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{{For|the Indian film|Ooty (film)}}
{{About|the place in Tamil Nadu|the place in Kerala|Mini Ooty|}}
{{Short description|Hill station city in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Short description|Hill station city in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{About|the place in Tamil Nadu|the place in Kerala|Mini Ooty|the Indian film|Ooty (film)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ooty
| name = Ooty
| official_name = Udhagamandalam
| official_name = Ootacamund
| other_name = {{small|Ootacamund}}
| other_name = Udagamandalam
| settlement_type = Hill station, City
| settlement_type = Town
| nickname = Queen of hill stations<ref name="HT">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/queen-of-hill-stations-ooty/story-8hzUEFwYQSNKw1CQUUUmBJ.html|title=Queen of hill stations-Ooty|date=9 October 2012|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227165251/https://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/queen-of-hill-stations-ooty/story-8hzUEFwYQSNKw1CQUUUmBJ.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| translit_lang2 =  
| translit_lang2 =  
| image_skyline = Ooty Town Winter Morning from Gem Park P1040150e.jpg
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Ooty lake.jpg
| photo2a = Pykara Falls (16473434961).jpg
| photo3a = Government Botanical Garden Ooty India.jpg
| spacing = 1
| size = 250
| position = center
| border = 0
| color = #000000
| foot_montage =  '''From top''': [[Ooty Lake]]; [[Pykara|Pykara falls]] and [[Government Botanical Garden]]
}}
| image_alt =  
| image_alt =  
| image_caption = View from Gem Park, toward Coonoor Road
| image_caption =  
| map_alt =  
| map_alt =  
| map_caption =  
| map_caption =  
Line 22: Line 32:
| coordinates = {{coord|11.41|N|76.70|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|11.41|N|76.70|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_type3 = District
| subdivision_type3 = District
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kongu Nadu]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[The Nilgiris District|Nilgiris District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[The Nilgiris District|Nilgiris District]]
| established_title =  
| established_title =  
| established_date =  
| established_date = 1821
| founder =  
| founder =  
| named_for =  
| named_for =  
| government_type = Special Grade Municipality
| government_type = Special Grade Municipality
| governing_body = Udhagamandalam Municipality
| governing_body = Udagamandalam Municipality
| leader_party = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
| leader_title = Chairperson
| leader_name = M. Vanieshwari<ref name="Muncip">{{cite web|url=https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/municipal-councillor/|title=Municipal details, Uthagamandalam|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>
| leader_title1 = Vice Chairman
| leader_name1 = J. Ravikumar<ref name="Muncip"/> ([[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]])
| unit_pref = Metric
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =  
| area_footnotes = <ref name="MT">{{cite web|url=https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/|title=Udagamandalam|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=8 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208041652/https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 36
| area_total_km2 = 30.36
| area_rank =  
| area_rank =  
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="municipality">{{cite web|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/ooty/abt-muni.htm |title=About Municipality |access-date=15 February 2008 |publisher=municipality.tn.gov.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115070843/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/ooty/abt-muni.htm |archive-date=15 January 2008}}</ref>
| elevation_m = 2240
| elevation_m = 2240
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="MT"/>
| population_total = 88,430
| population_total = 88,430
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_as_of = 2011
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| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =  
| population_rank =  
| population_demonym = Ootian, Ootacamandian, Udhaghai
| population_demonym = Ootian, Ootacamandian, Udaghaikaran
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_title1 = Official
Line 51: Line 67:
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 643 001
| postal_code = 643001
| area_code = 91423
| area_code = 91423
| area_code_type = Tele
| area_code_type = Tele
| registration_plate = TN-43
| registration_plate = TN-43
| blank1_name_sec1 = Civic agency ooty homes
| website = [https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/ tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/]
| blank1_info_sec1 = Udhagamandalam Municipality
| footnotes =  
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|Subtropical Highland]] <small>([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])</small>
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|Subtropical Highland]] <small>([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])</small>
| website =
| footnotes = Temperature from Batchmates.com<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.batchmates.com/bmtimes/content.aspx?contentId=1471 |title=Ooty: In the Lap of the Nilgiris |access-date=15 February 2008 |publisher=batchmates.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224224950/http://www.batchmates.com/bmtimes/content.aspx?contentId=1471 |archive-date=24 February 2011}}</ref>
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| blank2_name_sec2 = [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]]
| blank2_name_sec2 = [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]]
| blank2_info_sec2 = {{convert|1238|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| blank2_info_sec2 = {{convert|1100|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| blank3_name_sec2 = Avg. annual temperature
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| blank3_info_sec2 = {{convert|14.4|°C|°F|0}}
}}
}}


'''Ooty''' ({{audio|Ooty.ogg|listen}}), officially known as '''Udhagamandalam''' (also known as '''Ootacamund''' ({{audio|Ootacamund.ogg|listen}}); abbreviated as '''Udhagai'''), is a [[town]]<ref name=":1" /> and a [[municipality]] in the [[Nilgiris district]] of the [[South India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is located {{convert|86|km|abbr=on}} north west of [[Coimbatore]], 100 km (65 mi) north west of [[Tiruppur|Tirupur]],<ref name="Language" /> {{convert|128|km|abbr=on}} south of [[Mysore]] and is the headquarters of the [[Nilgiris district]]. It is a popular [[hill station]] located in the [[Nilgiri Hills]]. It is popularly called the "Queen of [[Hill Station]]s".  It was the summer capital of the [[Madras Presidency]].
'''Ooty''' ({{IPA|ta|uːʈ(ː)i|lang|Ooty.ogg}}; officially '''Udagamandalam''' ({{IPA|ta|uðɐhɐmɐɳɖɐlɐm|lang}}), [[Anglicisation|anglicized]]: '''Ootacamund''' {{audio|Ootacamund.ogg|listen}}, abbreviated as '''Udagai''', {{IPA|ta|uðɐhɐi|lang}}) is a town and [[municipality]] in the [[Nilgiris district]] of the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is located {{convert|86|km|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Coimbatore]], and is the headquarters of Nilgiris district. Situated in the [[Nilgiri Mountains|Nilgiri hills]], it is known by the epithet "King of all the [[Hill Station]]s", and is a popular tourist destination.


Originally occupied by the [[Badagas|Badaga]] and [[Toda people]], the area came under the rule of the [[East India Company]] at the end of the 18th century. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture, along with the manufacture of medicines and photographic film. The town is connected by the [[Nilgiri Ghat Roads|Nilgiri ghat roads]] and [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]]. Its natural environment attracts tourists and it is a popular summer destination.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamilnadu.com/destinations/ooty.html |title=Ooty in Tamilnadu |publisher= Tamilnadu.com |date=14 December 2012}}</ref> In 2011, the town had a population of 88,430.<ref name="census2011"/>
Originally occupied by the [[Toda people]], the area came under the rule of the [[East India Company]] in the 18th century. It later served as the [[summer capital]] of [[Madras Presidency]]. The economy is based on the [[hospitality industry]] serving tourism and agriculture. The town is connected to the plains by the [[Nilgiri Ghat Roads|Nilgiri ghat roads]] and [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]].


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The origin of the name is obscure. The first known written mention of the place is given as ''Wotokymund'' in a letter of March 1821 to the ''Madras Gazette'' from an unknown correspondent.<ref name=ooty.net>{{cite web |url=http://www.ooty.net/history.html |title=History| access-date=15 February 2008 |publisher=ooty.net}}</ref> In early times it was called ''Ottakal Mandu.'' The name probably changed under British rule from Udhagamandalam to Ootacamund, and later was shortened to Ooty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ooty.ind.in/ooty_history.php |title=Ooty History |access-date=15 February 2008| publisher=ooty.ind.in}}</ref>
The region was earlier known as ''orrai-kal manru'', with ''orrai-kal'' meaning 'single stone' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], a reference to a sacred stone revered by the local [[Toda people]] and '' manru'', a word for Toda village.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tribal Communities and Social Change|last=Mathew Chacko|first=Pariyaram|publisher=SAGE|year=2005|isbn=978-0-7619-3330-4|pages=180, 188}}</ref> It later became Udagamandalam in Tamil, which was anglicised to ''Ootacamund'' during the [[British Raj]], with ''Ootaca'' being a corruption of the local name for the region and ''mand'' was a shortened form of the local word ''mandu''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ootacamund, A History|publisher=Madras Government Press|last=Price|first=Frederick|year=1908|pages=14–15}}</ref><ref name="names">{{cite book |last=Guides |first=Rough |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eV7bEAAAQBAJ&dq=Udagamandalam+(ooty)&pg=PT813 |title=The Rough Guide to South India & Kerala |date=October 2023 |publisher=Apa Publications |page=813 |isbn=978-1-83905-950-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hariharan |first=Githa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t4y_CwAAQBAJ&dq=udagai+ooty&pg=PA79 |title=Almost Home: Finding a Place in the World from Kashmir to New York |date=22 March 2016 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-63206-061-7 |access-date=14 August 2024 |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814113513/https://books.google.com/books?id=t4y_CwAAQBAJ&dq=udagai+ooty&pg=PA79 |url-status=live |page=79 }}</ref> In a letter written to the ''[[Madras Gazette]]'' in March 1821, the name of the place is mentioned as ''Wotokymund''.<ref name="TT">{{cite web|url=https://www.tn.gov.in/district_details/582|title=Nilgiris district|access-date=15 February 2023|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=27 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727153304/https://www.tn.gov.in/district_details/582|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ootacamund'' was later shortened to ''Ooty''. It is the major town in the ''[[Nilgiris|Nilgiri hills]]'', which means "blue mountains", so named due to the [[Kurunji]] flower, which used to give the slopes a bluish tinge.<ref name="DT">{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/about-district/history/|title=Nilgiris history|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202131703/https://nilgiris.nic.in/about-district/history/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
The first part of the name (''Ootaca'') is probably a corruption of the local name for the central region of the Nilgiri Plateau.<ref>{{cite book |title=Ootacamund, A History |publisher=Madras Government Press |author=Price, Sir Frederick |year=1908 |pages=14–15}}</ref> ''Otha-Cal'' is derived from [[Tamil language|Tamil]], meaning "single stone." This is perhaps a reference to a sacred stone revered by the local Toda people.


"Mund" is the anglicised form of the [[Toda people|Toda]] word for a village, ''Mandu''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Tribal Communities and Social Change |last=Mathew Chacko |first=Pariyaram |publisher=SAGE Publications India, 2005 |year=2005 |isbn=978-0761-933-30-4 |pages=180, 188}}</ref>
== History ==
The earliest reference to Nilgiri hills is found in the Tamil [[Sangam literature|Sangam]] epic [[Cilappatikaram|Silappathikaram]] from the 5th or 6th century CE.<ref name="DT"/> The region was a land occupied by various tribes such as [[Badaga people|Badagas]], [[Toda people|Todas]], [[Kota people (India)|Kotas]], [[Irula people|Irulas]] and [[Kurumba (tribe)|Kurumbas]].<ref name="MT"/> The region was ruled by the [[Three Crowned Kings|three Tamil kingdoms]] of [[Chera dynasty|Cheras]], [[Chola dynasty|Cholas]] and [[Pandya dynasty|Pandyas]] during various times.<ref>{{cite book|title=Gazetteers of India: Nilgiris District|last2=Sahu|first2=N. K.|publisher=Government Press|year=1955|pages=3, 199–201, 866|quote=The location of the Nilgiris is unique that it was in the tri-junction of ancient Tamil kingdoms of Cholas, Cheras and the Pandyas. Hence, it was under Cheras, Cholas or local chieftains at various...|first1=Nilamani|last1=Senapati}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Maritime Heritage of India|quote=At their peak, the Cholas ruled over not just the whole of south India, but also conquered island nations..|author=Indian Navy|publisher=[[Notion Press]]|year=1989|pages=244|isbn=978-9-3520-6917-0}}</ref> The Todas are referenced in a record belonging to [[Hoysalas|Hoysala]] king [[Vishnuvardhana]] and his general Punisa, dated 1117 CE.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Francis|first1=Walter|title=Madras District Gazetteers: The Nilgiris|volume=1|year=1908|publisher=Asian Educational Services|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-8-1206-0546-6|pages=90–94,102–105}}</ref> It was also ruled by various dynasties like [[Pallavas]], [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahanas]], [[Western Ganga dynasty|Gangas]], [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadambas]], [[Rashtrakuta]]s, [[Hoysala]]s and the [[Vijayanagara empire]].<ref>{{cite book|title=South Asia and Multilateral Trade Regime: Disorders for Development|page=81|first1=C.S.|last1=Sundaresan|publisher=Regal Publications|date=1 January 2007|isbn=978-8189-915-31-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ibef.org/download/decoding-the-nilgiris.pdf|title=Decoding the Nilgiris|first=Ravi|last=Sagar|page=53|journal=India Brand Equity Foundation|quote='''Not''' even the dynastic rulers—the Cheras, the Cholas, the Pandiyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Gangas, the Pallavas, the Kadambas and the Hoysalas—can be credited with discovering this jewel (Nilgiris) in their crown.|access-date=26 March 2016|archive-date=22 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222082333/http://www.ibef.org/download/decoding-the-nilgiris.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Tipu Sultan]] captured Nilgiris in the eighteenth century and the region came into possession of [[East India Company|British]] in 1799.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kohn|first=George Childs|year=2013|title=Dictionary of Wars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qTDfAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA322|publisher=[[Routledge]]|pages=322–323|isbn=978-1-1359-5494-9|access-date=27 December 2023|archive-date=8 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108204211/https://books.google.com/books?id=qTDfAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA322#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> It became part of [[Coimbatore district]] of the [[Madras Presidency]].<ref name="TT"/>


Ooty is in the [[Nilgiris|Nilgiri hills]], meaning the "blue mountains", so named due to the [[Kurunji]] flower which blooms every twelve years giving the slopes a bluish tinge.<ref name=ooty.net/><ref name="francis" /><ref name=Evoire/>
[[File:Ootacamund_map_1903.jpg|thumb|left|Map of Udagamandalam in 1903]]


