 Ooty (Ootacamund)
the Queen of the Hill Stations, also known as Blue Mountains is one of
the most beautiful hill stations in India. This hill station has
splendid green downs and lofty hills of extraordinary scenic beauty and
is endowed with a salubrious climate similar to the English summer.
Located in the Western Ghats at a height of 7,500ft,
Oooty/ Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiri district. Ooty
was the former summer retreat of the British. John Sullivan, the collector
of Coimbatore who founded the first European settlement here, stumbled
across Ooty's idyllic scenery in 19th century during one of his nomadic
searches for rare flowers. The name Ooty or Ootacamund derives its name
from the local Toda word Udhamandalam meaning village of huts. The
Tamil 'Whotai' a species of dwarf bamboo that grows in the forests,
'kai' meaning a fruit or green stuff in the middle and the Toda 'mund'
meaning a village clapped at the end. Ooty, however, got its name during
the British rule, by calling 'WOTYKAMUND' in the Madras gazette.
Ooty nestles in an amphitheater created by four majestic
hills-Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill and Club Hill. These hills are part
of the Nilgiri ranges that are really the meeting point for the Western
and the Eastern Ghats.
Ooty has become more of a 'honeymooner’s paradise' and
a de-facto filming location. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees
like conifers, pine and wattle dot the hillside of Oooty and its environs.
While visiting you will also come across many eucalyptus trenches
. The fresh smell of eucalyptus trees in a trendy and clement breeze will
make you psychedelic for sure. The funnel-shaped blossoms covering the
hills in floral profusion and the lavender-blue flowers spread over the
mountains will pack you with memories for a lifetime.
Ooty has many places to see. The idyllic valley views,
tranquil forest ranges, beautiful flora and fauna with bustling music
of the wildlife.
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