Nilgiris

The Nilgiris District is in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Nilgiri or Blue Mountains when translated into English) is also the name given to a range of mountains spread across the states of Tamilnadu as well as Karnataka and Kerala. The Nilgiri Hills are part of a larger mountain chain known as the Western Ghats. The highest point is the mountain of Doddabetta, with a height of 2,987 m. The district is mainly contained within this mountain range. The district headquarters is Udhagamandalam, popularly know as Ooty. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

History
The Nilgiri hills have a history going back a good many centuries. It is not known why they were called the Blue Mountains. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.Several sources cite the reason as the smoky haze enveloping the area, while other sources say it is because of the kurunji flower, which blooms every twelve years giving the slopes a bluish tinge.

It was originally tribal land and was occupied by the Todas around what is now the Ooty area, and by the Kotas around what is now the Kotagiri area. The Badagas appeared here much later from the Mysore Plateau, the unconfirmed date being 1550. Although the Nilgiri hills are mentioned in the Ramayana of Valmiki (estimated by Western scholars to have been recorded in the second century BCE), they remained all but undiscovered by Europeans until 1602. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.This was when the first European set foot into the jungles. A Portuguese priest going by the name of Ferreiri resolved to explore the hills and succeeded. He came upon a community of people calling themselves the "Toda." This priest seems to have been the only European to have explored this area. The Europeans in India more or less seem to have ignored the ghats for some two hundred or more years.

It was only around the beginning of the 1800s that the English unsuccessfully considered surveying this area. Around 1810 or so the East India Company decided to delve into the jungles here. An Englishman Francis Buchanan made a failed expedition. John Sullivan who was then the Collector of Coimbatore, just south of the Nilgiris, sent two surveyors to make a comprehensive study of the hills. They went as far as the lower level of Ooty, but failed to see the complete valley. The two men were Keys and Macmohan (their first names seem to be lost to the annals of history) and their mission was significant because they were the first Englishmen to set foot in the Nilgiri hills which soon led to the complete opening up of the area. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

The original discovery however,is attributed to J.C. Whish and N.W. Kindersley, working for the Madras Civil Service, who made a journey in 1819 and who reported back to their superiors that they had discovered "the existence of a tableland possessing a European climate." Incredible India Tours with Indian Travel agent.

The first European resident of the hills was John Sullivan, the Collector of Coimbatore, who went up the same year and built himself a home. He also reported to the Madras Government the appropriateness of the climate; Europeans soon started settling down here or using the valley for summer stays. The complete valley became a summer resort. Incredible India Tours with Indian Travel agent. Later on the practice of moving the government to the hills during summer months also started.

By the end of the 19th century, the Nilgiri hills were completely accessible with the laying of roads and the railway line.

Geography and climate
The district has an area of 2,452.50 sq.km.[2] The district is basically a hilly region, situated at an elevation of 2000 to 2,980 meters above MSL. Almost the entire district lies in the Western ghats. Its latitudinal and longitudinal dimensions being 130 KM (Latitude : 10 - 38 WP 11-49N) by 185 KM (Longitude : 76.0 E to 77.15 E). The Nilgiris district is bounded by Mysore district of Karnataka and Wayanad district of Kerala in the North, Malappuram and Palakkad districts of Kerala in the West, Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu in the South and Erode district of Tamil Nadu and Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka in the East. In Nilgiris district the topography is rolling and steep. About 60% of the cultivable land falls under the slopes ranging from 16 to 35%. Incredible India Tours with Indian Travel agent.

The altitude of the Nilgiris results in a much cooler and wetter climate than the surrounding plains, so the area is popular as a retreat from the summer heat. During summer the temperature remains to the maximum of 11°C to 15°C and reaches a minimum of 2°C to 5°C. During winter the temperature reaches a maximum of -2°C to 2°C and a minimum of -12°C.[2] The rolling hills of the Downs look very similar to the Downs in Southern England, and were used for similar activities such as hunting. Explore Incredible India with Special Holidays.

The district usually receives rain both during South West Monsoon and North East Monsoon. The entire Gudalur and Pandalaur, Kundah Taluks and portion of Udhagamandalam Taluk receive rain by the South West Monsoon and some portion of Udhagamandalam Taluk and the entire Coonoor and Kotagiri Taluks are benefited by the rains of North East Monsoon. Explore Incredible India with Special Holidays.There are 16 rainfall registering stations in the district The average annual rainfall of the district is 1,920.80 mm.