==History==
In 1818, J. C. Whish and N. W. Kindersley, assistants to [[John Sullivan (colonial administrator)|John Sullivan]], then collector of Coimbatore district, visited [[Kotagiri]] nearby and reported on the region's potential to serve as a summer retreat.<ref name="DT"/> Sullivan established his residence there and reported to the Board of Revenue on 31 July 1819. He also started work on a road from [[Sirumugai]] which was completed in May 1823 and extended up to [[Coonoor]] between 1830 and 1832.<ref name="DT"/> By 1827, it was established as a [[Sanatorium (resort)|sanatorium]] of the Madras Presidency and developed further at the behest of then Governor of Madras [[Stephen Rumbold Lushington|Stephen Lushington]]. The [[Government Botanical Garden]], covering {{cvt|51|acre}}, was established in 1842 and a library was established in 1859.<ref name="Gazetteer">{{cite book|last1=Hunter|first1=William Wilson|title=The Imperial Gazetteer Of India - Volume 19|date=1908|publisher=[[Clarendon Press]]|location=[[Oxford, England|Oxford]]|pages=238–240|edition=2|url=https://archive.org/details/TheImperialGazetteerOfIndia-Volume19/page/n247/mode/2up}}</ref>
[[File:Ootacamund_map_1903.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|Ooty in 1903]]
[[File:KITLV 92190 - Unknown - Church in Ootacamund in India - Around 1870.tif|thumb|St. Stephen's Church & Collector's office, ca. 1870]]
[[File:Milestone Zero Stone Ooty Nilgiris Jun22 A7C 02051.jpg|thumb|upright|Old milestone and zero miles marker near the Collector's Office]]


Udhagamandalam was originally a tribal land occupied by the Badaga, [[Toda people|Toda]], [[Kota people (India)|Kota]], [[Irula people|Irula]] and
Ooty was made a municipality in 1866, and civic improvements including roads, drainage, and water supply from the Marlimund and Tiger Hill reservoirs were added through Government loans.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> In August 1868, the Nilgiris was separated from the [[Coimbatore district]], and [[James Wilkinson Breeks]] was appointed its first commissioner.<ref name="DT"/> On 1 February 1882, Nilgiris was made a district, and Richard Wellesley Barlow, the then commissioner, became its first collector.<ref name="TT"/> By the early 20th century, Ooty was a well-developed hill station, with an artificial lake, various parks, religious structures, and sporting facilities for [[polo]], [[golf]], and [[cricket]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> It served as the summer capital of the [[Madras Presidency]] and as a retreat for the British officials.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Illustrated Weekly of India|date=1975|publisher=[[Bennett, Coleman & Company]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sWY6AQAAIAAJ&q=Ooty+capital+Madras+Presidency|page=39}}</ref>
[[Kurumba (tribe)|Kurumba]] people.


The Toda in Nilgiris are first referenced in a record belonging to Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana and his general Punisa, dated 1117 CE.<ref name="francis" /> The Toda people were known for raising water buffalo. The people known for farming activities.<ref name=Evoire/> Nilgiris was ruled by various dynasties like [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahanas]], [[Western Ganga dynasty|Gangas]], [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadambas]], [[Rashtrakuta]]s, [[Hoysala]]s, the [[Vijayanagara empire]] and the Rajas of [[Ummathur|Ummattur]] (on behalf of [[Wodeyars of Mysore|Wodeyars of Mysuru]]).<ref name=francis>{{cite book |last1=Francis|first1=Walter |title=Madras District Gazetteers: The Nilgiris |volume=1 |year=1908 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-2060-546-6 |pages=90–94, 102–105}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite book|title=Gazetteers of India: Nilgiris District |last2=Sahu|first2=N. K. |publisher=Government Press|year=1955|pages=3, 199–201, 866 |quote=The location of the Nilgiris is unique that it was in the tri-junction of ancient Tamil kingdoms of Cholas, Cheras and the Pandyas. Hence, it was under Cheras, Cholas or local chieftains at various... |first1=Nilamani |last1=Senapati}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=South Asia and Multilateral Trade Regime: Disorders for Development|page=81|first1=C.S.|last1=Sundaresan|publisher=Regal Publications|date=1 January 2007|isbn=978-8189-915-31-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Maritime Heritage of India|quote=At their peak, the Cholas ruled over not just the whole of south India, but also conquered island nations..|author=Indian Navy|author-link=Indian Navy|publisher=[[Notion Press]]|year=1989|pages=244|isbn=978-9352-069-17-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ibef.org/download/decoding-the-nilgiris.pdf|title=Decoding the Nilgiris|first=Ravi|last=Sagar|page=53|journal=India Brand Equity Foundation|quote='''Not''' even the dynastic rulers—the Cheras, the Cholas, the Pandiyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Gangas, the Pallavas, the Kadambas and the Hoysalas—can be credited with discovering this jewel (Nilgiris) in their crown.}}</ref> [[Tipu Sultan]] captured Nilgiris in the eighteenth century and extended the border by constructing a hideout cave-like structure.<ref name=Evoire>{{cite web|url=http://evoire.com/page/ooty/ |title=Ooty History |access-date=15 February 2008 |publisher=evoire.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924060704/http://evoire.com/page/ooty/ |archive-date=24 September 2010 }}</ref> The Nilgiris came into possession of [[British East India Company]] as part of the ceded lands, held by [[Tipu Sultan]], by the treaty of [[Srirangapatnam]] in 1799.
Post-independence, the town developed into a popular recreational resort and the nearby Wellington became the home of the [[Defence Services Staff College]] of the [[Indian Army]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dssc.gov.in/dssc-history.html|title=Defence Services Staff College|publisher=[[Indian Army]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="OT">{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/ooty|title=Ooty|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222143745/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/ooty|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 1818, J. C. Whish and N. W. Kindersley, assistants to [[John Sullivan (British governor)|John Sullivan]], then Collector of [[Coimbatore]], visited Ooty and submitted a report to him. Sullivan camped at Dimbhatti, north of [[Kotagiri]] in January 1819 and was enthralled by the beauty of the place. He wrote to Thomas Munro,
== Geography ==
" ... it resembles Switzerland, more than any country of Europe... the hills beautifully wooded and fine strong spring with running water in every valley."<ref name=john/> The Badagas of Dimbhatti ceded that part of the town to Sullivan and in May 1819, he began to build his bungalow at Dimbhatti. He also started work on a road from Sirumugai to Dimbhatti that year. The road was completed in May 1823, and extended up to [[Coonoor]] by 1830–32.<ref name=ooty.net/>
[[File:Ooty hills 2.jpg|thumb|left|Ooty is located in the [[Nilgiri Mountains|Nilgiri hills]]]]


[[Aranmore Palace]] in Ooty, served as the summer capital of the [[Madras Presidency]]; it was visited by British officials during the colonial days as a popular summer resort.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Illustrated Weekly of India|date=1975|publisher=Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sWY6AQAAIAAJ&q=Ooty+capital+Madras+Presidency|language=en}}</ref> Soldiers were sent to nearby [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu|Wellington]] to recuperate. Wellington is the home of the [[Madras Regiment]] of the [[Indian Army]].<ref name=Ootyhist>''History of Ootacamund'' by Sir Frederick Price, Madras Government Press, 1908.</ref><ref name=Ootyhist2>''Sir Arthur Lawley, Eloquent Knight Errant,'' D. J. Hogg. Chapter 5: "Ruler of the Raj, Ooty, Lady Lawley Cottage" (Western Australian Red Cross), 2008 iBooks.</ref> After Independence, it developed into a popular hill resort.
Ooty is located in the Nilgiri hills, which are part of the [[Western Ghats]] in the [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]]. It is separated from the neighboring state of [[Karnataka]] by the [[Moyar River|Moyar river]] in the north and from the [[Anaimalai]] and [[Palani hills]] in the south by the [[Palghat Gap]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nilgiri-Hills|title=Nilgiri Hills|publisher=[[Britannica]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=8 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008080254/https://www.britannica.com/place/Nilgiri-Hills|url-status=live}}</ref> It is situated at an altitude of {{convert|2240|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level.<ref name="MT"/> The total area of the town is {{convert|30.36|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="MT"/> [[Doddabetta]] is the highest peak ({{convert|2623|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}) in the Nilgiris, about {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} from Ooty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Udagamandalam|title=Udagamandalam|publisher=[[Britannica]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>


== Geography and climate ==
[[Ooty Lake]] is an artificial lake covering {{convert|65|acre|abbr=on}} created in 1824.<ref name="OL">{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/ooty-lake/|title=Ooty Lake|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]}}</ref> The [[Pykara]], a river located {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}} from Ooty, rises at [[Mukurthi]] peak and flows through a series of cascades with the last two falls of {{convert|55|m}} and {{convert|61|m}} known as Pykara falls.<ref name="PL">{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/pykara-ooty/|title=Pykara|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=4 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004232243/https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/pykara-ooty/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kamaraj Sagar Dam]] is located {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} from the Ooty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Kamraj_Sagar(Sandy_Nalla)_Dam_D06323|title=Kamraj Sagar Dam|publisher=WRIS, [[Government of India]]|access-date=23 August 2016}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Emerald Lake, Ooty|Emerald Lake]], [[Avalanche Lake, Ooty|Avalanche Lake]] and Porthimund Lake are other lakes in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/avalanche-ooty/|title=Avalanche|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808150032/https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/avalanche-ooty/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Location ===
Ooty is situated in the [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]]. Many of the forested areas and water bodies are off-limits to most visitors in order to protect this fragile ecosystem. Some areas of the Biosphere Reserve have been earmarked for tourism development, and steps are being undertaken to open these areas to visitors whilst conserving the area.<ref>{{cite news|title= Ban on carry bags|url = http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/04/stories/2005020401370300.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050220103729/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/04/stories/2005020401370300.htm|url-status = dead|archive-date = 20 February 2005| location=Chennai, India|work= [[The Hindu]]|date=4 February 2005}}</ref> It is situated at an altitude of {{convert|2240|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level.<ref name="municipality"/>


=== Climate ===
== Climate ==
Ooty features a [[subtropical highland climate]] (''Cwb'') under [[Köppen climate classification]].<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web|title=Climate: Ooty – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/24046/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=30 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227100008/http://en.climate-data.org/location/24046/ |archive-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> Despite its location in the tropics, in contrast with most of South India, Ooty generally features mild conditions and is spring-like throughout the year. However, night time in the months of January and February is typically cold. Temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the year; with average high temperatures ranging from about {{convert|17|-|20|C|F|0}} and average low temperatures between approximately {{convert|5|-|12|C|F|0}}.
Ooty features a [[subtropical highland climate]] (''Cwb'') under [[Köppen climate classification]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate: Ooty – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/24046/|publisher=Climate-Data|access-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227100008/http://en.climate-data.org/location/24046/|archive-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> Because of its high altitude, the temperatures are generally lower than the surrounding plains with the average between {{convert|10|-|25|C|F|0}} during summer and {{convert|0|-|21|C|F|0}} during winter.<ref name="MT"/> The highest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|29.4|C|F}} on 30 April 2024,<ref>{{cite news |date=12 May 2024 |title=Why is peninsular India reeling under heat wave and water crisis? |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/explainers/2024/May/12/explained-why-is-peninsular-india-reeling-under-heat-wave-and-water-crisis |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> and the lowest temperature recorded was {{convert|-2.1|C|F}}.<ref name=IMDextremes>
[[File:Sparrows in ooty.jpg|thumb|Sparrows in Ooty during the extremely cold winter]]
{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2020|url=https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
The highest temperature ever recorded in Ooty was {{convert|28.5|C|F}}, which by South Asian standards is very low for an all-time record high temperature. The rainy season in Ooty is extremely cold and windy with high humidity. The wind chill may fall to as low as {{convert|5|C|F}} during the day time. Wind is always high throughout the year causing Ooty to feel cold throughout the year. The lowest temperature was {{convert|-2|C|F}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://citypatriots.com/asia/india/tamil-nadu/ooty |title=Ooty in Tamil Nadu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305184727/http://citypatriots.com/asia/india/tamil-nadu/ooty |archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> The city sees on average about {{convert|1050|mm|in}} of precipitation annually, with a marked drier yet colder season from December through March.
|title=Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)|publisher=India Meteorological Department|date=December 2016
|page=M207|access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref> The town gets heavy rainfall during both south-west and north-east [[monsoon]]s and the average rainfall is about {{cvt|1100|mm|in}} of precipitation annually.<ref name="MT"/>


