Introduction:
Nestled in the brilliant green hills of the Nilgiris, Ooty
or Udhagamandalam, is one of the favourite summer retreats
of people in South India.Orchards of peaches and plums, terraced
tea plantations, and eucalyptus, pine and wattle lining the
landscape… a typical hill station in many ways. Founded by
the British in the early part of the 19th century, Ooty is
home to many Britishers who have fallen in love with this
hill station where they discovered a little bit of England.
"…such beautiful English rain, such delicious English
mud" is how Lord Lytton-Viceroy of India from 1876-1880
described Ooty to his wife! The British influence is visible
in the handrolled cigars, chocolate and cheese one enjoys
here. You also have the popular derby, and 'hunt' held annually.
A hill station with a landscape perpetually enveloped in mist,
Ooty's beauty has a timeless appeal.
History:
Udhagamandalam, The "Queen of hill station" is the
capital of Nilgiri district. It is one of the best tourist
resorts.Nilgiris is called as "Blue Mountains".The
name Nila, we know to have been used over 800 years ago since,the
King of the Hoysalas Vishnu Vardhana, who ruled from 1104
to 1141 A.D. seized the Nilgiris Plateau.His general Ponisia
recorded this fact in 1117 A.D. with mention of Todas. The
name Nilgiri was due to the blue haze which envelopes the
range with most distant hills of considerable size.
Tourist Attractions :
Botanical Gardens : Established in the year
1847, this 22 hectare picturesque garden is maintained by
the Horticultural Department of the state. There are about
650 flora species that are being nurtured in this garden.
There is a fossil of a tree here as well, which is believed
to be more than 20 million years old. The place also hosts
the annual summer festival in May in which various flower
shows and various cultural programmes are held to showcase
the whole range of repertoire of the botanical gardens and
the local people.
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