OOOOOOTY.!!

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". Bordering the Karnataka and Kerala states, the Nilgiris or Blue mountains is a veritable fairyland. It has hill stations at various altitudes and is a very popular travel destination. There are cloud-kissing peaks, dense forests, rushing streams, undulating emerald green plains, breath-taking view of sudden drops, valleys and glades. The charming hill station of Ooty, is situated amidst the magnificent Nilgiri mountain ranges. Popularly known as the 'Queen of hill stations' Ooty is one of the favourite summer resort of South India. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. The best thing about Ooty is that it combines the peace and tranquility of a hill station with the comforts of urban life. The altitudes of Nilgiri mountains varies between 2,280 metres and 2,290 metres. The Doddabetta hill situated at a height of 2,623 metres is the highest peak in Ooty. Other hills are Snowdon, Elk hill and Club hill.
The hill station of Ooty is known for its orchards of peaches and plums, terraced tea plantations, eucalyptus and pine trees. Ooty hills changes its moods in different seasons, but its different moods provide similar hospitality to the tourists. The hill station sprawling along a picturesque plateau, with its green valleys and natural beauty offer a close affair with nature. Besides its pristine charm, Ooty hills offer several adventure options like trekking, hand-gliding and angling etc.
Ooty is famous for its Tea and Tourism festival, which is held in the month of January. In the festival the visitors can know much about the different flavours of their favorite drink tea. Makar Ponagal is another important festival celebrated in the month of January. One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers.

There is no better holiday mountain resort in India than the Nilgiris. It is here the world's widest valley Ketti is found. Many breathtaking wild gardens in the Western Catchment provide trekking and hiking grounds for the nature lovers. Ooty and Udhagamandalam are various names of Ottakkalmandu which means "the village of a single stone". An important point on the Mettupalayam-Ooty route is the pretty town of Coonoor; and on the Mysore-Ooty route, the high landmark is the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Botanical Garden : Botanical garden is a major attraction for the tourists who visit Ooty. The Botanical garden has more than 650 plant species, including a 20 million years old fossil tree trunk. The garden houses varied fauna, which consists of six sections comprising varieties of tree species, grass, ferns, multi coloured flowering plants, house ferns and orchids. This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale and is spread over 55 acres. Lush green well maintained lawns, rare tree species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree - monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental), fern house with a vast range of ferns and orchids, are some of the many highlights of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in the month of May at this garden.

Doddabetta Peak: The 2,623 metre high peak situated 10 Kms away from Ooty, is the highest peak in the Nilgiri range. The peak located at the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats, provide the breathtaking view of the Nilgiri hills and its surroundings. The highest point in the Nilgiri Hills, offering spectacular views over the town and district. There is road access to the summit. There is a reserved forest area around the peak. Coonoor : Situated at a distance of 17 Kms from Ooty, Coonoor is beautiful hill station. The 1,839 metres high station is known for its picnic spots and breathtaking surroundings.

The Ooty Lake & Boat House: This is an artificial lake built by Mr. John Sullivan (an erstwhile collector of Coimbatore). The sheer beauty of the lake attracts thousands of tourists to this hill resort. It is a very popular tourist spot in Ooty. You can go boating between 8 AM and 6 PM on all days in this lake. A wide range of boats are available at the Boat House to suit varied tastes and budgets. A Mini Garden with an amusement park for children and a toy train are added attractions here. Apart from boating, simply watching the colourful sunset may prove to be a memorable experience. Pykara falls is 19 km from Ooty. The river has a dam and power plant. There is a breathtaking scenery. The falls, about 6 km from the bridge on the main road, are best in July, but they are also worth visiting from August to December. There is a forest rest House at Pykara. A boat house by the Pykara falls and Dam is added attractions to the tourists.Pykara boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists.

Published In Arrow magazine. December 2007 Issue. For more: http://www.aagneyam.com/arrow

The Fabulous CHIKKAMAGALURU.!