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
| location = Ooty (Udhagamandalam) 1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012
| location = Ooty (Udagamandalam) 1991-2020
| width = auto
| metric first = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 26.8
| Jan record high C = 27.5
| Feb record high C = 27.3
| Feb record high C = 27.3
| Mar record high C = 27.5
| Mar record high C = 27.5
Line 116: Line 122:
| May record high C = 28.0
| May record high C = 28.0
| Jun record high C = 26.1
| Jun record high C = 26.1
| Jul record high C = 22.8
| Jul record high C = 24.4
| Aug record high C = 23.0
| Aug record high C = 23.0
| Sep record high C = 23.3
| Sep record high C = 23.3
| Oct record high C = 25.5
| Oct record high C = 26.8
| Nov record high C = 25.4
| Nov record high C = 25.2
| Dec record high C = 27.4
| Dec record high C = 27.4
| year record high C = 28.5
| year record high C =  
| Jan high C = 21.4
| Jan high C = 21.4
| Feb high C = 22.1
| Feb high C = 21.9
| Mar high C = 23.2
| Mar high C = 23.3
| Apr high C = 23.3
| Apr high C = 22.7
| May high C = 22.9
| May high C = 22.8
| Jun high C = 18.7
| Jun high C = 18.8
| Jul high C = 17.7
| Jul high C = 17.2
| Aug high C = 17.7
| Aug high C = 17.5
| Sep high C = 19.2
| Sep high C = 19.1
| Oct high C = 19.3
| Oct high C = 19.0
| Nov high C = 19.5
| Nov high C = 19.1
| Dec high C = 20.9
| Dec high C = 20.9
| year high C = 20.5
| year high C = 20.4
| Jan low C = 0
| Jan low C = 6.5
| Feb low C = 5.0
| Feb low C = 7.3
| Mar low C = 7.6
| Mar low C = 9.5
| Apr low C = 10.2
| Apr low C = 11.1
| May low C = 11.8
| May low C = 11.8
| Jun low C = 7.4
| Jun low C = 11.7
| Jul low C = 5.1
| Jul low C = 11.2
| Aug low C = 9.2
| Aug low C = 11.0
| Sep low C = 7.7
| Sep low C = 10.8
| Oct low C = 5.4
| Oct low C = 10.6
| Nov low C = 3.0
| Nov low C = 9.6
| Dec low C = 0
| Dec low C = 6.9
| year low C = 5
| Jan record low C = -2.1
| Jan record low C = -2.2
| Feb record low C = 0.0
| Feb record low C = 0.0
| Mar record low C = 1.1
| Mar record low C = 1.1
| Apr record low C = 5.0
| Apr record low C = 4.0
| May record low C = 4.4
| May record low C = 4.4
| Jun record low C = 2.2
| Jun record low C = 2.2
Line 159: Line 164:
| Sep record low C = 4.4
| Sep record low C = 4.4
| Oct record low C = 0.0
| Oct record low C = 0.0
| Nov record low C = -1.8
| Nov record low C = -1.1
| Dec record low C = -1.5
| Dec record low C = -1.1
| year record low C = -2.1
| year record low C =  
| rain colour = green
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 9.7
| Jan rain mm = 4.9
| Feb rain mm = 7.4
| Feb rain mm = 5.1
| Mar rain mm = 20.6
| Mar rain mm = 22.4
| Apr rain mm = 73.1
| Apr rain mm = 84.0
| May rain mm = 98.7
| May rain mm = 123.9
| Jun rain mm = 124.1
| Jun rain mm = 147.6
| Jul rain mm = 149.4
| Jul rain mm = 152.3
| Aug rain mm = 97.9
| Aug rain mm = 116.5
| Sep rain mm = 132.1
| Sep rain mm = 117.1
| Oct rain mm = 169.6
| Oct rain mm = 189.2
| Nov rain mm = 110.4
| Nov rain mm = 144.5
| Dec rain mm = 47.7
| Dec rain mm = 49.9
| year rain mm = 1040.9
| Jan rain days = 0.7
| Jan rain days = 1.1
| Feb rain days = 0.5
| Feb rain days = 0.6
| Mar rain days = 1.3
| Mar rain days = 1.9
| Apr rain days = 5.6
| Apr rain days = 5.6
| May rain days = 8.7
| May rain days = 8.6
| Jun rain days = 10.7
| Jun rain days = 11.1
| Jul rain days = 11.2
| Jul rain days = 12.4
| Aug rain days = 10.0
| Aug rain days = 9.4
| Sep rain days = 10.1
| Sep rain days = 8.9
| Oct rain days = 11.7
| Oct rain days = 11.4
| Nov rain days = 7.6
| Nov rain days = 7.8
| Dec rain days = 3.3
| Dec rain days = 3.2
| year rain days = 82.4
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 65
| Jan humidity = 69
| Feb humidity = 62
| Feb humidity = 67
| Mar humidity = 59
| Mar humidity = 61
| Apr humidity = 66
| Apr humidity = 70
| May humidity = 73
| May humidity = 75
| Jun humidity = 84
| Jun humidity = 85
| Jul humidity = 86
| Jul humidity = 88
| Aug humidity = 87
| Aug humidity = 88
| Sep humidity = 84
| Sep humidity = 86
| Oct humidity = 84
| Oct humidity = 86
| Nov humidity = 82
| Nov humidity = 85
| Dec humidity = 72
| Dec humidity = 73
|year humidity = 75
|year humidity = 77
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
| Jand sun = 8
{{cite web
| Febd sun = 8
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| Mard sun = 8
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| Aprd sun = 8
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| Mayd sun = 7
| title = Station: Octacamund Climatological Table 1981–2010
| Jund sun = 4
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| Juld sun = 4
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| Augd sun = 4
| date = January 2015
| Sepd sun = 5
| pages = 573–574
| Octd sun = 5
| access-date = 1 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
| Novd sun = 6
{{cite web
| Decd sun = 7
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| source 1 =[[Indian Meteorological Department]]<ref>{{cite web
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]]
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| access-date = April 8, 2024
| date = December 2016
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imd.gov.in/doc/climateimp.pdf |title=Monthly mean maximum & minimum temperature and total rainfall based upon 1901-2000 data |publisher=imd.gov.in |access-date=30 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413020426/http://www.imd.gov.in/doc/climateimp.pdf |archivedate=13 April 2015 }}</ref>
| page = M207
| source 2 = ''Weather2Travel'' for sunshine <ref>{{cite web|title=Ooty Climate and Weather Averages, India.htm|url=http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/india/ooty.php|publisher=Weather2Travel|access-date=30 September 2015|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001015038/http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/india/ooty.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| access-date = 1 March 2020}}</ref>
| source =
}}
}}


==Places of interest==
==Biodiversity and wildlife==
Ooty is a popular tourist attraction with many places of interest in and around the town.
[[File:Tiger Drinking Pond Mudumalai Mar21 DSC01310.jpg|thumb|A [[Bengal tiger]] in [[Mudumalai National Park]]]]
 
Ooty forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected forest area in India.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 January 2021|title=Conservationist joins SC panel on elephant corridor case|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/conservationist-joins-sc-panel-on-elephant-corridor-case/article33678554.ece|access-date=28 January 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128055024/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/conservationist-joins-sc-panel-on-elephant-corridor-case/article33678554.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> It was declared as a protected reserve in 1986 and is part of [[UNESCO|UNESCO's]] [[Man and the Biosphere Programme]].<ref name="RD">{{cite report|author1=Ranjit Daniels, R.J.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Vijayan, V.S.|year=1996|title=The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: A Review of Conservation Status with Recommendations for a Wholistic Approach to Management|series=Working Paper No. 16|publisher=UNESCO South-South Co-operation Programme for Environmentally Sound Socio-Economic Development in the Humid Tropics|place=Paris|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001137/113753eo.pdf|access-date=27 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226111643/https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000113753_eng|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mudumalai National Park]] and [[tiger reserve]] lies on the north-western side, about {{convert|31|km|abbr=on}} from Ooty and was established in 1940 as the first wildlife sanctuary in India.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Hegde, R.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Enters, T.|title=Forest products and household economy: a case study from Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern India|date=2000|journal=Environmental Conservation|volume=27|issue=3|pages=250–259|doi=10.1017/S037689290000028X|bibcode=2000EnvCo..27..250H |s2cid=86160884|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231857621}}</ref>
===Gardens and parks===
[[File:Nilgiri_langur_(1)_by_N._A._Naseer.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|[[Nilgiri langur]] is an [[Endangered species|endangered]] primate, found only in the region]]
[[File:Botanical Garden in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.JPG|thumb|Botanical Garden in Ooty]]
The region is part of the [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]] ecoregion.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wikramanayake|first=Eric D.|title=Terrestrial ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment|date=2002|publisher=Island Press|isbn=978-1-5596-3923-1|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=284–285|oclc=48435361}}</ref> Nilgiris harbours thousands of plant species including [[medicinal plants]] and [[list of endemic plants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve|endemic]] [[flowering plant]]s.<ref name="RD"/> Stunted [[evergreen]] trees grow in [[shola]] forest patches above {{cvt|1800|m}} and are festooned with [[epiphyte]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Chandrashekara, U.M.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Muraleedharan, P.K.|author3=Sibichan, V.|year=2006|title=Anthropogenic pressure on structure and composition of a shola forest in Kerala, India|journal=Journal of Mountain Science|volume=3|issue=1|pages=58–70|doi=10.1007/s11629-006-0058-0|bibcode=2006JMouS...3...58C |s2cid=55780505|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226385585}}</ref> The native vegetation consisted of [[Meadow]]s and [[grassland]]s on the hillsides with [[shola]] forests in the valleys. When the British populated the town, invasive species of [[pine]], [[Acacia sensu lato|wattle]] and [[eucalyptus]] were planted along with [[tea|tea plantations]] and they became the dominant species replacing the native vegetation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/invasive-species-may-soon-wipe-out-shola-vegetation-from-nilgiris-report-66813|title=Invasive species may soon wipe out Shola vegetation from Nilgiris: Report|date=19 September 2019|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Down to Earth|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227190805/https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/invasive-species-may-soon-wipe-out-shola-vegetation-from-nilgiris-report-66813|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Ooty botanical garden.jpg|thumb|upright|The Government Botanical Garden]]
The [[Government Rose Garden, Ooty|Government Rose Garden]] (formerly Centenary Rose Park)<ref>{{Citation | title = Rose Park to be renamed| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]| location = India| date = 23 May 2009| url =http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/23/stories/2009052351540300.htm| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090524020214/http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/23/stories/2009052351540300.htm| url-status =dead| archive-date =24 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = A rose garden by another name causes confusion| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]| location = India| date = 17 May 2008| url =http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051751130300.htm| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080520052017/http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051751130300.htm| url-status =dead| archive-date =20 May 2008}}</ref> is the largest rose garden in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scstsenvis.nic.in/envis/new_page_53.htm |title=Tourism – Ooty |access-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102141414/http://scstsenvis.nic.in/envis/new_page_53.htm |archive-date=2 January 2010}}</ref> It is situated on the slopes of the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram of Ooty town.<ref name=rosegarden>{{cite web|url=http://www.ootybookings.in/places.php?spot=rose |title=Rose Garden |access-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102201648/http://www.ootybookings.in/places.php?spot=rose |archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> at an altitude of {{convert|2200|m}}. Today this garden has one of the largest collection of roses in the country with more than 20,000 varieties of roses of 2,800 [[cultivar]]s.<ref name=WorldRoseFederation>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldrose.org/awards/gardens/centenary.asp|title=World Federation of Rose Societies|access-date=21 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002120953/http://www.worldrose.org/awards/gardens/centenary.asp|archive-date=2 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The collection includes [[hybrid tea rose]]s, [[Garden roses#Miniature|Miniature Roses]], [[Garden roses#Polyantha|Polyanthas]], Papagena, [[Floribunda (rose)|Floribunda]], [[Rosa multiflora|Ramblers]], Yakimour and roses of unusual colours like black and green.
[[File:Xerochrysum bracteatum Everlasting flower from Ooty, India 01.jpg|thumb|[[Xerochrysum bracteatum]] – Everlasting flower from Ooty]]
The {{convert|22|acre|adj=on|order=flip}} [[Ooty Botanical Gardens]] was laid out in 1847<ref>{{Citation| last = D| first = Radhakrishnan| title = A tribute to creator of Ooty Botanical Garden| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]| location = India| date = 9 June 2009| url =http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/09/stories/2009060951000200.htm| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090612080804/http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/09/stories/2009060951000200.htm| url-status =dead| archive-date =12 June 2009}}</ref> and is maintained by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]. The Botanical Garden is lush, green, and well-maintained. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every May. The gardens have around a thousand [[species]], both [[Introduced species|exotic]] and [[native plant|indigenous]], of [[plant]]s, [[shrub]]s, [[fern]]s, [[tree]]s, [[herbal]] and [[bonsai]] plants.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Ooty to host spices show for first time | newspaper = [[The Hindu]]| location = India | date =  11 March 2010| url = http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/11/stories/2010031157580500.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100316074351/http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/11/stories/2010031157580500.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 16 March 2010}}</ref> The garden has a 20-million-year-old fossilised tree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030510/windows/main1.htm|title=Hills beckon again|publisher=Tribuneindia.com|access-date=22 January 2011}}</ref><ref name=sections>{{cite web|url=http://scstsenvis.nic.in/envis/new_page_53.htm |title=Tamil Nadu – Government Botanical Garden |publisher=Scstsenvis.nic.in |access-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102141414/http://scstsenvis.nic.in/envis/new_page_53.htm |archive-date=2 January 2010}}</ref>
 
Deer Park is located on the edge of Ooty Lake. It is the highest altitude zoo in [[India]] aside from the zoo in [[Nainital]], [[Uttarakhand]]. This park was formed to house a number of species of deer and other animals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eooty.com/ooty-deer-park.php|title=Ooty Deer Park|publisher=eOoty.com}}</ref>
 
===Lakes and dams===
[[File:Ooty Lake.jpg|thumb|Ooty Lake]]
[[Ooty lake]] covers an area of {{convert|65|acre|order=flip}}.<ref name=lake1>{{cite web|url=http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/ooty.htm |title=Ooty lake|publisher=Nilgiris.tn.gov.in |access-date=1 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114053740/http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/ooty.htm |archive-date=14 January 2011}}</ref> The [[boat house]] established alongside the lake, which offers boating facilities to tourists, is a major tourist attraction in Ooty. It was constructed in 1824 by [[John Sullivan (British governor)|John Sullivan]], the first collector of Ooty. The lake was formed by damming the mountain streams flowing down Ooty valley.<ref name=lake1/> The lake is set among groves of Eucalyptus trees with a railway line running along one bank. During the summer season in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organised for two days at the lake.<ref name=hist>{{cite web|url=http://www.ooty.com/travel/lake.htm|title=Ooty – Lake|publisher=Ooty.com|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = Summer festival in Ooty| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]| date =  27 March 2010| url =http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/27/stories/2010032762260300.htm| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100329030225/http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/27/stories/2010032762260300.htm| url-status =dead| archive-date =29 March 2010}}</ref>
 
[[Pykara]] is a river located {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}} from Ooty.<ref name="ootytravel">{{cite web | url=http://www.ooty.com/travel/pykara.htm | title=Ooty – Pykara Falls | publisher=ooty.com | access-date=19 August 2011}}</ref> The Pykara is considered very sacred by the Todas.<ref name="nilgiris">{{cite web|url=http://nilgiris.nic.in/ooty.htm |title=Pykara|access-date=19 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721173919/http://nilgiris.nic.in/ooty.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> The Pykara river rises at Mukurthi peak and passes through a hilly tract, generally keeping to the north and turns to the west after reaching the plateau's edge.<ref name="nilgiris"/> The river flows through a series of cascades; and the last two falls of {{convert|55|m}} and {{convert|61|m}} are known as Pykara falls.<ref name="nilgiris"/> The falls are approximately {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}} from the bridge on the main road. A boat house by the Pykara falls and dam is an added attraction to tourists.<ref name="ootytravel"/><ref name="hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021717590600.htm |title=Pykara power station a trendsetter |access-date=19 August 2011 |author=T, Ramakrishnan |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215012541/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021717590600.htm |archive-date=15 December 2008}}</ref> [[Kamaraj Sagar Dam]] (also known as Sandynalla reservoir)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nwea.in/conservation/the-romance-of-the-nilgiri-trout.html |title=The Romance of the Nilgiri Trout:Coarse Fishing |publisher=Nwea.in |access-date=3 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721175621/http://nwea.in/conservation/the-romance-of-the-nilgiri-trout.html |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> is located {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} from the Ooty bus stand.<ref>{{cite news|title = Kamaraj Sagar Dam and Pykara Lake being polluted|newspaper = [[The Hindu]]|date =  6 November 2008| url = http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110651190500.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108194838/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110651190500.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date=8 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/tourist_info.htm |title=Nilgiris tourist info|publisher=Nilgiris.tn.gov.in |access-date=3 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831232048/http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/tourist_info.htm |archive-date=31 August 2010}}</ref> It is a picnic spot and a film shoot location on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ooty-tourism.com/tourist-places.html|title=Kamraj sagar lake|publisher=Ooty-tourism.com|access-date=3 February 2011}}</ref> The various tourist activities at the dam include fishing and studying nature and the environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/ooty.htm |title=Kamraj Sagar (Sandynallah Reservoir) |publisher=Nilgiris.tn.gov.in |access-date=3 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114053740/http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/ooty.htm |archive-date=14 January 2011 }}</ref> Parsons Valley Reservoir is the primary water source for the town and is mainly in a reserved forest and thus largely off-limits to visitors. [[Emerald Lake, Ooty|Emerald Lake]], [[Avalanche Lake, Ooty|Avalanche Lake]] and Porthimund Lake are other lakes in the region.
 
