Pondicherry

Pondicherry (Puducheri) literally means ‘the new settlement’. The French settlement comprising the town Pondicherry, fondly called Pondy and three other pockets in the different states, Karaikal (Tamil Nadu), Mahe Kerala), and Yanam (Andhra Pradesh), is what makes today’s Union Territory of Pondicherry, which is 200 km south of Chennai (Madras).

On the way to Pondicherry, one gets to see the scenery typical of the Deccan plateau. Striking red soil and deep green vegetation, consisting mainly of cashew, palm and neem, forming a stunning landscape.

The township of Pondicherry is planned on a grid system, which is to say that the roads meet each other at right angles. On the seaward side is the long Petit Canal which divides the town so that the French township is on the side facing the sea and the predominantly Indian/Tamil one on the other.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Pondicherry-

 In the heart of the town lies the Samadhi, or the ashram of Shri Aurobindo Ghosh. At the Ashram’s hand-made paper factory one can buy the most wonderful paper products. The Ashram also has departments selling hand-painted saris, ties, and dress material. On the way, one can notice people playing a strange game with iron balls, which was a French form of amusement.

The beach road is like the mall of a hill station, where everyone comes for a stroll. The footpath is interspersed with trees, flower beds and has lots of benches to sit on and enjoy the evening. Here one can even take a ride in a catamaran by requesting the fishermen, as is the practice. Overlooking the sea among the many mansions, the most striking is the one called Marie. It is built in the French style and is actually the Municipality office. The other buildings which are reminiscent of the French architectural style are the Samadhi, French Institute, Ecole Francaise, Raj Niwas to name a few.

Exactly parallel to the beach road runs the Rue Dumas Street, which was the first street to be built here in the year 1706. Strolling northwards one would come to a large park, which is Government Square.

Auroville, about 10 km away from Pondicherry, is a unique experience. The place has been transformed into a lush green cover from a highly eroded area, by 25 years of sheer hard work. Ousteri and Kaliveli near Pondicherry are a birdwatchers’ paradise. Kaliveli is famous for flamingoes, while Ousteri is great for observing water birds.

 
Nehru Street is a paradise for a shopper where one can buy leather and pottery goods. Besides a lot of gift items like bags, bed sheets, paper lanterns and trendy T-shirts can be bought.

The other attractions in Pondicherry are the Duplex and the Botanical Gardens.

PLACES AROUND PONDICHERRY

 There are exciting birds watching excursions at Kaliveli Tank, Ousteri or the lighthouse marsh.

Gingee about 50 km south east of Madras is a very interesting enclave of forts that were constructed around the 1200 AD.

Also close at hand is the fossil tree-Tiruvakkadai and Ramana Maharishi’s Ashram at Tiruvunamallai. The backwaters of Pichavaram and Chidambaram are full of mangroves and birds too. South of Pondicherry, at Chidambaram, there is a temple complex is a good example of Dravidian architecture.

World famous for its shore temples, Mahabalipuram is a pleasant little village-an ideal place for relaxation. Besides the temple relics, one can visit the Crocodile Bank too.

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park has living corals for one to see. The temple cities of Thanjavur and Kumbhakonam are also close at hand from Pondicherry.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR – Pondicherry is linked with Chennai (Madras), which is 200 km away by Vayudoot Flights.

BY RAIL – Pondicherry is connected with a meter gauge link with Chennai via Villupuram by the Pondicherry Express.

BY ROAD – Pondicherry has a good network of roads, which connects it with most of South India.

WHERE TO STAY

There are the Ashram Guest Houses and many hotels run by the ITDC where one can enjoy their holiday in Pondicherry in comfort.

