Elk fall is another popular attraction at Kodagiri. Besides the waterfall, it is also known for the European house that was built here during the colonial period. Though the house is in ruins but that still makes a great sight. You can also have a close look into the lives of the tribal people by exploring the Badaga settlement, on the road to the falls.

» Rangaswamy Pillar and Rock :

The Rangaswamy peak lies 20 km from Kotagiri. This peak is sacred for Irulas (a tribe) that adds mysticism to the natural beauty. Just nearby is the Rangaswamy rock, a challenge for the rock-climbers. The Rangaswamy Rock rises abruptly on all sides to about 400 meters, which makes it impossible to climb.

» Longwood Shola :

The Longwood shola is the source of pure water for the people of Kotagiri area. Shola forests are a type of stunted evergreen vegetation that is found in the Southern states of India. The Longwood Shola forms an essential part of the delicate eco-system of the area. The micro climatic conditions make Kotagiri one of the ideal climatic locations. You can trek along on the picturesque trekking path, which goes through this calm shola forest.

Location of Kotagiri:	16 km away from Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Best Time:	All through the Year
Languages Spoken:	Major population speaks Badaga; Tamil & English secondary language
Kotagiri STD Code:	04236
Clothing:	Light woolen in summer and heavy woolen in winter

Yercaud - Tamilnadu Hill Station

Yercaud is located on the Shevaroy Hills and it is 1,515 meters high and you can easily experience the tranquil atmosphere of hills and the nature where she unveils beauty and pleases the tourists. The hilly slopes with thick forests and typical flora and fauna add life to the place. The place is laden with various natural elements which gives the tourist to enjoy their trip to the fullest. Being located in an altitude, the place experiences a pleasant weather round the year. This hill station remains populated in the summer as the place experience a wonderful climate at that time.

Yercaud is also called "Ooty of the Poor". Yercaud Town is situated above 4800' from mean sea level. The climate of Yercaud is a moderate one. The maximum temperature is 167.6°F and minimum is 66°F. Winter season starts in the month of September and ends in December. During Winter, the hills are covered by mist and looks beautiful. The Summer Festival is being celebrated in the second week of May of every year.

The attractions of the city !

» Yercaud Lake:

The Yercaud Lake, a picturesque pool surrounded by gardens and trees, is one of the main attractions of Yercaud. You can enjoy boating at the Yercaud Lake. If you like to paddle the boat yourself then the paddling boats are a good option otherwise you also have the option of the boatman rowing it for you as you relax in the calm waters of the Lake.

» Lady's Seat:

Lady's seat is name given to a cluster of rocks on the south west side of Yercaud. There is a steep drop of about 200 feet below from this point. One gets a panoramic view of distant Salem and the winding road up.

» Killiyur Falls :

The Killiyur waterfall is located at a distance of about 3 km from the Yercaud Lake. The ideal time to visit the waterfall is immediately after the monsoons. You can see the surplus water from the Yercaud Lake and other points of the Shevaroy Hills fall deep into the Killiyur Valley below, making a 300 feet waterfall.

»The Grange :

The Grange is one of the oldest buildings in Yercaud, built in 1820's by the then District Collector of Salem, M D Cockburn.

»Bear's Cave :

The Bear's cave is situated near the Norton Bungalow on the way to Servarayan temple. It is an important tourist spot as it is considered one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.

»The Servarayan Temple :

The Servarayan temple is situated atop the Servarayan hill. The temple is a narrow and dark cave having the God Servarayan and the Goddess Kaveri inside, which the Shevaroy Hills and the Cauvery River. The local tribes celebrate their annual festival in the Servarayan temple during the month of May.

Location:	33 Km From Salem, Tamil Nadu
Famous For:	Plantations And Orange Groves
Best Time:	February - June and September-November
Languages Spoken:	Tamil, Hindi and English
STD Code:	04281

Coonoor

Coonoor, a beautiful and serene hill station of Tamil Nadu, lies in the Nilgiri Hills. Coonoor derives its name from the Coon hill tribe of the region. Tea bushes, Grassy meadows, profusion of Sunflowers, Marigolds and Rhododendrons characterize Coonoor. Coonoor is basically a small tea estate town where the weather remains pleasant all through the year. Based on its relief, the town is divided into upper and lower Coonoor. Coonoor is one of the three popular hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills, the other two being Ooty and Kotagiri.

The attractions of the city !

» Sim's Park :

The Sim's Park is a famous landmark at Coonoor. The park is a botanical garden, spread over 12 hectares and has a collection of over 1,000 plant species that includes magnolia, tree ferns, pines and camellia. This park was developed partly in the Japanese style and is named after J. D. Sim, former secretary of the Madras Club. The annual fruit and vegetable show, held in May, is the main attraction of the botanical garden.

» The Pasteur Institute:

The Pasteur institute is another important attraction at Coonoor. It is situated near to the Sim's Park. The Pasteur institute specializes in the research for vaccines for rabies and polio. The institute is open for the visitors only on Saturdays. However, if you want to visit it on other days, you will have to seek prior permission of the Director of the Pasteur institute. tate.

» Pomological Station :

The Pomological station is a research center of the State Agricultural Department for persimmon, pomegranates and apricot. It is one of the three experimental fruit gardens in the Nilgiri Hills. The other two research centers are Burliar and Kallar. A research center of repute, the Pomological Station carries research on different fruits, which are locally grown. Some of the prominent fruits of the area are apples, peaches, plums, persimmons, apricots, lemons and pomegranates.