===Tribal huts and museum===
[[File:Toda Hut.JPG|thumb|Traditional Toda Dogle]]
 
There are a few traditional Toda {{Pslink|Toda_people|Houses|nopage=y}} (known as Dogles) on the hills above the Botanical Garden, where Todas still dwell. There are other Toda settlements in the area, notably Kandal Mund near Old Ooty. Although many Toda have abandoned their traditional distinctive huts for concrete houses,<ref>{{Cite news
|last=Walker
|first=Anthony R.
|title=The Truth About The Toda
|newspaper=Frontline, The Hindu
|year=2004
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2105/stories/20040312000206600.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013183019/http://hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2105/stories/20040312000206600.htm
|url-status=usurped
|archive-date=13 October 2007
}}</ref> a movement is now afoot to build tradition barrel-vaulted huts, and during the last decade forty new huts have been built and many Toda sacred dairies renovated.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Chhabra |first=Tarun |title=How Traditional Ecological Knowledge addresses Global Climate change: the perspective of the Todas – the indigenous people of the Nilgiri hills of South India |journal=Proceedings of the Earth in Transition: First World Conference |year=2005 |url=http://www.ser.org/iprn/pdf/Tarun_Chhabra.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904232848/http://www.ser.org/iprn/pdf/Tarun_Chhabra.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref>
 
The Tribal Museum is part of the campus of Tribal Research Centre which is in Muthorai Palada ({{convert|10|km|abbr=on|disp=or}} from Ooty town). It is home to rare artifacts and photographs of tribal groups of Tamil Nadu as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and anthropological and archaeological primitive human culture and heritage. The Tribal Museum also displays houses belonging to Toda, Kota, Paniya, Kurumba, and Kanikarans.
 
===Nilgiri Mountain Railway===
[[File:Ooty hill train.jpg|alt=Nilgiri Mountain Railway|thumb|Nilgiri Mountain Railway]]
The [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] was built by the British in 1908,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944/|title=Mountain Railways of India|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=1 March 2010}}</ref> and was initially operated by the Madras Railway Company. The railway still relies on its fleet of [[steam locomotive]]s.<ref name="BBC-Indian-Hill-railways">{{cite video|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qzzlm|title=Indian Hill Railways: The Nilgiri Mountain Railway|date=21 February 2010|access-date=1 March 2010|medium=TV|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref> ''Indian Hill Railways (2010). [DVD]. England. 3DI Production for BBC4.</ref> NMR comes under the jurisdiction of the newly formed Salem Division. In July 2005, [[UNESCO]] added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the [[World Heritage Site]] of [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]], the site then became known as "Mountain Railways of India."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|title=Mostar, Macao and Biblical vestiges in Israel are among the 17 cultural sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/135/|access-date=2022-03-27|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref> after it satisfied the necessary criteria, thus forcing abandonment of the modernisation plans. For the past several years diesel locomotives have taken over from steam on the section between [[Coonoor]] and [[Udhagamandalam]]. Local people and tourists have led a demand for steam locos to once again haul this section.<ref name="BBC-Indian-Hill-railways" />
 
===Historical buildings===
[[File:Fernhills Palace, Ooty.JPG|thumb|Fernhills Palace]]
[[Stone House, Ooty|Stone House]] is the first [[bungalow]] constructed in Ooty. It was built by [[John Sullivan (British governor)|John Sullivan]] and was called ''Kal Bangala'' by the tribals (''Kal'' means ''stone'' in local tribal language). John Sullivan started building Stone House in 1822, acquiring land from the Todas at [[₹]]{{convert|1|/acre|/ha|abbr=off|disp=x| or ₹}}.<ref name=john>{{Citation| title = One Man's Ooty| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]| location = India| date = 16 January 2005}}</ref> Today, it is the official residence for the principal of the [[Government Arts College, Ooty]]<ref>{{Cite book | title=Tourist Guide to South India| year=2006| page=96| publisher=South India|isbn=81-7478-175-7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| title=South India handbook: the travel guide| last=Bradnock| first=Robert| year=2000| page=[https://archive.org/details/footprintsouthin00foot/page/153 153]| publisher=South India| isbn=1-900949-81-4| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/footprintsouthin00foot/page/153}}</ref>
[[File:Front Right Stephens Church Ooty Jun22 A7C 02028.jpg|thumb|St. Stephen's Church]]
[[St. Stephen's Church, Ooty|St Stephen's Church]] is located on the road to [[Mysore]] in Ooty,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ooty.com/worship.htm|title=Churches|access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]], India. It is one of the oldest churches in the [[Nilgiris]] district.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilnadu-tourism.com/tamil-nadu-temples/st-stephens-church.html|title=St. Stephen's Church|access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/ooty/tourist-attractions/|title=Ooty Tourist Attractions|access-date=2 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629023320/http://www.mapsofindia.com/ooty/tourist-attractions/|archive-date=29 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The church dates back to the 19th century. [[Stephen Rumbold Lushington]], the then governor of [[Madras]], who keenly felt the need for a cathedral in Ooty which was exclusively for the British, laid the foundation stone for the church on 23 April 1829, to coincide with the birthday of [[King George IV]]. St Stephen's Church was consecrated by [[John Matthias Turner]], Bishop of [[Calcutta]], on 5 November 1830. It was thrown open to public [[Eucharist|communion]] on [[Easter Sunday]] 3 April 1831. It came under the [[Church of South India]] in 1947.<ref name=hist/> The architect in charge was John James Underwood, Captain, Madras Regiment.<ref name=hist2>{{cite web|url=http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/newpages/Heritage%20_Trail.pdf |title=Ootacamund-Heritage Trail |access-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724231802/http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/newpages/Heritage%20_Trail.pdf |archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref>
 
St. Thomas Church, a [[parish]] in the [[Church of England|Anglican]] [[diocese]] of Ooty,<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Thomas Church |url=https://www.eooty.com/st-thomas-church.php |website=Eooty.com |access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> was begun in 1867, with the foundation stone being laid on 1 May by Lt. Gen. Howard Dowker. Construction was completed 20 October 1870, and its first service was held in 1871.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thiagarajan |first1=Shantha |title=St.Thomas Church Celebrates 150th Anniversary |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/st-thomas-church-celebrates-150th-anniv/articleshow/60998258.cms |access-date=16 March 2019 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Among the famous graves in the churchyard are those of [[J. J. Goodwin|Josiah John Goodwin]], the British stenographer of [[Swami Vivekananda]], and [[William Patrick Adam]], the British governor of [[Chennai|Madras]], whose grave is topped by the stunning pillar monument dedicated to [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]], the tallest structure in Ooty. The church's graveyard was used as a setting in [[David Lean]]'s 1984 movie, [[A Passage to India (film)|''A Passage to India'']], which was based on [[E. M. Forster]]'s [[A Passage to India|novel of the same name]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goodwin – Unsung Stenographer of Swami Vivekananda |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/goodwin-unsung-stenographer-of-swami-vivekananda/article5247201.ece |access-date=16 March 2019 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=St. Thomas Church |url=https://www.eooty.com/st-thomas-church.php}}</ref>
 
In 1882, the rules of the game of snooker were first drafted and codified in the "Ooty Club" by Sir Neville Chamberlain (not the [[Neville Chamberlain|Prime Minister]]). The club still houses the billiards table that was used.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 May 2020|title=On the Trail of History|url=https://wst.tv/on-the-trail-of-history/|access-date=12 July 2021|website=[[World Snooker Tour]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rao|first=Shrenik|date=10 Sep 202|title=How Snooker Originated in Ooty|url=https://madrascourier.com/insight/how-snooker-originated-in-ooty/|access-date=12 July 2021|website=Madras Courier}}</ref>
 
===Tea Factory===
Spread over an area of nearly {{convert|1|acre|spell=on|order=flip}} of land, the Ooty Tea Factory is situated close to Ooty town.  Visitors can learn about the origin of different kinds of tea leaves all across the globe and the history of tea in India. In the factory, the process of tea processing by Cut, Twist and Curl (CTC) machines is clearly displayed.  At the end of the visit, one can taste different types of tea and buy tea souvenirs.  Other nearby tea factories include Doddabetta Tea factory and Bench Mark Tea Factory.


===Radio Telescope===
The region has one of the largest [[bengal tiger]] populations.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Kalle, R.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Ramesh, T.|author3=Qureshi, Q.|author4=Sankar, K.|year=2011|title=Density of tiger and leopard in a tropical deciduous forest of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India, as estimated using photographic capture–recapture sampling|journal=Acta Theriologica|volume=56|issue=4|pages=335–342|doi=10.1007/s13364-011-0038-9|s2cid=196598615|url=}}</ref> The [[Indian elephant]] is the largest [[mammal]] in the region.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Baskaran, N.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Udhayan, A.|author3=Desai, A.A.|year=2010|title=Status of the Asian Elephant population in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, southern India|journal=Gajah|issue=32|pages=6–13|citeseerx=10.1.1.1070.6845}}</ref> The [[gaur]] is the largest [[ungulate]] in the region that frequent grasslands in the vicinity of water sources.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Ramesh, T.|author2=Sankar, K.|author3=Qureshi, Q.|name-list-style=amp|author4=Kalle, R.|year=2012|title=Group size and population structure of megaherbivores (gaur ''Bos gaurus'' and Asian elephant ''Elephas maximus'') in a deciduous habitat of Western Ghats, India|journal=Mammal Study|volume=37|issue=1|pages=47–54|doi=10.3106/041.037.0106|s2cid=86098742|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235703350|doi-access=free}}</ref> Other mega-fauna include [[Indian leopard]] and [[sloth bear]].<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Ramesh, T.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Sankar, K.|author3=Qureshi, Q.|year=2009|title=Additional notes on the diet of Sloth Bear ''Melursus ursinus'' in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve as shown by scat analysis|journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society|volume=106|issue=2|pages=204–206|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235704076}}</ref> Smaller fauna include [[Jungle cat]], [[rusty-spotted cat]], [[leopard cat]], [[dhole]], [[Golden jackal]], [[Nilgiri marten]], [[Small Indian civet]], [[Asian palm civet]], [[brown palm civet]], [[ruddy mongoose]], [[wild boar]], [[Indian pangolin]], [[Indian crested porcupine]] and [[Indian giant squirrel]].<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Baskaran, N.|author2=Venkatesan, S.|author3=Mani, J.|author4=Srivastava, S.K.|author5=Desai, A.A.|year=2011|title=Some aspects of the ecology of the Indian Giant Squirrel ''Ratufa indica'' (Erxleben, 1777) in the tropical forests of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, southern India and their conservation implications|name-list-style=amp|journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa|volume=3|issue=7|pages=1899–1908|doi=10.11609/JoTT.o2593.1899-908|doi-access=free}}</ref> [[Indian giant flying squirrel]],<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Babu, S.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Kumara, H.N.|author3=Jayson, E.A.|year=2015|title=Distribution, abundance, and habitat signature of the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel ''Petaurista philippensis'' (Elliot 1839) in the Western Ghats, India|journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society|volume=112|issue=2|pages=65–71|doi=10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i2/104925|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Kalle, R.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Ramesh, T.|author3=Qureshi, Q.|author4=Sankar, K.|year=2013|title=The occurrence of small felids in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India|journal=Cat News|issue=58|pages=32–35|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257823313}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Venkataraman, A.B.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Arumugam, R.|author3=Sukumar, R.|year=1995|title=The foraging ecology of dhole (''Cuon alpinus'') in Mudumalai Sanctuary, southern India|journal=Journal of Zoology|volume=237|issue=4|pages=543–561|doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1995.tb05014.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Kalle, R.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Ramesh, T.|author4=Qureshi, Q.|author3=Sankar, K.|year=2013|title=Observations of sympatric small carnivores in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, India|journal=Small Carnivore Conservation|volume=49|issue=4|pages=53–59|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261028357}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Kalle, R.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Ramesh, T.|author3=Sankar, K.|author4=Qureshi, Q.|year=2012|title=Diet of mongoose in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India|journal=Journal of Scientific Transactions in Environment and Technovation|volume=6|issue=1|pages=44–51|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235997878}}</ref> [[Smooth-coated otter]] groups are observed along the Moyar River.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Narasimmarajan, K.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Hayward, M.W.|author3=Mathai, M.T.|year=2021|title=Assessing the occurrence and resource use pattern of Smooth-coated Otters ''Lutrogale perspicillata'' Geoffroy (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in the Moyar River of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot|journal=IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin|volume=38|issue=1|pages=45–58|url=https://iucnosgbull.org/Volume38/Narasimmarajan_et_al_2021.pdf|access-date=24 April 2023|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030214728/https://iucnosgbull.org/Volume38/Narasimmarajan_et_al_2021.pdf|url-status=live }}</ref> Deer include [[sambar deer]], [[chital]], [[Indian spotted chevrotain]], [[Indian muntjac]], [[four-horned antelope]] and [[blackbuck]].<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Ramesh, T.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Sankar, K.|author3=Qureshi, Q.|author4=Kalle, R.|year=2012|title=Group size, sex and age composition of chital (''Axis axis'') and sambar (''Rusa unicolor'') in a deciduous habitat of Western Ghats|journal=Mammalian Biology|volume=77|issue=1|pages=53–59|doi=10.1016/j.mambio.2011.09.003|url=}}</ref> [[Monkeys]], including the endangered [[Nilgiri langur]], [[bonnet macaque]] and [[gray langur]] are also found in the region.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Ramakrishnan, U.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Coss, R.G.|year=2000|title=Recognition of heterospecific alarm vocalization by Bonnet Macaques (''Macaca radiata'')|journal=Journal of Comparative Psychology|volume=114|issue=1|pages=3–12|doi=10.1037/0735-7036.114.1.3|pmid=10739307|citeseerx=10.1.1.558.6257}}</ref> [[Nilgiri tahr]] is an [[Endangered species|endangered]] [[ungulate]] that is [[Endemism|endemic]] to the Nilgiris and is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite book|author=Prater, S. H.|orig-date=1948|year=1971|title=The book of Indian Animals|publisher=Bombay Natural History Society|place=Bombay}}</ref> [[painted bat|Bats]] are found in darker caves in the hills.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Nachiketha, S.R.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Sreepada K.S.|year=2013|title=Occurrence of Indian Painted Bat (''Kerivuola picta'') in dry deciduous forests of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Southern India|journal=Small Mammal Mail|volume=5|issue=1|pages=16–17|url=https://www.zoosprint.zooreach.org/ZoosPrintNewsLetter/SMM_June2013.pdf#page=16|access-date=24 April 2023|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811212108/https://www.zoosprint.zooreach.org/ZoosPrintNewsLetter/SMM_June2013.pdf#page=16|url-status=live }}</ref> More than 200 species of birds are found in the region.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Gokula, V.|author2=Vijayan, L.|name-list-style=amp|year=1996|title=Birds of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, India|journal=Forktail|volume=12|pages=143–152|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c1a9e03f407b482a158da87/t/5c1fb9b4562fa7219b07167c/1545583030708/Gokula-Mudumalai.pdf|access-date=24 April 2023|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412100613/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c1a9e03f407b482a158da87/t/5c1fb9b4562fa7219b07167c/1545583030708/Gokula-Mudumalai.pdf|url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[Ooty Radio Telescope]] was completed in 1970. It is part of the [[National Centre for Radio Astrophysics]] (NCRA)<ref name=iss>{{cite web|url=http://indianspacestation.com/space-institutes/120-national-centre-for-radio-astrophysics.html|title=National Centre for Radio Astrophysics|publisher=Indianspacestation.com|access-date=4 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puneeducation.net/Research/NCRA/index.aspx|title=National Centre for Radio Astrophysics|publisher=Puneeducation.net|access-date=4 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punescoop.com/story/2008/2/25/231235/589|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226020757/http://www.punescoop.com/story/2008/2/25/231235/589|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-12-26|title=Science Exhibition on 28, 29 Feb at Khodad in Junnar Taluka, Approximately 80&nbsp;km North of Pune|publisher=Punescoop.com|access-date=4 February 2011}}</ref> of the [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]] (TIFR), which is funded by the [[Government of India]] through the [[Department of Atomic Energy (India)|Department of Atomic Energy]].<ref name=ooty>{{cite web|url=http://www.ooty.com/travel/radiotelescope.htm|title=Ooty Radio Telescope|publisher=Ooty.com|access-date=4 February 2011}}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{bar box|title=Religious census|titlebar=#ddd|left1=Religion|right1=Percent(%)|float=right|bars={{bar percent|[[Hinduism|Hindu]]|Orange|64.36}}{{bar percent|[[Christianity|Christian]]|Purple|21.25}}{{bar percent|[[Islam|Muslim]]|Green|13.37}}{{bar percent|Other|Grey|1.03}}}}
{{bar box|title=Religious census|titlebar=#ddd|left1=Religion|right1=Percent(%)|float=right|bars={{bar percent|[[Hinduism|Hindu]]|Orange|64.36}}{{bar percent|[[Christianity|Christian]]|Purple|21.25}}{{bar percent|[[Islam|Muslim]]|Green|13.37}}{{bar percent|Other|Grey|1.03}}}}


