Ooty, also known as Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, which lies 7,349 ft above sea level in the Nilgiris, is known as the Queen of southern hill resorts of India. Situated in the Nilgiris, this famous hill station is at the junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, three southern states of India.Ooty, as it is popularly known, spreads over an area of 36 sq miles, and the temperature ranges from 25 degree celsius in summers, to near freezing in winters. It offers spectacular scenic beauty and salubrioud climate. The lush vegetation and the lavender-blue sheen of the mountains here offer a promising and peaceful rejuvenating summer.

Ooty short for Ootacamund pronunciation (help·info) (the official name is Udagamandalam), is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu State, Southern India. The origin of the name Ootacamund is obscure, but "mund" is the Badaga word for a Toda village, and it is probably a corruption of the Badaga name for the central region of the Nilgiri Plateau. [1] Udagamandalam is a more recent official Tamil name for the town. Ooty stands at an approximate height of 7,440 feet (2,268 metres) above sea level.

The Nilgiri Hills were part of Hoysala empire under king Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. It then became part of the Mysore of Tipu Sultan who later surrendered it to the British in the 18th century.

John Sullivan, the British governor of neighboring Coimbatore province, liked the climate of this forested land, and occupied it by taking land from the native tribes (Toda, Irumba and Badaga); often buying up many square kilometres in a day for the price of a few meals.

The hills were developed rapidly under the British Raj because they were almost entirely owned by private British citizens, unlike the rest of India. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, and had winding hill roads and a complicated rack-and-pinion railway system built by influential and enterprising British citizens with venture capital from the Madras government.

Botanical Gardens

Laid out in 1847, the Government Botanical Gardens is the most beautiful jewel on the crown of the "Queen of Hill Stations". There are over 650 species of plants housed in the garden. The fossil of a tree trunk believed to be 20 million years old is preserved here. The garden spread over 22 hectares possess lush green lawns, six sections comprising varieties of tree species, variety of ferns, fashioned beds, an Italian formal garden, flowering plants, house ferns, orchids and nurseries.

Ooty Lake View

The lake is another major attraction and boating is very popular here. The artificial lake, shimmering under the gentle sun is a popular site for the tourists. Pony rides are available along the road skirting of the lake.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary offers a leisurely ride on elephant-back through its forest trails, with a view of varied flora and fauna, as well as ever-changing symphonies of birdsong.

Botanical Gardens

Ooty Art Gallery : It is situated about 2 km from Ooty on way to Mysore. The Art Gallery has various collections of contemporary paintings, items of tribal objects, district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamilnadu.

Nasiyan Jain Temple

Nasiyan Jain Temple is located on Prithvi Raj Road and devoted to the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhdeoji. The temple is greatly revered by the Digambar sect of Jains. There is a museum alongside the temple. The construction of the temple began in 1864 and opened to the public in 1895.

By Air

Coimbatore, 105 km from Ooty, is the nearest airport. Indian Airlines has flight to Coimbatore from Bangalore, Cochin and Chennai. The Blue Mountain Express to Ooty is from Mettupalayam (47 km).

By Rail

Mettupalayam at a distance of 40 kms is the nearest railhead. Ooty has its own railhead at a distance of 8 kms, which receives only toy trains.

By Road

All the important towns of Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka are connected to Ooty by road.

Ooty offers some uniquely interesting shopping experiences. Local products include a range of aromatic and medicinal oils and essence extracted from herbs, woods and flowers; a range of garden-fresh teas; fresh fruits, vegetables and spices; and a variety of local fabrics and crafts and silver jewellery.