Ooty: The Queen of Nilgiris

Udhagmandalam; commonly known as Ooty, in the Nilgiris; or the queen of Nilgiris as they call her is undoubtedly blessed with natural beauty just like many many other places in the rest of India.

Few of our colleagues, friends, and family friends had the opportunity to visit this place on the 20th of January. Thanks to Jay, who organised this. We had been to his home at Coimbatore, having reached there by train. Then we reached Cynthia's cousins house in Oaty town. We had a yummy breakfast, with tasty idly, sambar, chutney and samosa.

On the first day, we had been to a little away from Ooty the 6th mile; stagnant green water lake, with horse ride, 9th mile shooting point, Pykara; waterfalls and the lake here is clean and beautiful people enjoyed the boatride here. After luch at 2.45 we went to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve; but did not find even a single tiger here. On the way we did find some elephants and deers though. Monica was tired. We reached Cynthias cousins house, and others (Jay, his mom, Pravin & famil; Rohit & family) went to their hotel.

Next day morning, we kept gazing at the Noha's arch which was how Cynthia's grandfather's room was. Then with Danish we went via railwaystation to:

Kandal cross shrine.
Oaty lake
Rose garden.
Doddabetta from one side we could see oaty, and from the other Coimbatore.
The tea factory &
The Botanical garden, (But could not see in full)

Kosakai Pasapugal Danish was Vijay; and our great guide.


We did miss:
Kothagiri,
Swiss park,
Love dale,
Konoor,
Kathrin water falls,
Kodanad estate.

Besides some of the breathtaking views, we did also miss the lovely toy train that goes from Ooty to Conoor.

What did impress was the ban on plastic bags which was strictly followed by all shopkeepers, even the vegetable vendors. I was totally disappointed with all who were littering about shamelessly oblivious to the fact that that the very reason that has brought them this lovely place would be destroyed by their carelessness. I felt quite ashamed at the plight of the Queen of Nilgiris. I wish our people understood that the cleanliness about ‘phoren’ that they so admire would no longer be a dream for India if……