According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Udhagamandalam had a population of 88,430 with a sex-ratio of 1,053 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.<ref name="census2011">{{Cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/803564-udhagamandalam-tamil-nadu.html|title=Udhagamandalam City Population Census 2011 – Tamil Nadu|publisher=Census Population}}</ref><ref name="dashboard">{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> A total of 7,781 were under the age of six, constituting 3,915 males and 3,866 females.The average literacy of the city in 2011 was 90.2%,<ref>{{cite web|title=Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> compared to the national average of 72.99%.<ref name="dashboard"/> The city had a total of 23,235 households. There were a total of 35,981 workers, comprising 636 cultivators, 5,194 agricultural labourers, 292 in household industries, 26,411 other workers, 3,448 marginal workers, 65 marginal cultivators, 828 marginal agricultural labourers, 56 marginal workers in household industries and 2,499 other marginal workers.<ref name=2011census>{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Uthagamandalam|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=688772|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> As per the religious census of 2011, Udhagamandalam had 64.36% [[Hindu]]s, 21.25% [[Christians]], 13.37% [[Muslims]], 0.03% [[Sikhs]], 0.3% [[Buddhists]], 0.4% [[Jainism|Jains]], 0.28% following other religions and 0.02% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.<ref name=religion2011>{{cite web|title=Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu|year=2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|format=XLS|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Udagamandalam had a population of 88,430 with a sex-ratio of 1,053 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.<ref name="census2011">{{cite report|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/803564-udagamandalam-tamil-nadu.html|title=Udagamandalam City Population Census 2011 – Tamil Nadu|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner, [[Government of India]]|access-date=14 August 2024|archive-date=14 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814113553/https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/803564-udagamandalam-tamil-nadu.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dashboard">{{cite report|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner, [[Government of India]]|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014|archive-date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113144743/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A total of 7,781 were under the age of six, constituting 3,915 males and 3,866 females.[[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] accounted for 28.98% and 0.30% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city in 2011 was 90.2%,<ref>{{cite report|title=Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|access-date=27 February 2016|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner, [[Government of India]]|archive-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310224309/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> compared to the national average of 72.99%.<ref name="dashboard"/> The city had a total of 23,235 households. There were a total of 35,981 workers, comprising 636 cultivators, 5,194 agricultural labourers, 292 in household industries, 26,411 other workers, 3,448 marginal workers, 65 marginal cultivators, 828 marginal agricultural labourers, 56 marginal workers in household industries and 2,499 other marginal workers.<ref name=2011census>{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Uthagamandalam|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=688772|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924144929/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=688772|url-status=live}}</ref> As per the religious census of 2011, Udagamandalam had 64.36% [[Hindu]]s, 21.25% [[Christians]], 13.37% [[Muslims]], 0.03% [[Sikhs]], 0.3% [[Buddhists]], 0.4% [[Jainism|Jains]], 0.28% following other religions and 0.02% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.<ref name=religion2011>{{cite report|title=Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu|year=2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|format=XLS|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner, [[Government of India]]|access-date=13 September 2015|archive-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913045700/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


[[Tamil Language|Tamil]] is the [[lingua franca|official language]] of Udhagamandalam. Languages native to the Nilgiris including [[Badaga language|Badaga]], [[Paniya language|Paniya]], [[Irula language|Irula]] and [[Kurumba language|Kurumba]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The encyclopaedia of Dravidian tribes|volume=2|year=1996|publisher=International School of Dravidian Linguistics|author=International School of Dravidian Linguistics|page=170}}</ref> Due to its proximity to the neighbouring states of [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]] and being a tourist destination, [[Malayalam]], [[Kannada]] and [[English language|English]] are also spoken and understood to an extent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/ooty/languages.html |title=Languages in Ooty |access-date=16 February 2008 |publisher=mapsofindia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302205044/http://www.mapsofindia.com/ooty/languages.html |archive-date= 2 March 2008}}</ref> According to the 2011 census, the most widely spoken languages in Udhagamandalam taluk were [[Tamil language|Tamil]], spoken by 88,896, followed by [[Badaga language|Badaga]] with 41,213 and [[Kannada language|Kannada]] with 27,070 speakers.<ref name="Language">{{cite web |title=Census of India – Language |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html |website= censusindia.gov.in |access-date= 17 April 2020}}</ref>
Tamil is the [[lingua franca|official language]] of Udagamandalam. Languages native to the Nilgiris including Badaga, [[Paniya language|Paniya]], [[Irula language|Irula]] and [[Kurumba language|Kurumba]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The encyclopaedia of Dravidian tribes|volume=2|year=1996|publisher=International School of Dravidian Linguistics|author=International School of Dravidian Linguistics|page=170}}</ref> Due to its proximity to the neighboring states of [[Kerala]] and Karnataka and being a tourist destination, [[Malayalam]], [[Kannada]] and [[English language|English]] are also spoken and understood to an extent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/ooty/languages.html|title=Languages in Ooty|access-date=16 February 2008|publisher=mapsofindia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302205044/http://www.mapsofindia.com/ooty/languages.html|archive-date= 2 March 2008}}</ref> According to the 2011 census, the most widely spoken languages in Udagamandalam taluk were Tamil, spoken by 88,896, followed by [[Badaga language|Badaga]] with 41,213 and [[Kannada language|Kannada]] with 27,070 speakers.<ref name="Language">{{cite web|title=Census of India – Language|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner, [[Government of India]]|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101020704/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Administration and politics==
==Administration and politics==
Ooty is the district headquarters of the [[Nilgiris district]].<ref name=nilgirihills>{{cite web|url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf |title=List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies |access-date=10 October 2008 |work=Election Commission of India |publisher=Election Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031131000/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2008}}</ref> The Ootacamund assembly constituency is part of the [[Nilgiris (Lok Sabha constituency)|Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web| url = http://nilgirihills.in/ooty.html| title = Hill Station in Nilgiri Hills| access-date = 16 February 2008| publisher = nilgirihills.in| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110513011315/http://nilgirihills.in/ooty.html| archive-date = 13 May 2011}}</ref>
Ooty is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district.<ref name="TT"/> The town is part of the [[Udagamandalam Assembly constituency]] which forms part of the [[Nilgiris (Lok Sabha constituency)|Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency]].<ref>{{cite report|url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf|title=List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies|access-date=10 October 2008|publisher=[[Election Commission of India]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206012938/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf|archive-date=6 February 2009}}</ref> The town is administered by Udagamanadalam municipality which was established in 1866 and the town is divided into 36 wards.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2019/12/WARD-MAP-.pdf|title=Ward map, Udagamanadalam|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=23 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823051630/https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2019/12/WARD-MAP-.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The municipality is responsible for water services, sewage disposal and maintenance of public infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/water-supply|title=Water supply, Udagamanadalam|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=25 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525121305/https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/water-supply/|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Culture ==
==Economy==
===Recreation===
[[File:Tea Rows Monarch Ooty Nilgiris Mar21 A7C 00291.jpg|thumb|Tea plantations in Ooty]]
[[File:Ooty club.gif|thumb|Ootacamund Club (c.1905)]]
Ooty is a market town for the surrounding area, which is still largely dependent on [[agriculture]]. Vegetables cultivated include [[potato]], [[carrot]], [[cabbage]] and [[cauliflower]] and fruits include [[peach]], [[plum]], [[pear]] and [[strawberry]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/watch-organic-farming-is-catching-on-in-the-nilgiris/article67554204.ece|title=Organic farming is catching on in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris|date=20 November 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=23 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823051809/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/watch-organic-farming-is-catching-on-in-the-nilgiris/article67554204.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> There is a daily wholesale auction of these products at the [[Ooty Municipal Market]].{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} [[Dairy farming]] has long been present in the area, and there is a cooperative dairy manufacturing [[cheese]] and skimmed [[milk powder]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2008/nov/02/oldest-dairy-farm-in-ooty-faces-closure-3816.html|title=Oldest dairy farm in Ooty faces closure|newspaper=[[New Indian Express]]|date=2 November 2008|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227190806/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2008/nov/02/oldest-dairy-farm-in-ooty-faces-closure-3816.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Floriculture]] and [[sericulture]] are also practised, as is the cultivation of [[mushroom]]s. The local area is known for [[tea]] cultivation. [[Nilgiri tea]] is a [[black tea]] variety unique to the region.<ref name="van Driem 2019">{{cite book|title=The Tale of Tea A Comprehensive History of Tea from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day|first=George|last=van Driem|year=2019|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-9-0043-8625-9}}</ref>
[[File:"Dodabetta".jpg|thumb|View of Ooty from Doddabetta Peak (ca. 2016)]]
[[File:Dinosaurs Set in Thunder World Amusement Park - Ooty,Tamil Nadu.JPG|thumb|Dinosaurs Set in Thunder World Amusement Park, Ooty]]


[[Snooker]] originated on the billiard tables of the Ootacamund Club, invented by an army officer [[Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain]].<ref name="origins">>Maume, C.[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990426/ai_n14219294 "Sporting Vernacular 11. Snooker"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225163312/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990426/ai_n14219294 |date=25 February 2007 }}, ''The Independent'', 26 April 1999, (Retrieved 25 February 2007).</ref> There was also a cricket ground with regular matches played between teams from the Army, the Indian Civil Service and the business sector. Visiting teams would come from various parts of India as well as from the island of Ceylon.
The [[Indian Immunologicals Limited|Human Biologicals Institute]], established in 1999, is involved in [[vaccine]] manufacturing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/drug-approvals-launches/indian-immunologicals-ltd-commemorates-25-yrs-of-human-biologicals-institute-announces-new-vaccines/105508549|title=commemorates 25 yrs of Human Biologicals Institute, announces new vaccines|date=26 November 2023|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227190805/https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/drug-approvals-launches/indian-immunologicals-ltd-commemorates-25-yrs-of-human-biologicals-institute-announces-new-vaccines/105508549|url-status=live}}</ref> Other manufacturing industries located on the outskirts include [[Ketti]] (manufacture of needles) and [[Aruvankadu]] (manufacture of [[cordite]]).