If you are planning to go for an outing with friends or family, you will be appreciated by your companions in selecting Chikkamagaluru. No doubt in that. Chikkamagaluru is the place where coffee was first cultivated in India. As one of the district in Karnataka State, the word Chikkamagaluru literally means “The town of the younger daughter” in the native Kannada language. The town is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna and hence the name. As one can guess, there is indeed a town called Hiremagaluru which means “the town of the elder daughter” which is about five Kilometer from Chikkamagaluru city.

The mountains here which are a part of the Western Ghats are the source of rivers like Tunga and Bhadra. Hill stations like Kemmanagundi and Kudremukh and waterfalls like Manikyadhara and Kallathigiri are giving Chikkamagaluru the status of tourist’s paradise. Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary are really interesting to the wildlife enthusiasts.
Coffee was introduced into India through the Chikkamagaluru district when the first coffee crop was grown in the Baba Budan Giri Hills during 1670 AD. According to the article Origins of Coffee, the saint Baba Budan on his pilgrimage to Mecca travelled through the seaport of Mocha, Yemen where he discovered coffee. To introduce its taste to India, he wrapped seven coffee beans around his belly and got them out of Arabia. On his return home, he planted the beans in the hills of Chikkamagaluru, which are now named Baba Budan Hills in his honour.

Kemmangundi: A scenic hill station on the Baba Budan Giri range of hills named Kemmanagundi, 55 km north from Chikkamagaluru town, is really an amusing spot to the tourists. Kemmangundi is also known as K.R. Hills after the Wodeyar King, Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who had made it his favourite summer camp. Kemmangundi, at a height of 1,434 meters, is surrounded by thick forests and a salubrious climate through out the year. It is surrounded by the Baba Budan Giri range and blessed with silver cascades of mountain streams and lush vegetation. It’s beautifully laid out ornamental gardens and enchanting mountain and valley views are a treat to the eye. Spectacular sunsets are a must see from various locations in the district, even from the Raj Bhavan. For the adventurous, Kemmangundi offers many peaks to scale and intricate jungle paths to explore. There is a place called Z-point at about 10 minutes walk from this main place which gives a nice aerial view of the Shola grass lands of the Western Ghats. Just 10 km away from Kemmangundi is Kallahathigiri falls, also known as Kalahasti falls. Water cascades down from the top of the Chandra Drona hill from a height of 122 meters amidst fascinating scenery. There is an old Veerabhadra temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, constructed in a gap between rocks. This temple can be approached after crossing the waterfall. Hebbe Falls, a beautiful waterfall is also over 10 km away from the famous hill station, Kemmangundi. Here water streams down from a height of 168 meters in two stages to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls). Shanti Falls, a fabulous waterfall is on the way to Z-Point in Kemmangundi.
Kudremukh and Kudremukh National Park: 95 km southwest of Chikkamagaluru town is Kudremukh range (in Kannada Kudure = horse and mukha = face), so named because of the unique shape of the Kudremukh peak. Overlooking the Arabian sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valley & steep precipices. Kadambi Falls is a waterfall located in the Kudremukh National Park.

Mullayanagiri: Mullayanagiri is part of the Baba Budan Giri Hill Ranges here. It stands 1930 meters tall and is the tallest peak in Karnataka. Its height is famous mostly for watching sunsets from. It is 16 km from Chikkamagaluru town. Driving to Mullayanagiri is worth taking a risk. On the way is Sitalayanagiri where the water in the Shiva temple neither increases nor decreases. The road to Mullayanagiri is very narrow with a views from steep cliffs. Driving to the peak is not possible and includes a trek up the hill from the half way point. There is a small temple on top of the hill. From the topmost point of the hill the Arabian sea is visible on clear days. The small hillock in the temple compound is the highest point in Karnataka. It is a great trekking spot in Karnataka.


Published In Arrow magazine.
November 2007 Issue.
For more:
www.aagneyam.com/arrow