Theni

Facts And Figures

Area: 2889 sq. km.
Population: 10,34,724
Altitude: 100 m above sea level
Language: Tamil, English
STD Code: 04546
Location
 One of the most important districts of Tamil Nadu, Theni is noted for its captivating scenic beauty as well as a major pilgrimage center of India. Surrounded by the green beauty of the Western Ghats, Theni is at a distance of:

498 Km from Chennai
460 Km from Bangalore
87 Km from Kodaikanal
132 Km from Palani
90 Km from Munnar
76 Km from Madurai
16 Km from Bodinayakanur
16 Km from Andipatti
13 Km from Ambasamudram
9 km from Lakshmipuram
16km from Periyakulam
Best Time To Visit
The temperature at Theni, one of Tamil Nadu’s premier tourist districts ranges from 39.5oC to a minimum temperature of 25.8oC. Thus, the best time to visit the region would be almost throughout the year, though the monsoons and the winters are definitely preferable to the comparatively warmer summers.

History
The district of Theni was created as a result of a bifurcation of the erstwhile Madurai district on 25th July 1996.

Tourist Attractions

Theni--Suruli

The major tourist attractions of a tour to Theni include:

Andipatti
An important center of Tamilian culture, Andipatti is made up of a number of small hamlets all of which are renowned for their handicrafts and handlooms.

Arulmigu Balasubramanya Temple
Constructed by King Rajendra Chola, this beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga and is considered to be one of the most respected shrines in Tamil Nadu. The shrine is home to an idol or vighraha of Lord Muruga, which is a six-headed idol, accompanied by the Lord’s consorts.

Places Around Theni

Theni--Suruli

The important places of tourist interest located around Theni are:

Vellappar Temple, Mavoothu
Located 20 kms away from Andipatti, this beautiful temple is home to vigrahas or idols of Lord Vinayaka and Saptakannikas, which make it one of the holiest shrines of the region. A large number of devotees come to the temple each day which is also the site of a spring that is believed to have curative powers and can cure even the most incurable diseases.

Kamatchi Amman Temple
Located amidst the pristine beauty of the district of Devadanapatti, the Kamatchi Amman Temple is situated on the banks of the Manjal River around 3 kms from Devadanapatti in Theni District. One of the most distinctive features of the temple is the fact that the doors to the sanctum sanctorum always remain closed and all the prayers and offerings are presented to the portals. Evenings are magically musical at the temple and the entire region comes alive to the sacred tunes of the hymns dedicated to the deity of the temple.

Fairs & Festivals
The festivals of Theni are varied and add an extra spark of life to the town’s daily lives. Notable among these are:

Pongal
Like the other parts of Tamil Nadu, Theni is known for its brilliant celebration of Pongal, which is considered to be one of the most important festivals of Tamil Nadu. Thus if you are planning a tour to Theni you could try the distinctive flavor of Pongal to get the true essence of Tamilian culture.

Masi Maham and Shivarathri
The most important festivals of the region are the festivals of Masi Maham and Shivarathri which are celebrated in the Kamatchi Amman Temple during the months of February-March.

How to reach
By Air:
The nearest airport to Theni is at Madurai.

By Rail:
A number of railway tracks link Theni to most of the cities and regions of Tamil Nadu. Theni is also the main route for the tourists traveling from Madurai to Kochi via Bodinayakanur and Munnar and from Madurai to the Thekkadi wildlife sanctuary.

By Road:
Theni is well-connected to a number of neighboring cities by an efficient network of roads. The roads connecting Theni are well-maintained and comfortable which help in adding an extra dash of fun if you are planning a tour to Theni.

coonoor

FACTS & FIGURES

Language Tamil and English
Best time to visit October-March
STD Code 0423
INTRODUCTION

Coonoor is the second largest hill station located in the Nilgiri hills. It is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds. Coonoor provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. Travelers can also enjoy the ride on the toy train, which connect Coonoor with other hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills.

LOCATION

Coonoor is located in the western part of the state of Tamilnadu, in the southern region of India, at the head of the Hulikal ravine at an altitude of 1850 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Ooty. The weather in Coonoor is pleasant. Summers (April-June) are mild, while winters (November-February) are cool. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Coonoor is between the months of October and March.

