OOTY / UDHAGAI / UDHAGAMANDALAM / OOTACAMUND

Government House (Raj Bhavan) is situated on a ridge of the Western Slopes of Doddabetta on the outskirts of the South Eastern Quarter of Udhagamandalam.

Before Udhagamandalam became the virtual summer capital of the state, it was visited periodically, by the Governors of Madras for a few months to -make a good escape from the hot sultry weather of Madras.

Built in 1877 by the Duke of Buckingham when he was the Governor of Madras, Government House, Raj Bhavan today, is used only occasionally during the Governor of Tamil Nadu's visit to ooty. Otherwise, the sprawling cream-coloured mansion, overlooking the Botanical Gardens stands a silent reminder of the pomp and grandeur that it had seen in the days of the Raj.

A fine ballroom added by Sir Arthur Havelock in 1900 and in 1904 the entire building was electrified. The well-kept lawn and the beautiful gardens is the residence of the Governor for most of the summer months of April, May and June. Portraits of Governor and their ladies, of Queen Victoria, George V, George Marry, the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and many others decorate the walls of the house.

ADAM'S FOUNTAIN

This, which is a memorial to a Governor who made himself in every way popular during a brief tenure of office terminated by his death at Ootacamund, was erected, by public subscription, some time in 1886, at a total cost of between Rs.13,000/- and Rs.14,000/-.

It was at first intended to place it in front of the market, but it was subsequently decided that the site in front of the Collector's Office was better, as being a more public place. It having been found, however, that there was not a sufficient head of water at this point to allow of the fountain playing freely, it was, at the end of 1898, moved by the municipality, to its present position, which is that formerly occupied by the old mealnoxylon tree that used to mark the centre of “Charing Cross”.

HONEY & BEE MUSEUM

‘The Honey & Bee Museum’ is a novel project at Ooty by the NGO, Keystone Foundation. It depicts information on indigenous honey bees and traditional indigenous tribal people who harvest them. It also has a children’s activity room and a small knowledge resource unit on bees, environment and people. The Bee Museum is first of its kind focusing on traditional knowledge and practices. The museum aims to be a vibrant space with live demonstration units of bees, specimens and tools – both traditional and modern used in beekeeping and honey gathering.

Radio telescope has been installed at Muthorai which could be reached via. Fernhill on the Udhagamandalam - Avalanche road. This being the largest telescope in Asia was constructed between 1966 and 1968. It was generated with indigenous capabilities in antenna design and fabrication as an offshoot. The Radio Astronomy Centre (TIFR) is using the telescope for astronomical investigations. More information can be had from here.

TRIBAL RESEARCH CENTRE & TRIBAL MUSEUM

The Tribal Museum is functioning in the campus of Tribal Research Centre which is located at Muthorai Palada, 10 kms. away from Ooty town. Tribal Museum is placed on the hillock depicting rare artifacts and photographs of primitive tribal groups of Tamilnadu as well as Andaman and Nicobar Islands and developed on the interests of Anthropological and Archaeological primitive human culture and heritage. Tribal Museum is also having an open air tribal houses belongs to Toda, Kota, Paniya, Kurumba and Kanikaran. Popular six sculptures are exhibited inside the museum depicting the life size physical anthrop models of Todas, Kotas and Paniya

KAMARAJ SAGAR (Sandynallah Reservior):

The Kamaraj Sagar Dam is a good picnic spot and can be reached via kandal amidst very old trees and green shrubs of various terrains. It is a very good picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs. Apart from studying nature and environment, fishing provides excellent game in Kamaraj Sagar Dam.

GLENMORGAN

At 25 km North west of Ooty is situated Glenmorgan which was then very famous for the Tea estate. The Glenmorgan tea estate is one of the oldest estate of the place and it was there even before the Pykara Hydro Electricity scheme was taken up for execution. The beautiful lake at the foot of this estate constitutes the fore bay for the Pykara power house which is above 3 km down the hill at Singara. The Pykara power plant is the highest plant so far installed in the whole of Asia and is situated at a height of 938.78 meters. There is a haulage way (Mechanical Rope Way) leading to the power house and it takes nearly one hour to go by the trolley from the Glenmorgan head works to the power house at Singara.

The Incline near the German point is so perpendicular that this stretch of the track, have, to a length of 300 meters, makes difficult ascent and descent. The Inclination is 41 at this point and the total length of the haulage is 3000 meters. A trip to Singara by the Haulage is certainly a thrilling experience. Rest houses are available both at Glenmorgan and Singara for the use of the Officers of the Electricity Board and also for other visitors.

Glenmorgan and Singara are of great importance to the tourist as delightful picnic spots. The view from the point above the rest house at Glenmorgan is panoramic. A picturesque view of the Pykara power house at Singara, the Moyar valley, The Mudumalai Wild life Sanctuary and the distant places of Mysore can be had from here.

AVALANCHE

Travel 28 kms from Ooty town past the Emerald Lake surrounded by undisturbed forest and you have reached Avalanche. It is on the way to Upper-Bhavani from Ooty via Emerald Camp. The gorgeous scenery at every turn is an experience of wonder and delight. The views from the top of the hill at Avalanche give a magnificent sight of the Avalanche Valley and reservoir In many places here, the shoals are so thick that even sunlight cannot penetrate. Avalanche is home to a wide variety of birds in great abundance. Spotting and identifying them can be a very rewarding experience for bird lovers. It is also popular with angling enthusiasts for trouts. The shoals here are a heaven for rare temperate Orchids.

KALHATTY FALLS.

Kalhatti Falls is about 13 Kms. from Ooty on Sigur Ghat Road. This is a beautiful picnic spot where the height of the falls is about 120 feet.

Buses are available upto Kalhatti village on the 6th mile on Sigur Ghat road and one has to cover the next two miles by foot to reach the falls. Nevertheless, the falls is connected by a motorable road. It is ideal for persons fond of Hiking, Bird Watching and Trekking.

KETTI VALLEY VIEW

This view point is located 7 kms from Ooty on the Ooty – Coonoor Road. Undulating hills from the backdrop for fourteen picture- post –Cards villages. The valley is one of the largest valley in the world and extends from the plains of Coimbatore to the Mysore plateau.

PYKARA

The Pykara is the largest river in the District. It is considered very sacred by the Todas. The Pykara river rises at Mukurthi peak. It passes through hilly tract, generally keeping to North and turns to West after reaching the Plateau's edge. It gets down majestically in a series of cascades; and the last two falls of 55 meters and 61 meters are known as Pykara falls. They are about 20 kms from Ooty.

The Pykara Lake is about 21 kms from Ooty on the Ooty-Mysore road. Boating on the Pykara lake is enjoyable. A restaurant is also available. Wenlock Downs, a vast Expanse of grassy meadow on way to Pykara, is a favorite picnic location and is very popular with the movie makers of this country.