The principal town of the area is Ootacamund, or Udhagamandalam, which is the district capital. The town also has several buildings which look very "British", particularly the Churches. There is even a road junction known as Charing Cross. The other main towns in the Nilgiris are Coonoor, Kotagiri, Gudalur and Aruvankadu. The famous tourist spot in Coonoor are Lambsrock and Sims park. In Sims park, a "Fruit Show" is conducted during summer. All the varieties of fruit are displayed during that time. This park is situated on the way to Kotagiri. Explore Incredible India with Special Holidays.

Tourism
Tourism is an important source of revenue for the Nilgiris. The district is home to many beautiful hill stations popular with tourists who flock to them during Summer. Some of the popular hill stations are Udhagamandalam (district headquarters), Coonoor and Kothagiri. The Nilgiri Mountain Train or popularly known as the Toy Train is popular amongst tourists as the journey offers spectacular and breathtaking views of the hills and forests. Mudumalai National Park is popular with wildlife enthisiasts, campers and backpackers. The annual flower show organized by the Government of Tamil Nadu at the Botanical Garden in Ooty is a much awaited event every year, known for its grand display of roses. Nilgiris is renowned for its Eucalyptus oil and Tea. Tourists are also attracted to study the lifestyles of the various tribes living here and to visit the sprawling tea and vegetable plantations along the hill slopes. Other popular tourist destinations in the district are Pykara Waterfalls and Lake, Avalanche and Doddabetta peak. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.

Nilgiris District is situated on the beautiful Western Ghats. It is the most beautiful district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Nilgiris District is bordered by Coimbatore and Erode districts, and the neighboring states of Karnataka and Kerala. It has an area of 2,473 sq km, with cloud-kissing peaks, dense forests, rushing streams, undulating emerald green plains, breath-taking view of sudden drops, valleys and glades. Badaga, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and English are the languages spoken. The temperature varies from 5o C to 25o C.
Ooty, also known as Uhagamandalam, is the headquarters. Nilgiris District includes 4 hill stations: Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur. It has a population of over 1 million. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. Potato, paddy, ragi, samba wheat and barley are the main crops. Tea, coffee, cinchona, eucalyptus and geranium are also cultivated. Kurumbas, Todas, Badagas and Irulas are the scheduled tribes in Nilgiris District. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.

Ooty Botanical Gardens, Lake and Doddabetta peak (highest peak in South India) in Ooty, Sim’s Park, Pasture Institute, Pomological Station, Lamb’s Rock in Coonoor and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary are the main tourist attractions. Nilgiris District is well connected with other parts of the country by road and rail. Coimbatore is the nearest airport, 100 km from Ooty. Tour Incredible India with Indian Travel agent.

GOVERNMENT BOTANICAL GARDEN
Mr.Mc.Ivor completed the layout of Govt. Botanic Garden during the year 1857-1867. He adopted Lindley's natural system in laying out this Garden, particularly on the upper portions. The Garden lie in a beautiful ravine adjacent to Raj Bhavan in a nook but not far off from the town and is easily accessible to the visitors. It covers an area of 22 hectares, ascending the slopes on the hill at an elevation of 2400-2500 meters above MSL. It is a treasure house of temperate flora, consisting of flowering trees, beautiful shrubs, colourful lilies, bulbous planets, enchanting orchids, curious cacti and succulents, pleasing pteridophytes, breath taking glass house plans and charming annuals with bright colours. Tour Incredible India with Indian Travel agent.

CENTENARY ROSE GARDEN ( ROSE GARDEN )
To commemorate the Centenary Flower festival during May 1995, the Rose park was established at Vijayanagaram, in Ooty covering an area of 4 hectares in five terraces. The centenary is situated in the lower slopes of the Elk Hill and on the North-Western side, facing the Ooty town. It is about a Kilometer from Ooty Railway station and Bus Stand and has easy access with motorable roads from two sides. There are about 2150 varieties of Roses in the Rose garden which is the largest collection of roses in India.
The collection includes Flori Bundas, Polyanthas, Miniatures, Hybrid teas, Climbers and Ramblers. Tour India with Indian Travel Agent.

OOTY LAKE - BOAT HOUSE
Udhagamandalam is an extensive valley enclosed on all sides but the West by a lofty range of hills. In its west, an artificial but very picturesque Lake had been farmed by throwing a Dam across the narrow outlet of the valley. This lake known famously as "Ooty Lake". This history of the lake coincides with the history of Ooty. The lake was made in 1823 - 1825 due to the initiative taken by the then Collector of Coimbatore Mr. John Sullivan.
At the Ooty lake, a Boat house is being maintained by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to assist the tourist and others to hire row boats, paddle boats or motor boats. A big boat jetty, pony rides near the lake for Children is the major attraction. Another attraction for the Children is the Mini Train. The length of the lake is about 2.75kms and the breadth varies from 100 to 140 meters with an area of over 65 acres. Tour India with Indian Travel Agent.