Ooty in pictures

SIGHTSEEING IN OOTY Updated : Apr 26, 2016, 11:51 IST

Credit: ThinkStock Photos

Ooty

The most famous hill station south of the Vindhyas, Ootacamund or Ooty is known for its resplendent tea plantations and red-roofed bungalows. (Text by Sonam Joshi)

Credit: ThinkStock Photos

Ooty

Originally a densely forested area in the Nilgiri mountains, it was converted into a summer retreat for the British in the 19th century. Ooty's undeniable natural beauty and its misty green trails continues to draw visitors every year.

Credit: ThinkStock Photos

Tea

The hills surrounding Ooty are known for the cultivation and processing of tea.

Photo by: Ignazio Carpitella, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Tea factory

There are numerous tea estates and factories dotting the countryside between Ooty and Coonoor. Several of them also offer guided tours that give fascinating insights into the cultivation and processing of the popular beverage.

Photo courtesy: Taj Hotels

The Savoy Hotel

Originally built as a summer retreat for British officials, Ooty is still dotted with several colonial-era cottages, surrounded by English-style gardens. Several of these have been converted into heritage hotels. The Savoy hotel (pictured here) encloses cottages built between 1834 and 1865.

Photo courtesy: Little Earth

King's Cliff Hotel

King's Cliff hotel (pictured here) is another historic mansion, which played host to parties and marriages during the colonial period.

Photo by: Naveen K S, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

This steam engine train runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty and back, stopping at hill stations such as Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale and Ketty enroute. First opened in 1899, this railway line was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Photo by: Adam Jones, Ph.D. - Global Photo Archive, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Botanical Gardens

Established in 1847 by the Governor of Madras, this landscaped park is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the country. Spread across 55 acres, it also many rare varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers, and some magnificent topiary displays.

Credit: ThinkStock Photos

Sacred Heart Church

As a colonial-era hill station, Ooty has several beautiful old churches which continue to be used for worship. The Sacred Heart Church (pictured here) was originally built in 1897.

Photo by: Ram-R2R, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Ooty's racecourse

Ooty's colonial-era racecourse organises the horse racing season every summer, a tradition that's over 125 years old.

Photo by: mrpetersononline, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Ooty Lake

This beautiful lake lies at the heart of Ooty and is a popular boating spot. It was constructed in 1824 by Ooty's founder John Sullivan, who dammed a mountain stream to create this artificial water body.

Photo by: antkriz, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Dodabetta Peak

At 2637 metres, Doddabetta is the highest point in Tamil Nadu. Situated ten kilometres away from Ooty, it offers panoramic views of the Nilgiris.

Photo by: ****JUJU******, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Pykara Lake

There are several beautiful lakes and waterfalls around Ooty. Around 21 kilometres away from Ooty and surrounded by dense forests, Pykara Lake has facilities for boating and sailing.

Photo by: stonethestone, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Avalanche Lake

Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, this scenic aquamarine lake is one among eight other located in the Red Hills. All of them are surrounded by dense forests and share share a pristine beauty.