There were riding stables and kennels at Ooty and the Ootacamund Hounds hunted across the surrounding countryside and the open grasslands of the Wenlock Downs, named after [[Beilby Lawley, 3rd Baron Wenlock]]. Horse races are held at [[Ooty Racecourse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article1989919.ece?css=print|title=Lucky draw to mark Ooty racing milestone|author=D. Radhakrishnan|date=2011-05-04|access-date=2011-09-14|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/15/stories/2011041554030500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418195113/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/15/stories/2011041554030500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-04-18|title=Beauty of race course to be enhanced |date=2011-04-15|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2011-09-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/14/stories/2011041450760200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418112133/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/14/stories/2011041450760200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-04-18|title=Ooty waits for the race to begin|author=D. Radhakrishnan|date=2011-04-14|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2011-09-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaandindians.com/tamilnadu/nilgris/ooty.php|title=Ooty Horse Racing|publisher=indiaandindians.com|access-date=2011-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905055600/http://www.indiaandindians.com/tamilnadu/nilgris/ooty.php|archive-date=5 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/tamil-nadu/ooty-udhagamandalam/activities/racing/racecourse|title=Ooty (Udhagamandalam): Racecourse
== Transport ==
|publisher=lonelyplanet.com|access-date=2011-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Ooty-Race-Course-47265.htm|title=Ooty Race Course|publisher=india9.com|date=2005-06-07|access-date=2011-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/races/article1702221.ece|title=An important milestone in the Ooty racing season|author=D. Radhakrishnan|date=2011-04-17|access-date=2011-09-14|work=The Hindu}}</ref> In many of the south Indian movies in 70s 80s,90s Ooty was the obvious choice for the outdoor shoots. [[Priyadarshan]]'s [[Kilukkam]] was shot in Ootty. Many Bollywood movies Karz, Sadma, Maine pyar Kiya, Dil, Saajan, Beta, Hum aapke Hain koun, Raja, Mann were shot extensively in Ooty.  [[Karan Johar]]'s [[Kuch Kuch Hota Hai]] was filmed in Ooty.
=== Road ===
The diverse landscape of Ooty offers an opportunity to explore a number of adventure sports and recreational activities, including hang gliding. Located around {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} from Ooty, Kalhatty in the mountain ranges of Nilgiris is a site for [[hang gliding]]. Kalhatty has a launch area that can be reached by jeep. [[Ooty Golf Course]] is located in Ooty town.<ref name="ooty.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ooty.com/golf.htm|title=Ooty History|publisher=Ooty.com|access-date=3 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Citation| last = Duttagupta|first = Ishani | title = Young & wealthy executives transforming the face of golfing| newspaper = [[The Economic Times]] |location=India |date=19 September 2010 |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/life--style/Young--wealthy-executives-transforming-the-face-of-golfing/articleshow/6582117.cms?curpg=2}}</ref> The golf course is at an altitude of 7600 feet.<ref name="indiagolf">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiagolfcourses.com/golf-courses-ooty.htm |title=Ooty Golf Club |publisher=Indiagolfcourses.com |access-date=2011-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210121350/http://www.indiagolfcourses.com/golf-courses-ooty.htm |archive-date=10 December 2010}}</ref> It is owned by the Gymkhana club in Ooty. The course extends over {{convert|193.56|acre|order=flip}}<ref>{{Citation | title = Empowered committee inspects golf course on forest land| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]| location = India| date =  15 November 2008| url =http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/15/stories/2008111553120300.htm| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121108194753/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/15/stories/2008111553120300.htm| url-status =dead| archive-date =8 November 2012}}</ref> and comprises 18 holes.<ref name="indiagolf" /> The England cricket captain [[Colin Cowdrey]] was born in Ooty.<ref>p. 1, Colin Cowdrey, "M.C.C. The Autobiography of a Cricketer" (1976).</ref>
{{Main|Ooty bus stand}}


== Economy and infrastructure ==
Ooty is connected by roads known as the [[Nilgiri Ghat Roads]]. It is situated on [[National Highway 181 (India)|NH 181]]. The municipality maintains roads in the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/roads-2/|title=Roads in Uthagamandalam|access-date=1 December 2023|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203195229/https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/uthagamandalam/roads-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Public bus services are operated by the Coimbatore division of [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation|TNSTC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/new-buses-to-replace-tnstcs-aging-fleet-in-the-nilgiris/article66419763.ece|date=22 June 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|title=New buses to replace TNSTC's aging fleet in the Nilgiris|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227190805/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/new-buses-to-replace-tnstcs-aging-fleet-in-the-nilgiris/article66419763.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[State Express Transport Corporation|SETC]], [[Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC (Karnataka)]] and [[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC (Kerala)]] connect to distant towns in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.
[[File:Tea Rows Monarch Ooty Nilgiris Mar21 A7C 00291.jpg|thumb|Tea estate near Monarch Hotel, Ooty]]
[[File:Nilgiritea.jpg|thumb|Blackened Nilgiri tea leaves]]
Ooty is a market town for the surrounding area which is still largely dependent on agriculture, including the cultivation of "English vegetables" and "English fruits" grown locally. This primarily consists of potato, carrot, cabbage and cauliflower and the fruits being peaches, plums, pears and strawberries.<ref name=groundreport>{{cite web|url=http://www.groundreport.com/Lifestyle/Romantic-Ooty_1/2933672 |title=Romantic Ooty |access-date=16 February 2008 |publisher=groundreport.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207041026/http://www.groundreport.com/Lifestyle/Romantic-Ooty_1/2933672 |archive-date= 7 February 2011}}</ref> There is a daily wholesale auction of these products at the Ooty Municipal Market. Dairy farming has long been present in the area and there is a cooperative dairy manufacturing cheese and skimmed milk powder. As a result of the local agricultural industry, certain research institutes are based in Ooty. These include a [[soil conservation]] centre, livestock farm and a potato research farm. Efforts are being made to diversify the range of local crops with [[Floriculture]] and [[Sericulture]] being introduced in the local area, as well as the cultivation of mushrooms.<ref name=groundreport/>


[[Hindustan Photo Films]] manufactures photo films in Ooty.<ref name=groundreport1>{{cite web| url = http://hpf-india.com/| title = Hindustan photo films| access-date = 17 February 2008| publisher = hpf-india.com}}</ref> Human Biologicals Institute, which manufactures human rabies vaccine is present in Ooty near Pudumand. Other manufacturing industries are located in the outskirts of Ooty. The most significant of these are in [[Ketti]] (manufacture of needles); [[Aruvankadu]] (manufacture of [[cordite]]) and [[Coonoor]] (manufacture of [[rabies]] vaccine). Cottage industries in the area including chocolate, pickle manufacture, and carpentry. Home-made chocolates are popular among the tourists and the locals. The local area is known for [[tea]] cultivation and is economically grown in Ooty, [[Coonoor]], [[Kotagiri]] and across Nilgiris district. The elevation is about {{convert|6000|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} above the sea level. Soil conditions, elevation, and climatic conditions give flavour to the tea grown here.
=== Rail ===
[[File:NMR Train on viaduct 05-02-26 33.jpeg|thumb|[[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]], a [[UNESCO World Cultural Heritage|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]]]


===Transport===
[[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] is a {{Track gauge|1000mm|allk=on}} railway in [[Nilgiris district]], connecting [[Udhagamandalam railway station|Udagamandalam]] and [[Mettupalayam railway station|Mettupalayam]]. The Nilgiri Railway Company was formed in 1885, and the Mettupalayam-Coonoor section of the track was opened for traffic on 15 June 1899. The railway was operated by the [[Madras Railway]] until 31 December 1907, when it was handed over to the [[South Indian Railway]]. The line from Coonoor to Ooty was completed in 1908.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nilgiri Mountain railway|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,304,374,492,552|work=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=21 August 2019|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206122930/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,304,374,492,552|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="UNESCO"/> Operated currently by the [[Southern Railway zone]] of [[Indian Railways]], it is the only [[rack railway]] in India and operates on its own fleet of [[steam locomotive]]s between [[Coonoor railway station|Coonoor]] and Udagamandalam.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/in-pictures-nilgiri-mountain-railway-as-old-as-the-hills/article28732489.ece|title=he Nilgiri Mountain Railway as old as the hills|date=27 July 2019|access-date=1 March 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330055908/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/in-pictures-nilgiri-mountain-railway-as-old-as-the-hills/article28732489.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2005, [[UNESCO]] added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the [[World Heritage Site]] of [[Mountain Railways of India]].<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web|work=[[UNESCO World Heritage Centre]]|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944|title=Mountain Railways of India|access-date=30 April 2006|archive-date=3 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503143242/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944/|url-status=live}}</ref>


====Road====
=== Air ===
{{Main|Ooty bus stand}}
The nearest airport is [[Coimbatore International Airport]], located {{cvt|96|km}} from the town. The airport has regular flights from and to major domestic destinations and international destinations like [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]], [[Colombo]] and [[Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/coimbatore|title=Coimbatore Airport|access-date=26 July 2015|work=[[Airports Authority of India]]|archive-date=23 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823051632/https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/coimbatore|url-status=live}}</ref> Ooty has three helipads, one at Theettukal and two at Kodanad with the Theettukal helipad, approved by the [[Airports Authority of India]] for defence and VIP services. [[Pawan Hans]] planned to start commercial services with [[Bell 407]], but the plan has been shelved.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anubhuti|first=Vishnoi|title=Ooty, Uttarakhand chopper plans hit roadblock|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/ooty-uttarakhandchopperplanshitroadblock/286247/1|access-date=24 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=19 March 2008|archive-date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904075440/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/ooty-uttarakhandchopperplanshitroadblock/286247/1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jayalalithaa leaves Kodanad|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/jayalalithaa-leaves-kodanad/article5017698.ece|access-date=24 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=13 August 2013|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202232744/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/jayalalithaa-leaves-kodanad/article5017698.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ooty is well connected to the road network. It is:
{{convert|86|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Coimbatore,  
{{convert|260|km|abbr=on}} from Bengaluru (via Mysore, Bandipur, Mudumalai, Masinagudi and Kallatti),
{{convert|124|km|abbr=on}} from Mysuru,
{{convert|598|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Chennai<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Reach Ooty |url=http://www.mistairrealty.com/reaching-ooty/ |publisher=Mistair Realty |access-date=6 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804212412/http://www.mistairrealty.com/reaching-ooty/ |archive-date= 4 August 2013}}</ref> (via [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], [[Erode]], [[Tiruppur]] and [[Coimbatore]]), and {{convert|158|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Mysore (Via Gudalur), {{convert|135|km|abbr=on}} from Malappuram, {{convert|221|km|abbr=on}} from Kannur, {{convert|157|km|abbr=on}} from Calicut and nearly {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}} from Wayanad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bandipur|url=http://mysore.ind.in/bandipur|publisher=mysore.ind.in|access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref> Ooty is situated on [[National Highway 181 (India)|NH 181]] and is connected by road via the five main accepted [[Nilgiri Ghat Roads]]. Bus services operated by [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation|TNSTC]], [[Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC (Karnataka)]] and [[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC (Kerala)]] connect major towns in the state, nearby towns in the district such as [[Coonoor]] about {{convert|18|km|abbr=on}}, [[Kotagiri]] about 26 km (16 mi), and [[Gudalur, Nilgiris|Gudalur]] about {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} and nearby cities to [[Coimbatore]], [[Tiruppur|Tirupur]] , [[Erode]], [[Mysore]],  Malappuram, Wayanad.


====Rail====
==Education==
[[File:NMR up train at Kateri Road 05-02-28 04.jpeg|thumb|[[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]], a UNESCO world heritage site]]
[[Government Arts College, Ooty|Government Arts College]], established in 1955, is one of the oldest institutions in Ooty and is affiliated with [[Bharathiar University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/public-utility/government-arts-college/|title=Government Arts College|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=17 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517014513/https://nilgiris.nic.in/public-utility/government-arts-college/|url-status=live}}</ref> There are a few other colleges in the town. Boarding schools have been a feature of Ooty since the [[British Raj]] and continue to operate currently, including some of the most expensive schools in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/ampstories/education/these-are-top-10-expensive-schools-in-india|title=Top 10 expensive schools in India|work=Free press journal|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=23 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823051629/https://www.freepressjournal.in/ampstories/education/these-are-top-10-expensive-schools-in-india|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Udhagamandalam railway station]] is connected with [[Mettupalayam, Coimbatore|Mettupalayam]] by [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway|NMR]] [[metre gauge]] service.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.nrm.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,376|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110505131812/http://www.nrm.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,376|url-status =dead|archive-date =5 May 2011|title =Nilgiri Mountain Railways|access-date =15 February 2008|publisher =nrm.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> It comes under Salem division of Southern Railways. In 1882, a Swiss engineer named Arthur Riggenbach came to the Nilgiri Hills on an invitation from Government of India and he submitted an estimate for a line costing £132,000. The Nilgiri Railway Company was formed in 1885 and planning work commenced in 1886. The work on the line commenced in August 1891 and the Mettupalayam-Coonoor section of the track was opened for traffic on 15 June 1899. In January 1903, the Indian Government purchased the line, and took over the construction of the extension from Coonoor to Ooty.


