English
Escaping the heat of the plains often means running to the hills. And what better than – Ooty. Taking a quiet, tranquil, picturesque miniature toy train ride up the hill is itself such a marvel that you don’t know if anything else would match up to it. It can easily pass off as an English countryside with tall pines swaying everywhere. Ooty is a great mix of Hindu temples with beautiful gardens, an international school and charming Raj-era bungalows that provide its most atmospheric accommodation.
‘The Queen of the Hills’ was memorably nicknamed ‘Snooty Ooty’, when it was established by the British in the early 19th century as the summer headquarters of the Madras government. The best time to visit here is during April-to-June. However, if you enjoy extreme cold temperatures then try going between October and March, when the overnight temperatures occasionally drop to 0°C.
Here’s what you must see when in Ooty:
St Stephen’s Church
Perched above Ooty’s centre, this immaculate pale-yellow building is the Nilgiris’ oldest church. Decked with lovely tinted glass, huge wooden beams hauled from Tipu Sultan’s palace 120 kms away, and other building materials like slabs and plaques donated by colonial-era churchgoers – St Stephen’s is an overgrown cemetery where you’ll find headstones commemorating many Ooty Britishers, including those of Ooty founders – John Sullivan’s wife and daughter.
Botanical Gardens
Image courtesy: Getty
Established in the 19th century, these pretty 22-hectare gardens are a living embodiment of Nilgiris’ natural flora. The Government Botanical Gardens is home to a thousand-odd varieties of plants, trees, medicinal herbs, and rare trees such as paper bark, monkey puzzle, and cork. What takes the cake though is a fossilised tree trunk that is estimated to be 20 million years old. This treasure trove of plant life is beautifully laid out in between lawns lined with flower beds, lily ponds, and an Italian-themed garden.
Doddabetta
The highest point (2633m) in the Nilgiris, Doddabetta peak is about 7 kms east of Ooty. It is especially pretty on clear days; you could get a mist-free view of the entire quaint town of Ooty. It’s about a 3km hike or jeep ride from the Doddabetta junction where the Kotagiri buses usually drop you.
Nilgiri Library
Who’d have thought that there would be a cosy reading room like this one up in the hills. Nilgiri library is every bookworm’s haven. It is set in a crumbling, earthy-red building and houses more than 30,000 books, including rare titles on the hill tribes of the Nilgiris and 19th-century British journals. Travellers can avail a temporary one-month membership for a meagre 500 rupees. Don’t forget to spot a portrait of Queen Victoria that was presented to Ooty on her 1887 Golden Jubilee.
Boat House
This is a one-stop entertainment point for adults and children alike. You could indulge in boating, horse riding and going around in carousels. It is especially great for family travelling with children; the cotton candy stands, fruit vendors, food court, and mini train can be quite fun and engaging.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Articles News on India.com.