HISTORY

coonoor

The Nilgiri hills have been the home of the Toda tribe for centuries. Coonoor began to develop as a tourist destination in the 19th century when the British made Ooty a popular hill station.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

 Coonoor provides the traveler with the panoramic view of the lush green Nilgiri hills, with its ravines, valleys, and waterfalls. Bird watching is a popular pastime in Coonoor, as the area boasts of a large variety of species like cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiri verditer, etc. The Sim’s Park is an important place to visit in Coonoor. It is a 12-hectare park, having a collection of over 1,000 plant species, which include magnolia, pines, tree ferns, and camellia. Travelers can take a walk through the tea gardens. There are number of trekking and hiking trails around Coonoor. Travelers can enjoy the exhilarating and unique ride on the toy train that connects Coonoor with Mettupalayam and Ooty. The trip provides some breathtaking views of the Nilgiri hills in all its natural glory.

PLACES AROUND COONOOR

coonoor-the-nilgiris

The Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint, which is 10 km from Coonoor, is an important place to visit. It not only provides a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Nilgiri hills but also of the famous Catherine Falls. En route to Dolphin’s Nose, and about 5½ km from Coonoor, lies Lamb’s Rock, another vantage point to view the spectacular landscape. The famous hill station of Ooty is 19 km northwest of Coonoor. Ooty is the popularly known as the queen of the southern Indian hill stations and is an immensely popular tourist destination. Like Coonoor, Ooty is also set amongst the green settings of the Nilgiri hills and is famous for its lake, gardens, and colonial architecture. Travelers can enjoy a number of outdoor activities like horse riding, trekking, hiking, and boating in Ooty.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Every year in the month of May, a fruit and vegetable show is held in Coonoor. A tea and tourism festival is held every winter.

HOW TO REACH

Coonoor does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore. Coonoor is on the toy-train line between Mettupalayam (28 km) and Ooty. Coonoor is well connected by road with Ooty, Coimbatore, and Kotagiri. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.

WHERE TO STAY

We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Coonoor.

Ooty

FACTS & FIGURES

Area  321 sq km 
Languages Spoken  Tamil, English 
Altitude  350-1,266 m above sea level 
Maximum Temperature  24.30°C
Minimum Temperature  4.80°C 
Best Time to Visit  June to September and October to December 
STD Code  0423 (Ooty) 
INTRODUCTION

There is something special about Ooty. The lush vegetation and the lavender-blue sheen of the mountains offer a promise of a summer of peace

LOCATION INFORMATION OF OOTY

botanical-garden-ooty

 Couched amidst those gorgeous blue mountains of southern India, there is something special about the erstwhile British township of Ooty. Year after year, it draws tourists, adventure enthusiasts, honeymooners and the film industry like bees to nectar. Sure, many wise travelers believe that Ooty is a dumpyard, a degraded, over-rated hill station, and so on. Nevertheless, the wiser one will see how Ooty can soothe strung-up nerves and become the backdrop for a wondrous holiday.

Ooty nestles in an amphitheatre created by four majestic hills-Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill and Club Hill. These hills are part of the Nilgiri ranges that are really the meeting point for the Western and the Eastern Ghats. But why the ‘blue’ mountains-one would naturally wonder at the name. Do rest assured, when the lavender-blue flowers of the famous Strobilanthes cover the hills in floral profusion, it would be time to stop wondering, for it is these funnel-shaped blossoms that are the reason for the name.

Although signboards all around scream and beg to make people call this 36-sq-km hill resort Udhagamandalam, their pleas obviously fell on deaf ears. Ooty will always be Ooty to everyone. As the blaze of the afternoon sun gives way to a nippy evening, one can make his way towards the nearby lake. This part of Ooty was once a huge bog with a west-flowing stream. In 1824, the lower part of the stream was converted into a lake. Though the lake seems ordinary enough, what really gets the tourists all excited is the warmth and buzz of activity in the vicinity. There is a boathouse where rowboats and motorboats can be had on hire. A Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation venture, it remains open from 8 AM to 6 PM. Sitting at the edge of the lake and watching the sun dipping down to herald darkness, is a soothing experience, to put it lightly.