The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was operated by the [[Madras Railway]] until 31 December 1907 on the behalf of the Government. In January 1908, the railway line was handed over to [[South Indian Railway]]. The line from Coonoor to Ooty was completed in 1908. On 15 October, [[Arthur Lawley]], Governor of Madras opened the new railway to traffic.<ref name=Ootytrain>Heritage Express, K. Nantarajan, Heritage Steam Chariot Trust, 2007.</ref> The [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] (NMR) is one of the oldest mountain railways in India and was declared by the [[UNESCO]] as a [[World Heritage Site]] in July 2005. It is the only [[rack railway]] in India, and uses the [[Abt rack railway system|Abt]] system.
==Tourism==
<ref name=Ootytrain2>Sir Arthur Lawley, Eloquent Knight Errant, D. J. Hogg. Chapter 5 Ruler of the Raj, Railways, Lady Lawley Cottage (Western Australian Red Cross) 2008 iBooks.</ref><ref name=PhotoRailway>Sir Arthur Lawley’s Photo Album, Empire and Commonwealth Museum.</ref>
[[File:Botanical garden ooty.JPG|thumb|Botanical Garden in Ooty]]


====Air====
A [[boat house]] located alongside the Ooty Lake offers boating facilities to tourists and is a major tourist attraction in Ooty.<ref name="OL"/> Similar boating facilities are also available at the Pykara falls and dam.<ref name="PL"/> The Government Botanical Garden, laid out in 1842, has several [[species]] of [[native plant|indigenous]] and [[Introduced species|exotic]] [[plant]]s, and hosts an annual flower show in May.<ref name="Gazetteer"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/botanical-garden/|title=Botanical Garden|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201153904/https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/botanical-garden/|url-status=live}}</ref> The garden also hosts a 20-million-year-old fossilized tree.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030510/windows/main1.htm|title=Hills beckon again|work=[[Tribune India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|date=22 January 2011|archive-date=13 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813090947/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030510/windows/main1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Government Rose Garden, Ooty|Government Rose Garden]], situated on the slopes of Elk Hill at an altitude of {{cvt|2200|m}}, has more than 20,000 varieties of roses from 2,800 [[cultivar]]s and is the largest rose garden in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/rose-garden-ooty/|title=Rose Garden|access-date=1 December 2023|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=21 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421165854/https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/rose-garden-ooty/|url-status=live}}</ref> A deer park was established along the edges of the lake in 1986 and is the second-highest altitude zoo in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/deer-park-ooty|title=Deer Park|access-date=1 December 2023|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=23 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823051820/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/deer-park-ooty|url-status=live}}</ref>
The nearest airport is [[Coimbatore International Airport|Coimbatore]], around {{convert|96|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. Mysore Airport is {{convert|120|km|abbr=on}} away, Calicut International Airport is {{convert|140|km|abbr=on}} away and Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport is {{convert|273|km|abbr=on}} away. Ooty has three helipads, one at Theettukal and two at Kodanad. The Theettukal helipad was approved by [[Airports Authority of India]] for defence and VIP services. [[Pawan Hans]] was supposed to start its service with [[Bell 407]], but being surrounded by farmland, disruption of the farm animals there has put the operations on hold for commercial activities.<ref name="hindu.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/02/stories/2007080250530200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016200224/http://hindu.com/2007/08/02/stories/2007080250530200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 October 2007|title=Helicopter service to Ooty|date=2 August 2007|access-date=19 August 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Anubhuti|first=Vishnoi|title=Ooty, Uttarakhand chopper plans hit roadblock|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/ooty-uttarakhandchopperplanshitroadblock/286247/1|access-date=24 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=19 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jayalalithaa leaves Kodanad|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/jayalalithaa-leaves-kodanad/article5017698.ece|access-date=24 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=13 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jayalalithaa reaches Kodanad, will stay for brief period|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-25/chennai/45560912_1_kodanad-j-jayalalithaa-nilgiris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101082717/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-25/chennai/45560912_1_kodanad-j-jayalalithaa-nilgiris|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 January 2014|access-date=24 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 December 2013}}</ref>


==Biodiversity and wildlife==
[[File:Toda Hut.JPG|thumb|left|Traditional Toda dogle]]
[[File:Ooty forest in fog.jpg|thumb|Protected forest in Ooty surrounded by fog]]
[[File:The Fernhills Palace, Ooty.jpg|thumb|[[The Fernhills Palace, Ooty|Fernhils Palace]]]]
[[File:Tiger Drinking Pond Mudumalai Mar21 DSC01310.jpg|thumb|Tiger in Mudumalai National Park]]
Ooty mostly contains  [[Temperate rainforest|Temperate Rainforests]]. It is also part of the [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]] ecoregion. [[Doddabetta]] is the highest peak ({{convert|2623|km|abbr=on|disp=or}}) in the Nilgiris, about {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} from Ooty. It lies at the junction of the Western Ghats surrounded by dense ''Sholas''. The pine forest situated between Ooty and Thalakunda is a small downhill region where pine trees are arranged in an orderly fashion. Wenlock Downs is a grassland area typical of the original bioscape of the Nilgiris with gently undulating hills.


[[Mudumalai National Park]] and [[tiger reserve]] lies on the north western side of the [[Nilgiris (mountains)|Nilgiri Hills]], about {{convert|31|km|abbr=on}} from Ooty.  Mudumalai is a haven for animals and birds, including [[Indian elephant|elephants]] and [[Bengal tiger|tiger]]s. The tiger population in Mudumalai is 103. [[Mukurthi National Park]] is a {{convert|78.46|km2|abbr=on}} [[Protected areas of India|protected area]] located in the south-eastern corner of the [[Nilgiris (mountains)|Nilgiris]] [[Plateau]] about {{convert|25|km|abbr=on}} west of Ooty. The park was created to protect its [[keystone species]], the [[Nilgiri tahr]]. The [[Western Ghats]], Nilgiri Sub-Cluster ({{convert|6000|km2|abbr=on|disp=or}}), including all of Mudumalai National Park, is under consideration by the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Committee]] for selection as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="UNESCO">{{Cite web|last=|first= |title=Mountain Railways of India (Extension) |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5919/ |access-date=2022-03-27|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref>
There are a few traditional Toda dogles (huts) on the hills above the Botanical Garden.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Chhabra|first=Tarun|title=How Traditional Ecological Knowledge addresses Global Climate change: the perspective of the Todas – the indigenous people of the Nilgiri hills of South India|journal=Proceedings of the Earth in Transition: First World Conference|year=2005|url=http://www.ser.org/iprn/pdf/Tarun_Chhabra.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904232848/http://www.ser.org/iprn/pdf/Tarun_Chhabra.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> A Tribal Museum was opened in 1995 as a part of the Tribal Research Center, located about ({{cvt|10|km}} from the town and hosts rare artifacts and photographs of tribal groups of Tamil Nadu and [[Andaman and Nicobar]], and other anthropological and archaeological finds on early human culture and heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/tribal-museum/|title=Tribal Museum|access-date=1 December 2023|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=21 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421164721/https://nilgiris.nic.in/tourist-place/tribal-museum/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Stone House, Ooty|Stone House]] was the first [[bungalow]] constructed in the town.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tourist Guide to South India|year=2006|page=96|publisher=South India|isbn=978-8-1747-8175-8}}</ref> [[St. Stephen's Church, Ooty|St Stephen's Church]], built in 1829, is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilnadu-tourism.com/tamil-nadu-temples/st-stephens-church.html|title=St. Stephen's Church|access-date=2 February 2011|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716191851/http://www.tamilnadu-tourism.com/tamil-nadu-temples/st-stephens-church.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> St. Thomas Church, opened in 1871, hosts many famous graves in the churchyard including those of [[J. J. Goodwin|Josiah John Goodwin]], [[William Patrick Adam]], whose grave is topped by a pillar monument dedicated to [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]], the tallest structure in Ooty.<ref>{{cite news|title=Goodwin – Unsung Stenographer of Swami Vivekananda|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/goodwin-unsung-stenographer-of-swami-vivekananda/article5247201.ece|access-date=16 March 2019|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=18 October 2013|archive-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729113103/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/goodwin-unsung-stenographer-of-swami-vivekananda/article5247201.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Thiagarajan|first1=Shantha|title=St.Thomas Church Celebrates 150th Anniversary|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/st-thomas-church-celebrates-150th-anniv/articleshow/60998258.cms|access-date=16 March 2019|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=9 October 2017|archive-date=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105185248/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/st-thomas-church-celebrates-150th-anniv/articleshow/60998258.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Spread over an area of nearly {{cvt|1|acre}}, a tea factory and museum displays the process of tea processing and the machines used.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/tea-museum--tea-factory-ooty|title=Tea museum|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=5 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205194843/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/tea-museum--tea-factory-ooty|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Education==
The [[Ooty Radio Telescope]] was completed in 1970 and is part of the [[National Centre for Radio Astrophysics]] (NCRA) of the [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]] (TIFR), funded by the Government of India through the [[Department of Atomic Energy (India)|Department of Atomic Energy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianspacestation.com/space-institutes/120-national-centre-for-radio-astrophysics.html|title=National Centre for Radio Astrophysics|work=Indian Space Statio|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025014/http://indianspacestation.com/space-institutes/120-national-centre-for-radio-astrophysics.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
[[File:Govt Arts College Ooty Aug21 D72 20330.jpg|thumb|Old and new buildings, Govt Arts College, ca. Aug 2021]]
The Government Arts College is one of the oldest institutions in Ooty. It offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in arts and science streams. It is affiliated to [[Bharathiar University]], Coimbatore.


A premiere pharmacy institute ranked 7th in India, the JSS College of Pharmacy is located in a lush {{convert|7|acre|adj=on|order=flip}} land on Elkhill, Ooty. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes. It is affiliated with Pharmacy Council of India, AICTE approved programmes. The college has an NBA certified B Pharm programme and ACPE-USA certified Pharm.D programme. It's a constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru which is a 'A+' UGC accredited Deemed to be University in India.
==Sports and recreation==
The game of [[snooker]] was perfected by [[Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain|Neville Chamberlain]] on the billiard tables of the Ootacamund Club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/articles/Ooty-India-back-in-time-to-the-birthplace-of-snooker/ |title=Ooty, India: back in time to the birthplace of snooker |date=16 June 2014 |newspaper=[[The Telegraph  (India)|The Telegraph]] |first=Martin |last=Hughes-Games |access-date=8 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321074803/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/articles/Ooty-India-back-in-time-to-the-birthplace-of-snooker/ |archive-date=21 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azbilliards.com/snooker/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030306050113/http://www.azbilliards.com/snooker/history.html|title=The History and Development of snooker |work=AZ Billiards|archive-date=6 March 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> There was also a cricket ground with regular matches played between teams from the Army and [[Indian Civil Service]]. There were riding stables and [[kennel]]s at Ooty and the hounds hunted across the surrounding countryside and the open grasslands of the [[Beilby Lawley, 3rd Baron Wenlock|Wenlock downs]]. [[Horse racing]] is held at the [[Ooty Racecourse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article1989919.ece?css=print|title=Lucky draw to mark Ooty racing milestone|author=D. Radhakrishnan|date=4 May 2011|access-date=1 May 2021|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=3 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103024856/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article1989919.ece?css=print|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/tamil-nadu/ooty-udagamandalam/activities/racing/racecourse|title=Ooty (Udagamandalam): Racecourse|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|access-date=1 May 2011}}</ref> [[Ooty Golf Course]] is at an altitude of {{convert|7600|ft}} and extends over {{convert|193.56|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=Duttagupta|first=Ishani|title=Young & wealthy executives transforming the face of golfing|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=19 September 2010|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/life--style/Young--wealthy-executives-transforming-the-face-of-golfing/articleshow/6582117.cms?curpg=2|access-date=19 August 2011|archive-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015132453/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/life--style/Young--wealthy-executives-transforming-the-face-of-golfing/articleshow/6582117.cms?curpg=2|url-status=live}}</ref>


Some other notable colleges are the JSS School of Life Sciences, the Monarch Institution of Hotel Management, and the CSI Engineering College, [[Ketti]].
==In popular culture==
 
[[Ooty varkey]] is a crispy and crusty cookie snack popular in Ooty.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nainar|first=Nahla|date=17 August 2018|title=The journey of the famous Ooty 'varkey'|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/the-journey-of-the-famous-ooty-varkey/article24717476.ece|access-date=15 December 2023|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=26 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226161709/https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/the-journey-of-the-famous-ooty-varkey/article24717476.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of films have been shot in Ooty. The town was used as a setting in [[David Lean]]'s 1984 movie, [[A Passage to India (film)|''A Passage to India'']], which was based on [[E. M. Forster]]'s [[A Passage to India|novel of the same name]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230313-the-slowest-train-journey-in-india|title=The slowest train journey in India|date=13 March 2023|work=BBC|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=14 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214135945/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230313-the-slowest-train-journey-in-india|url-status=live}}</ref>
Boarding schools such as the Blue Mountains School have been a feature of Ooty since the days of the [[British Raj]]. They offer a significant contribution to the local economy. The facilities and standards of education are considered amongst the highest in India, and so these schools are popular amongst the elite of India and some of the neighbouring countries.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Commons category|Udhagamandalam}}


 
* [[List of hill stations in India]]
* [[List of hill stations in India]]  
* [[Ooty Radio Telescope]]
* [[Ooty varkey]]
* [[2021 Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash]]
 


==References==
==References==
Line 359: Line 296:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Decaying splendours: two palaces: reflections in an Indian mirror |last=Weeks |first=Stephen |year=1979 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |location=University of California |isbn=978-0-563-17516-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTo2AAAAIAAJ&q=Decaying+Splendours;+two+palaces:+reflections+in+an+Indian+mirror|access-date=19 August 2011}}
* {{cite book|title=Decaying splendours: two palaces: reflections in an Indian mirror|last=Weeks|first=Stephen|year=1979|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|location=University of California|isbn=978-0-563-17516-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTo2AAAAIAAJ&q=Decaying+Splendours;+two+palaces:+reflections+in+an+Indian+mirror|access-date=19 August 2011}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/tour_ooty.html Official history and tourism page]
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
*


{{Authority control}}
{{Nilgiris district}}
{{Nilgiris district}}
{{Municipalities of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Municipalities of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Tourism in Tamil Nadu}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Ooty]]
[[Category:Ooty]]

Latest revision as of 19:13, 14 March 2026


This article is about the place in Tamil Nadu. For the place in Kerala, see Mini Ooty. For the Indian film, see Ooty (film).
Ooty
Udagamandalam
Town
Ootacamund
Nickname: 
Queen of hill stations[1]
Ooty is located in Tamil Nadu
Ooty
Ooty
Coordinates: 11°25′N 76°42′E / 11.41°N 76.70°E / 11.41; 76.70
CountryIndia
StateTamil Nadu
RegionKongu Nadu
DistrictNilgiris District
Government
 • TypeSpecial Grade Municipality
 • BodyUdagamandalam Municipality
 • ChairpersonM. Vanieshwari[2] (DMK)
 • Vice ChairmanJ. Ravikumar[2] (DMK)
Area
[3]
 • Total30.36 km2 (11.72 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
2,240 m (7,350 ft)
Population
 (2011)[4]
 • Total88,430
 • Density2,900/km2 (7,500/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Ootian, Ootacamandian, Udaghaikaran
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
643001
Tele91423
Vehicle registrationTN-43
ClimateSubtropical Highland (Köppen)
Precipitation1,100 mm (43 in)
Websitetnurbantree.tn.gov.in/

Ooty (ta; officially Udagamandalam (ta), anglicized: Ootacamund About this soundlisten (help·info), abbreviated as Udagai, ta) is a town and municipality in the Nilgiris district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 86 km (53 mi) northwest of Coimbatore, and is the headquarters of Nilgiris district. Situated in the Nilgiri hills, it is known by the epithet "King of all the Hill Stations", and is a popular tourist destination.