Location of Coonoor:	19 Km Away From Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
Best Time:	October to March
Languages Spoken:	Tamil and English
STD Code:	0423
Clothing:	Light woolen in summer and heavy woolen in winter

Ooty (Udhagamandalam)

Udhagamandalam, known as Ooty, is one of the most scenic and visited hill stations of India. Nestling at a height of 2240 m in Nilgiri's, Ooty is situated at a distance of nearly 105 Km from the famous city of Coimbatore. The scenery is surely the main attracting factor for tourists, but the other major reason for the huge inflow of the tourists is the salubrious climate that remains throughout the year.

Ooty first came into limelight when British found it in the year 1800. Although Ooty was inhabited way before, it was only in the nineteenth century that it became famous. Ooty was later chosen as the summer capital of the Chennai Presidency. The first railway track in Southern India also came up in Ooty. In fact, you can still take a ride in the one of the last few remaining steam trains in India that still operates here in Ooty. Apart from enjoying the splendors of Ooty leisurely, you can also indulge in some thrilling adventure sports like trekking, para gliding and hiking.

The attractions of the city !

» Botanical Garden :

Bitanical garden consists of numerous ornamental plants that adorn this garden. Botanical Garden is also the venue for the famous Flower Show held in May every year. The show itself attracts tourist from around the country and from foreign countries as well. The main attraction of the park is a fossil tree trunk which is proved to be more than 20 million years old.

» Government Museum :

For all you history and culture buffs who wish to know more about the unique past and present of Tamil Nadu.the Government Museum is a must visit. Situated on Mysore road, the museum showcases items like tribal artefacts, district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of this wonderful state.

» The Mukurthi Peak & Mukurthi National Park :

Mukurthi Peak and the national park are situated about 40 Km from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiri's Plateau. The area contains a noticeable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius). The famous silent Valley is located on the Western side of these ranges.

» St. Stephen's Church :

St. Stephen's Church is one of the oldest churches in entire South India. It is located on the Mysore road, near the Collectorate and dates back to the days of Rt. Hon'ble Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras. He laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829, to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. There are stained-glass painting on the Eastern side as well as behind the chancel. However the main attraction of the church is the glass paintings depicting Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On the Western wall, above the paneled doorways, is a large life-like painting of the Last Supper.

» Pykara :

Situated about 21 Kms/13 Mile on the Ooty-Mysore Road, boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Todas settlement, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam and the reservoir attracts many tourists.

» Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary :

Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Nilgiri's District bordering Kerala as well as Karnataka State. The park is situated at an altitude of 1000 meters and covers an area of 321 sq. kms. The main fauna species found here are Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse, Wild Boar, Parcupine etc.

» Doddabetta :

Doddabetta is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiri's and is only 10 km away from Ooty. Lying at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats, it is a must vist attractions for all tourists. The lofty heights of Doddabetta offers beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hills ranges. There is also a telescope house run by TTDC.

Area:	36 sq. km
Population:	About 80,000
Altitude:	2286 m
Annual Rainfall:	991 mm
Temperature:	Max - 24.3°C, Min - 4.8°C
Clothing:	Summer-Light Woolen; Winter-Heavy Woolen
Language:	Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and English
STD Code:	0423
Best Time:	Between November & March

Kodaikanal - Full Information

Kodaikanal is a charming little hill Station situated at an altitude of 6,854 feet above sea level. In a state that is more famous for 'The Queen of Hill Stations', Kodaikanal attracts as many tourists and has a fair share of its own die hard admirers. So much were people smitten by its beauty and sedateness that today it is referred to as 'The Princess of Hill Stations'.

The name Kodaikanal means 'The Gift of Forest'. And once you visit Kodaikanal and its nearby areas, you will know why this hill station has this name. It is surrounded by deep and dark forest which it seems are guarding its beautiful landscape. Kodaikanal is brimming with some of nature's wonders like Coaker's walk, Fairy falls, Bear shola falls and many more.

The attractions of the city !

» Star Shaped Lake :

Kodaikanal lake, this is a man made lake which is probably the most liked attraction in the hill station. Situated right in the center of Kodaikanal, the lake was converted from a marshy land by former Collector Sir Vere Levinge. This star shaped lake covers an area of nearly 60 acres and provides facilities for boating. You can also take a horse ride by the sides of Kodaikanal Lake which is surrounded by different types of trees.

» Solar Observatory:

One of the only three solar observatories in the world, the observatory in Kodaikanal is almost 75 years old. Located at a distance of 3 km from the lake and at an altitude of 2343 m., the observatory is at the highest point of this hill station. You can buy tickets for a show that is played in this observatory that will give you a glimpse of our solar system.

» Fairy falls :

Fairy falls have become an inseparable part of people of Kodaikanal as an interesting spot for picnics. It has also become famous among tourists for its crystal clear waters. A swim at the foot at the falls will leave surely leave you refreshed and re-energized.

» St. Stephen's Church :

St. Stephen's Church is one of the oldest churches in entire South India. It is located on the Mysore road, near the Collectorate and dates back to the days of Rt. Hon'ble Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras. He laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829, to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. There are stained-glass painting on the Eastern side as well as behind the chancel. However the main attraction of the church is the glass paintings depicting Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On the Western wall, above the paneled doorways, is a large life-like painting of the Last Supper.

» Coaker's Walk:

Situated around 1 Km from the lake, the coaker's walk proves to be an exceptional place to get some of the most fascinating views of the surrounding areas. Named after the Lt. Coaker, it is situated on the southern end of Kodaikanal.

» Kurinji Andavar Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Murugan, Kurinji Andavar Temple is situated at a calm and secluded place, some 3 km away from the star shaped lake. The beautiful temple gives you beautiful views of Northern Plains and Palani Hills.

» Pillar rocks :

It is about 9 km away from the centre point of Kodaikanal. Three granite formations measuring over 120 m high stand shoulder to shoulder providing beautiful view. It has a mini garden at the view point with lovely flowers. The pillar rock is full of caves and chasms, a delight for adventure seekers.