The beautiful Botanical Gardens are, in a word, Ooty’s milestone. Reaching the sprawling maze of greens and blooms, up northeast of the township, one’s first thought is of the incredible influence of British rule in India. And these images, reminiscent of the Raj, were all over Ooty. Not surprising, considering that the hill resort as we know it now was founded by the British, in the early 1800s, to serve as the Madras Government’s summer headquarters. The Botanical Gardens of Ooty, established in 1847, are much like the typical, manicured and planned gardens one sees so often. But the real beauty of the place is its plants-an amazingly diverse array with trees, shrubs and herbs of a mindboggling number of species. And the flowers were really something to write home about. Was it the altitude-Ooty nestles at 2240 m above sea level-and the rarefied air, or the lack of polluted air that gave these flowers an added shine and gloss? They smiled from everywhere as one ambles about the lovely, spread-out profusion. The fossil tree trunk that one sees here is believed to be 20 million years old!

The great charm of Ooty is not so much the specific tourist destination; it is, in fact, the long lovely walks that it offers. Anywhere you go, the serenity of the Nilgiris will be all around you. Specially the strategic points from where one could either see Ooty or the view all around, like Snowdon, Ketty Valley, the Wenlock Downs and, of course, Doddabetta. Further, one could hire a horse either near the boathouse or at the Savoy-for a slightly more exhilarating excursion in and around town.

 Ooty is a haven for the seeker of sports, adventure or otherwise-from hiking and riding to fishing for trout and playing tennis and snooker. Then, of course, there is the gorgeously scenic golf course tucked away in the northwest almost straight across town from the Gardens. Many avid golfers believe that the links of the Ooty Gymkhana Club are among the best in the world. Then there is the Race Course, in the heart of town. Today, Ooty has shot up on the demand charts of the Bombay (Mumbai) film industry, and with the southern filmmakers already there, the resort faces quite a glut of starry stuff. With a large number of popular hill stations of the Himalayas snuffed out or made inaccessible by violence and political upheaval, Ooty is now a hot spot for the filmwallah. So you mustn’t be rattled to find your peaceful walks punctuated by sudden crowds and an outlandishly attired couple running around a grove of eucalyptus tree.

The eucalyptuses are quite a part of the Ooty landscape. They even fuel a small oil industry, so it is common to find eucalyptus oil in the shops at Ooty. These tall, lanky trees seemed much at home on the slopes around. Many a traveler may feel that Ooty and the Nilgiris lack the awe, mystique and drama of the Himalayas. One can only feel sorry for the cynical traveler who failed to catch the pulse of Ooty’s charm. More so the Nilgiris. For the lush green serenity of these southern hills of India would be difficult to find anywhere else. A summer of peace and uncluttered, cool days is what the Nilgiris offer, with their resonant echoes of a rich and tangible Dravidian culture.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS INFORMATION OF OOTY

botanical-garden-ooty

All along the hill slopes in the Nilgiri Mountains, you will find that omnipresent, glossy, stout bush with fragrant white or pink flowers and a melodious name camellia (Camellia thea). Tea, brought to the Nilgiris in the 1860s, is amongst India’s most prominent plantation crops, what with the country being the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of black tea. This is perhaps why the slopes of the Nilgiris, all round Ooty, Coonoor and the like, seem to have tea bushes almost like a second skin.

 Processed tender leaves and leaf buds compose the tea of commerce. This agro-industry flourishes on the hillsides of the Nilgiris and experts say that tea growing at a higher elevation would have a flavor superior to that growing at lower heights. This flavor and distinctive character of the popular beverage is from essential oils and alkaloids present in the plant. But then, all this is after a long manufacturing process that is carried out in industrial units on the plantation itself or nearby. From harvesting to curing, rolling and fermentation, to drying and grading, the process is delicate and tedious. There are minor variations depending on the kind of tea being produced. The delicacy of the job of picking ‘two leaves and a bud’ is perhaps testified by the fact that pickers are always women or children.

And so, it is the camellia bushes, with their sheen and gloss that green the Blue Mountains, providing raw material for a huge industry and employment for many in the land of the Strobilanthes.

