Located in the Western ghats at a height of 2240m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district where the two ghats meet. Nature has been generous with this region, which is by far the most beautiful in the state.Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature is rarely higher than 25°c with a minimum of 10°c and winters are distinctly cooler with a high of 21°c and a low 5°c. Curiously enough, this slice of paradise remained unknown to the great southern dynasties and it took the British to discover it in the early 1800s.
They were, however, not the first inhabitants of this land as a tribe called Todas had been living there long before the British came, claiming that the Nilgiris had been their home since time immemorial. But the credit for modernising Udhagamandalam and making it accessible goes to the British who constructed the first railway line in the area and made it the summer capital of the Madras Presidency.
Mini Garden: At about one kilometre distance Tourist can visit this mini garden (Children's Lake Garden) which is on the way to Boat House. Children's amusement park is housed here. A snack bar is also available. Tamil Nadu Tourism Developement Corporation Limited maintains it.
Art Gallery: Lalith kala Academy: It is situated about 2 kms, from Udhagamandalam in the main Mysore road. It has various collections of contemporary paintings and sculptures all over from India.
Rose Garden: It is located just 3/4 kms away from Charring Cross. It lies with 10 acres of land with 1919 variety of roses.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (67kms) - The most prominent of the wildlife sanctuaries in the state, as well as one of the most important in the southern region, thickly forested Mudumalai borders the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and the Wyanad Sanctuary in Kerala. Apart from the wide range of animal and bird life, the rich fauna of this sanctuary has made Mudumalai very popular with wildlife enthusiasts. There are tigers at Mudumalai, though it takes a lot of luck and perseverance to spot one of these big cats that are such masters of stealth. But there are several other creatures of the jungle that can be sighted more easily.
Among these are spotted deer, elephant, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, civet, flying squirrel, four horned antelope, mouse deer, common langur, bonnet macaque and pangolin the scaly anteater. More rarely spotted are the panther, leopard, hyena, sloth bear and jackal.
The birds include peacock, woodpeckers, several species of owls, vultures and buzzards and the grey jungle fowl to name a few. On balmy April nights, when the whole sanctuary is lit up by million of glowworms, one will be in a different world altogether, a world of illuminated quiet.
Within the sanctuary is an elephant camp called Theppakkadu where there is a rest house. Accommodation is also available at TTDC's Youth Hostel and rest houses in Masinagudi, Abhayaranayam and Kargudi and the Bamboo Banks Farm that is 18kms away. The best season to visit is between Jan-March and Sep-Oct. For further information contact the Wildlife Warden, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam. There are also resorts at Masinagudi.
Ketti valley viewpoint: Located on the road to Coonoor, this idyllic spot is a cluster of tiny villages that extend to the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.
Glenmorgan: It is about 17 kms from Udhagamandalam an ecologically rich forestry spot. There from is an Electricity Board (E.B).
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Winch which carries staff from Glenmorgan viewpoint to the powerhouse at Singara. All the 4 kms of the Winch track passes through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitat.
Upper Bhavani: It is about 10 kms from Korakundah and about 20 kms from Avalanche. This is Naturalist's Paradise. Some of the best sholas like sholas lies enroute. The area is a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithapal via. Sispara one can trek to silent valley. Forest Department's permission is necessary.
Kalhatty falls: It is located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13 kms from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty ghat road. The height of the water falls is about 100 ft. Kalhatty - Masinagudi slopes is rich in wildlife such as Panthers, Bisons, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Dogs, Spotted Deers, Sambers and different types of hill birds.
Wenlock Downs: A vast expanse of undulating landscape offering the Gymkana Club, the Government Sheep Farm and the Hindustan Photo Films Company besides pleasure of a long stroll on quiet roads.
Cairn Hill: Situated about 3 kms on the road to Avalanche, Cairn hill is one of the few surviving original walks. Dense cypress trees flank the entrance road to the hill. The clearings underneath them make good picnic spots. The stillness and silence of the cypress woods is broken only by the sounds of birds in the surrounding shrubs that can be an unforgettable experience.
Kandal Cross Shrine: This is a Roman Catholics 'Holy Shrine' of the Roman Catholics considered by the Nilgiri Catholics as the "CALVARY OF TAMILNADU" situated to the west of Udhagamandalam Railway Station. A relic of the true cross is here and it cures the sick, bestow heavenly blessings, peace and joy to the visiting pilgrims and tourists. Special Novena Prayers and Holly Masses are offered every Friday. The annual feast is on 3rd May every year.
Kamaraj Sagar (Sandynallah Reservoir): The Kamaraj Sagar dam is a good picnic spot and can be reached via. Kandal amidst every old trees and green shrubs of various terrains and via Hindustan Photo films in Gudalur road. It is a very good picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Sagar Downs. Apart from studying nature and the environment, fishing provides excellent game in Kamaraj as well as in Upper Bhavani and Avalanche, whose waters are especially rich in trout fish.
The Mukurthi Peak & Mukurthi National Park: Mukurthi Peak is about 40 km from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiris . The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar(Hamitragus hilocrius). The silent valley is located on the western side of these ranges. Fascinating feature of the Mukurthi Sanctuary is its variety and similarities to Himalayan Flora and Fauna.
Pykara: Situated about 21kms on the Ooty-Mysore Road, Pykara boasts of well-protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boathouse with Restaurant is available. It is maintained by T.T.D.C.
Avalanche: Located at a distance of 28kms from Ooty. A beautiful lake surrounded by a thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate and abundant with a wide variety of avifauna is a Nature Lover's Paradise.
Western Catchment: It is about 20 kms from Parsons Valley. It contains Rolling Grassy downs interspersed with termperate sholas occupying depression and valleys.
For More Information: www.incredibleindia.org
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