Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Ooty (India). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Botanical Gardens, Pykara, and Rose Garden. Also, be sure to include Doddabetta in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Ooty (Tamil Nadu).
Table of Contents
Botanical Gardens
Botanical garden in Ooty, India. The Government Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Udhagamandalam, near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu state, India laid out in 1848. The Gardens, divided into several sections, cover an area of around 55 acres, and lie on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak. The garden has a terraced layout. It is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department.
It ascends the slopes of the hill at an elevation of 2250–2500 metres above Mean Sea Level. The garden enjoys a temperate climate, with an average rainfall of 140 cm, the most of which is received during south-west monsoon, with frosty nights from November to February. The maximum and minimum temperatures are 28°C and 0°C respectively.[1]
Address: Botanical Garden Rd, 643001 Ooty
Pykara
River in India. Pykara is river 19 kilometres from Ooty in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu with a village by the same name nearby. The Pykara River is considered very sacred by the Todas. It rises at Mukurthi peak, flows northwards, and then turns to the west after reaching the edge of the plateau. The river flows through Murkurti, Pykara and Glenmorgan dams, and forms part of an important hydro-electric power project.
The river flows over a series of waterfalls, the last two of 55 metres (180 ft) and 61 metres (200 ft) being known as Pykara Falls. The falls are approximately 6 kilometres (4 mi) from the bridge on the main road. There is a forest rest house at Pykara. A boat house on the Pykara reservoir is an added attraction for tourists. Pykara boasts well-protected, fenced sholas, Toda settlements, large grassy meadows and good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, falls and reservoir attract many tourists.[2]
Rose Garden
Tourist attraction in Ooty, India. The Government Rose Garden is situated on the slopes of the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram of Ooty town in Tamil Nadu, India at an altitude of 2200 meters.[3]
Address: The Nilgiris, Ooty
Doddabetta
Also known as: दोड्डबेट्ट
Mountain in India. Doddabetta is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Mountains at 2,637 metres. There is a reserved forest area around the peak. It is 9 km from Ooty, on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a popular tourist attraction with road access to the summit. It is the fourth highest peak in South India next to Anamudi, Mannamalai and Meesapulimala. The peaks Hecuba, Kattadadu and Kulkudi are the three closely linked summits in the west of the Doddabetta range near to Udagamandalam.[4]
Adam's fountain
Fountain in Ooty, India. Adam's fountain is a public display fountain in Charring cross, Ooty. It was built in 1886 as a memorial to a Governor of Ooty, who was very famous in the region during his tenure. The total cost of finishing the fountain was between Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 14000, which was funded through public funding.[5]
St. Stephen's Church
Church in Ooty, India. St. Stephen's Church is located on the road to Mysore in Ooty, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district.[6]
Mariamman temple
The Mariamman temple is located near the market in Ooty, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Mariamman is the local deity of the region. It is dedicated to Mariamman, the Hindu Goddess of rain.[7]
Western Catchments
Western Catchment is an area of The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, situated about 20 km from Ooty. The Western Catchment area is protected by the Forest Department, and tourists are not allowed in without permission. Earlier some regional movies were filmed here, but due to environmental protection permission is no longer given.[8]
Holy Trinity Church
Building in Ooty, India. Holy Trinity Church is located in Ooty, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest landmarks in Ooty. The building was initially used by Indian Christians as a place of worship on Sundays and used as a school during weekdays. It became a dedicated church from 1858.[9]
Address: Summer House Road, 643001 Ooty
Ooty Radio Telescope
The Ooty Radio Telescope is located in Muthorai near Ooty, in southern India. It is part of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, which is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Atomic Energy. The radio telescope is a 530-metre long and 30-metre tall cylindrical parabolic antenna. It operates at a frequency of 326.5 MHz with a maximum bandwidth of 15 MHz at the front end.[10]
Ooty Lake
Also known as: ऊटी झील
Lake in India. Ooty lake is also called as ooty boat house is located in Ooty in the Nilgiris district and 1 km from ooty bus stand. Tamil Nadu, India. It covers an area of 65 acres. The Boat house situated by the lake, which offers boating facilities to tourists, is a major tourist attraction in Ooty.[11]