EXCURSIONS INFORMATION OF OOTY

Ooty has the singular distinction of having many places around that are worthy of a visit, or sometimes even a halt. Heading east from the southeast of Ooty will take one to Coonoor and Wellington, two very beautiful townships. Coonoor, though small, had much to boast of Sim’s Park, Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose and generally pretty landscape. Wellington, of course, is a typical army township, clean and smart. Coonoor may easily charm one enough to stay longer, with its lush, tea bush slopes and attractive British houses.

About 28 km from Ooty, towards the east, is the 26-sq-km Kotagiri, incredibly picturesque, amongst the first townships of the British and a great place to visit. From Kotagiri one can even proceed to the Kodanad View, Catherine Falls or Rangaswamy Peak, all famous for their natural beauty.

The famous Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, 67 km from Ooty, stretches over 321 sq km. Traveling to Ooty from Mysore and Bangalore, one passes the sanctuary with its dense vegetation crowding the banks of the lovely Mayar River. Herds of wild elephants, or lone tuskers, a great variety of birds, cats, snakes, and deer are known to live in these cool, dark jungles of the Nilgiris.

Ten kilometers out of Ooty is the great Doddabetta Peak, the highest in the Nilgiri chain of mountains. Doddabetta stands at 2623 m and if your trip is made on a clear day visible all around you will be Coonoor, Wellington, Mettupalayam, and Coimbatore. If it’s an exceptionally crisp day, you might even see Mysore.

Avalanche, Upper Bhavani, Mukurti and Pykara are all places that are near Ooty and must be seen for their scenery. The reservoirs at Avalanche and Upper Bhavani are excellent waters for angling with the rainbow trout in particular abundance. All these places have an attractive mixed landscape of forests, shola-grasslands and tea-filled slopes.

Finally, for the scientifically curious, en route to Avalanche from Ooty is India’s largest radio telescope. So also the Hindustan Photo Films in the Wenlock Downs, the only factory of its kind in India, manufacturing sensitized photographic materials.

THE NARROW TRAIL – This is a journey nobody should miss. A journey where you jostle with unimaginable crowds and squeeze into tiny coaches, a journey where you feel you can actually reach out and touch the elusive Nilgiris. It starts at Mettupalayam, 46 km southeast of Ooty, where you board the Blue Mountain Express that gets pushed by an engine instead of being pulled!

When you hear frequent references to the Ooty mountain train, you would somehow conjure up Lilliputian images of people sitting in orderly, storybook fashion. That’s sure mistake, for this small train of the Nilgiris couldn’t be more full, with human forms oozing from every pore! And if you still harbor rosy images, try clambering on from Coonoor where it stops en route to Mettupalayam. This is a precious travel tip, mind you.

But once you’re on, it’s heaven. The overpowering Nilgiri landscape has the ability to make you oblivious of the human ocean around you and the greenery is bliss. It’s a memorable 4-5-hour journey, so don’t miss it for anything.

The region is a treasure of wildlife, with some animals even native to these southern mountain ranges. There is that deep-voiced Nilgiri langur (Presbytis johnii) with its shiny black body and yellow-brown crown. The Nilgiri langur happens to be one of the five langur species found in India and Sri Lanka. These langurs of the Nilgiris are often found in the sholas, which are amongst their favourite haunts. It’s in the sholas that you can also see the lion-tailed macaque.

The shy, timid and hard-to-spot Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius) also has its home in these blue mountains. This animal has pride of place in being the only wild goat to inhabit any region south of the Himalayas. It has a short coat, dark yellow brown in color, and prefers to inhabit craggy regions above forest level. The Nilgiris are home to a great variety of carnivorous animals like tigers, panthers, jackals and hyenas. Elephants, wildcats, civet cats, giant squirrels and mongoose are also part of Nilgiri fauna. The Nilgiri marten, nightjar, hill mynah, and golden oriole are some of the region’s avifauna. In essence, this range of mountains harbors a massive diversity of animal life.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION OF OOTY

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). All the important towns of Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka are connected to Ooty by road. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION OF OOTY

We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Ooty.Tourism-of-India.com provides complete tourist information of Ooty, tourism in Ooty. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Ooty Pleasant.