Udhagamandalam, which stands 7,349 feet above sea level in the
Nilgiris, is known as the Queen of southern hill resorts of India. Ooty, as
it is popularly known, spreads over 36 square miles, and the temperature ranges
from 25 degree celsius in summers, to near freezing in winters.
This famous hill station is at the junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka,
three southern states of India. It was founded by the Britishers, in the early
part of the 19th century, to serve as summer headquarters for the government
of Madras. Before that time, the area was inhabited by Todas. These tribal people
still inhabit the area, but only around 3000 remain.
Places of Interest in Udhagamandalam:
Botanical Garden, Lake, Govt.
Museum, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Mukurthi Peak and National Park, Ketty
Valley View, Pykara, Avalanche, Doddabetta, Kalhatty Water Falls.
More
General Info. :
Area : 36 Sq.kms.
Altitude : 2,240 mts
Temperature :
Summer : Max. 25°C, Min 10°C
Winter : Max. 21°C, Min 5°C
Rainfall : 121 cms
Population : 81,763 (1991 census)
Season : April to June and September to November
Clothing :
Heavy woolen in winter.
Light Woolen in summer.
Languages spoken : Tamil, Malayalam, Kannadam and English.
Getting there :
Air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore (100km) which is connected to
Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Rail: Udhagamandalam on the narrow gauge railway is connected to Mettupalayam
which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai on board gauge.
Road: Udhagamandalam is connected by good motorable road. It is 535 km
from Chennai (Via Salem, Mettupalayam ); 89 km from Coimbatore.
Bus Service: There are regular bus services connecting Udhagamandalam
to Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanniyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut
and Tirupathi.
Places to Worship :
Temple: Murugan Temple, Elk Hill, Venkateswara Perumal Temple, Sri Mariamman
Temple, Subramania Temple, Vittaba Temple, Muniswara Temple etc.
Church: st. Stephen's Church, Union Church, Holy Trinity Church, Sacred
Heat Church, St. Mary's Church, St. Therasa's Church and Kandol Shrine.
Mosque: Available.
Fairs & Festivals in Udhagamandalam:
Tea & Tourism Festival Ooty (January)
Thaipoosam in Elk Hill Murugan Temple (February)
Bookkapuram Mariamman Annual Festival (February)
Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival (April)
Coonoor Mariamman Temple Festival (April)
Boat Races and Boat Pageantry in Ooty (May)
Flower Show in Ooty (May)
Fruit Show in Coonoor (May)