Originally occupied by the Toda people, the area came under the rule of the East India Company in the 18th century. It later served as the summer capital of Madras Presidency. The economy is based on the hospitality industry serving tourism and agriculture. The town is connected to the plains by the Nilgiri ghat roads and Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The region was earlier known as orrai-kal manru, with orrai-kal meaning 'single stone' in Tamil, a reference to a sacred stone revered by the local Toda people and manru, a word for Toda village.[5] It later became Udagamandalam in Tamil, which was anglicised to Ootacamund during the British Raj, with Ootaca being a corruption of the local name for the region and mand was a shortened form of the local word mandu.[6][7][8] In a letter written to the Madras Gazette in March 1821, the name of the place is mentioned as Wotokymund.[9] Ootacamund was later shortened to Ooty. It is the major town in the Nilgiri hills, which means "blue mountains", so named due to the Kurunji flower, which used to give the slopes a bluish tinge.[10]

History[edit | edit source]

The earliest reference to Nilgiri hills is found in the Tamil Sangam epic Silappathikaram from the 5th or 6th century CE.[10] The region was a land occupied by various tribes such as Badagas, Todas, Kotas, Irulas and Kurumbas.[3] The region was ruled by the three Tamil kingdoms of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas during various times.[11][12] The Todas are referenced in a record belonging to Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana and his general Punisa, dated 1117 CE.[13] It was also ruled by various dynasties like Pallavas, Satavahanas, Gangas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara empire.[14][15] Tipu Sultan captured Nilgiris in the eighteenth century and the region came into possession of British in 1799.[16] It became part of Coimbatore district of the Madras Presidency.[9]

Map of Udagamandalam in 1903

In 1818, J. C. Whish and N. W. Kindersley, assistants to John Sullivan, then collector of Coimbatore district, visited Kotagiri nearby and reported on the region's potential to serve as a summer retreat.[10] Sullivan established his residence there and reported to the Board of Revenue on 31 July 1819. He also started work on a road from Sirumugai which was completed in May 1823 and extended up to Coonoor between 1830 and 1832.[10] By 1827, it was established as a sanatorium of the Madras Presidency and developed further at the behest of then Governor of Madras Stephen Lushington. The Government Botanical Garden, covering 51 acres (21 ha), was established in 1842 and a library was established in 1859.[17]

Ooty was made a municipality in 1866, and civic improvements including roads, drainage, and water supply from the Marlimund and Tiger Hill reservoirs were added through Government loans.[17] In August 1868, the Nilgiris was separated from the Coimbatore district, and James Wilkinson Breeks was appointed its first commissioner.[10] On 1 February 1882, Nilgiris was made a district, and Richard Wellesley Barlow, the then commissioner, became its first collector.[9] By the early 20th century, Ooty was a well-developed hill station, with an artificial lake, various parks, religious structures, and sporting facilities for polo, golf, and cricket.[17] It served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency and as a retreat for the British officials.[18]

Post-independence, the town developed into a popular recreational resort and the nearby Wellington became the home of the Defence Services Staff College of the Indian Army.[19][20]

Geography[edit | edit source]

Ooty is located in the Nilgiri hills

Ooty is located in the Nilgiri hills, which are part of the Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is separated from the neighboring state of Karnataka by the Moyar river in the north and from the Anaimalai and Palani hills in the south by the Palghat Gap.[21] It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level.[3] The total area of the town is 30.36 km2 (11.72 sq mi).[3] Doddabetta is the highest peak (2,623 m or 8,606 ft) in the Nilgiris, about 10 km (6.2 mi) from Ooty.[22]

Ooty Lake is an artificial lake covering 65 acres (26 ha) created in 1824.[23] The Pykara, a river located 19 km (12 mi) from Ooty, rises at Mukurthi peak and flows through a series of cascades with the last two falls of 55 metres (180 ft) and 61 metres (200 ft) known as Pykara falls.[24] Kamaraj Sagar Dam is located 10 km (6.2 mi) from the Ooty.[25] Emerald Lake, Avalanche Lake and Porthimund Lake are other lakes in the region.[26]

Climate[edit | edit source]

Ooty features a subtropical highland climate (Cwb) under Köppen climate classification.[27] Because of its high altitude, the temperatures are generally lower than the surrounding plains with the average between 10–25 °C (50–77 °F) during summer and 0–21 °C (32–70 °F) during winter.[3] The highest temperature ever recorded was 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) on 30 April 2024,[28] and the lowest temperature recorded was −2.1 °C (28.2 °F).[29] The town gets heavy rainfall during both south-west and north-east monsoons and the average rainfall is about 1,100 mm (43 in) of precipitation annually.[3]

Climate data for Ooty (Udagamandalam) 1991-2020
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 27.5
(81.5) 		27.3
(81.1) 		27.5
(81.5) 		28.5
(83.3) 		28.0
(82.4) 		26.1
(79.0) 		24.4
(75.9) 		23.0
(73.4) 		23.3
(73.9) 		26.8
(80.2) 		25.2
(77.4) 		27.4
(81.3) 		28.5
(83.3)
Average high °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5) 		21.9
(71.4) 		23.3
(73.9) 		22.7
(72.9) 		22.8
(73.0) 		18.8
(65.8) 		17.2
(63.0) 		17.5
(63.5) 		19.1
(66.4) 		19.0
(66.2) 		19.1
(66.4) 		20.9
(69.6) 		20.4
(68.7)
Average low °C (°F) 6.5
(43.7) 		7.3
(45.1) 		9.5
(49.1) 		11.1
(52.0) 		11.8
(53.2) 		11.7
(53.1) 		11.2
(52.2) 		11.0
(51.8) 		10.8
(51.4) 		10.6
(51.1) 		9.6
(49.3) 		6.9
(44.4) 		9.8
(49.7)
Record low °C (°F) −2.1
(28.2) 		0.0
(32.0) 		1.1
(34.0) 		4.0
(39.2) 		4.4
(39.9) 		2.2
(36.0) 		2.5
(36.5) 		4.6
(40.3) 		4.4
(39.9) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		−2.1
(28.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 4.9
(0.19) 		5.1
(0.20) 		22.4
(0.88) 		84.0
(3.31) 		123.9
(4.88) 		147.6
(5.81) 		152.3
(6.00) 		116.5
(4.59) 		117.1
(4.61) 		189.2
(7.45) 		144.5
(5.69) 		49.9
(1.96) 		1,157.4
(45.57)
Average rainy days 0.7 0.5 1.3 5.6 8.6 11.1 12.4 9.4 8.9 11.4 7.8 3.2 80.9
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 69 67 61 70 75 85 88 88 86 86 85 73 77
Mean daily sunshine hours 8 8 8 8 7 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 6
Source 1: Indian Meteorological Department[30][31]
Source 2: Weather2Travel for sunshine [32]

Biodiversity and wildlife[edit | edit source]

A Bengal tiger in Mudumalai National Park

Ooty forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected forest area in India.[33] It was declared as a protected reserve in 1986 and is part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme.[34] Mudumalai National Park and tiger reserve lies on the north-western side, about 31 km (19 mi) from Ooty and was established in 1940 as the first wildlife sanctuary in India.[35]

Nilgiri langur is an endangered primate, found only in the region

The region is part of the South Western Ghats montane rain forests ecoregion.[36] Nilgiris harbours thousands of plant species including medicinal plants and endemic flowering plants.[34] Stunted evergreen trees grow in shola forest patches above 1,800 m (5,900 ft) and are festooned with epiphytes.[37] The native vegetation consisted of Meadows and grasslands on the hillsides with shola forests in the valleys. When the British populated the town, invasive species of pine, wattle and eucalyptus were planted along with tea plantations and they became the dominant species replacing the native vegetation.[38]

The region has one of the largest bengal tiger populations.[39] The Indian elephant is the largest mammal in the region.[40] The gaur is the largest ungulate in the region that frequent grasslands in the vicinity of water sources.[41] Other mega-fauna include Indian leopard and sloth bear.[42] Smaller fauna include Jungle cat, rusty-spotted cat, leopard cat, dhole, Golden jackal, Nilgiri marten, Small Indian civet, Asian palm civet, brown palm civet, ruddy mongoose, wild boar, Indian pangolin, Indian crested porcupine and Indian giant squirrel.[43] Indian giant flying squirrel,[44][45][46][47][48] Smooth-coated otter groups are observed along the Moyar River.[49] Deer include sambar deer, chital, Indian spotted chevrotain, Indian muntjac, four-horned antelope and blackbuck.[50] Monkeys, including the endangered Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque and gray langur are also found in the region.[51] Nilgiri tahr is an endangered ungulate that is endemic to the Nilgiris and is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.[52] Bats are found in darker caves in the hills.[53] More than 200 species of birds are found in the region.[54]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Religious census
Religion Percent(%)
Hindu
 
 64.36%
Christian
 
 21.25%
Muslim
 
 13.37%
Other
 
 1.03%

According to the 2011 census, Udagamandalam had a population of 88,430 with a sex-ratio of 1,053 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[4][55] A total of 7,781 were under the age of six, constituting 3,915 males and 3,866 females.Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 28.98% and 0.30% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city in 2011 was 90.2%,[56] compared to the national average of 72.99%.[55] The city had a total of 23,235 households. There were a total of 35,981 workers, comprising 636 cultivators, 5,194 agricultural labourers, 292 in household industries, 26,411 other workers, 3,448 marginal workers, 65 marginal cultivators, 828 marginal agricultural labourers, 56 marginal workers in household industries and 2,499 other marginal workers.[57] As per the religious census of 2011, Udagamandalam had 64.36% Hindus, 21.25% Christians, 13.37% Muslims, 0.03% Sikhs, 0.3% Buddhists, 0.4% Jains, 0.28% following other religions and 0.02% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.[58]

Tamil is the official language of Udagamandalam. Languages native to the Nilgiris including Badaga, Paniya, Irula and Kurumba.[59] Due to its proximity to the neighboring states of Kerala and Karnataka and being a tourist destination, Malayalam, Kannada and English are also spoken and understood to an extent.[60] According to the 2011 census, the most widely spoken languages in Udagamandalam taluk were Tamil, spoken by 88,896, followed by Badaga with 41,213 and Kannada with 27,070 speakers.[61]

Administration and politics[edit | edit source]

Ooty is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district.[9] The town is part of the Udagamandalam Assembly constituency which forms part of the Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency.[62] The town is administered by Udagamanadalam municipality which was established in 1866 and the town is divided into 36 wards.[63] The municipality is responsible for water services, sewage disposal and maintenance of public infrastructure.[64]

Economy[edit | edit source]

Tea plantations in Ooty

Ooty is a market town for the surrounding area, which is still largely dependent on agriculture. Vegetables cultivated include potato, carrot, cabbage and cauliflower and fruits include peach, plum, pear and strawberry.[65] There is a daily wholesale auction of these products at the Ooty Municipal Market.[citation needed] Dairy farming has long been present in the area, and there is a cooperative dairy manufacturing cheese and skimmed milk powder.[66] Floriculture and sericulture are also practised, as is the cultivation of mushrooms. The local area is known for tea cultivation. Nilgiri tea is a black tea variety unique to the region.[67]

The Human Biologicals Institute, established in 1999, is involved in vaccine manufacturing.[68] Other manufacturing industries located on the outskirts include Ketti (manufacture of needles) and Aruvankadu (manufacture of cordite).

Transport[edit | edit source]

Road[edit | edit source]

Main article: Ooty bus stand

Ooty is connected by roads known as the Nilgiri Ghat Roads. It is situated on NH 181. The municipality maintains roads in the town.[69] Public bus services are operated by the Coimbatore division of TNSTC.[70] SETC, KSRTC (Karnataka) and KSRTC (Kerala) connect to distant towns in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.

Rail[edit | edit source]

Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge railway in Nilgiris district, connecting Udagamandalam and Mettupalayam. The Nilgiri Railway Company was formed in 1885, and the Mettupalayam-Coonoor section of the track was opened for traffic on 15 June 1899. The railway was operated by the Madras Railway until 31 December 1907, when it was handed over to the South Indian Railway. The line from Coonoor to Ooty was completed in 1908.[71][72] Operated currently by the Southern Railway zone of Indian Railways, it is the only rack railway in India and operates on its own fleet of steam locomotives between Coonoor and Udagamandalam.[73] In July 2005, UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Mountain Railways of India.[72]

Air[edit | edit source]

The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, located 96 km (60 mi) from the town. The airport has regular flights from and to major domestic destinations and international destinations like Sharjah, Colombo and Singapore.[74] Ooty has three helipads, one at Theettukal and two at Kodanad with the Theettukal helipad, approved by the Airports Authority of India for defence and VIP services. Pawan Hans planned to start commercial services with Bell 407, but the plan has been shelved.[75][76]

Education[edit | edit source]

Government Arts College, established in 1955, is one of the oldest institutions in Ooty and is affiliated with Bharathiar University.[77] There are a few other colleges in the town. Boarding schools have been a feature of Ooty since the British Raj and continue to operate currently, including some of the most expensive schools in India.[78]

Tourism[edit | edit source]

Botanical Garden in Ooty

A boat house located alongside the Ooty Lake offers boating facilities to tourists and is a major tourist attraction in Ooty.[23] Similar boating facilities are also available at the Pykara falls and dam.[24] The Government Botanical Garden, laid out in 1842, has several species of indigenous and exotic plants, and hosts an annual flower show in May.[17][79] The garden also hosts a 20-million-year-old fossilized tree.[80] The Government Rose Garden, situated on the slopes of Elk Hill at an altitude of 2,200 m (7,200 ft), has more than 20,000 varieties of roses from 2,800 cultivars and is the largest rose garden in India.[81] A deer park was established along the edges of the lake in 1986 and is the second-highest altitude zoo in India.[82]

Traditional Toda dogle
Fernhils Palace

There are a few traditional Toda dogles (huts) on the hills above the Botanical Garden.[83] A Tribal Museum was opened in 1995 as a part of the Tribal Research Center, located about (10 km (6.2 mi) from the town and hosts rare artifacts and photographs of tribal groups of Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar, and other anthropological and archaeological finds on early human culture and heritage.[84] The Stone House was the first bungalow constructed in the town.[85] St Stephen's Church, built in 1829, is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district.[86] St. Thomas Church, opened in 1871, hosts many famous graves in the churchyard including those of Josiah John Goodwin, William Patrick Adam, whose grave is topped by a pillar monument dedicated to St. Thomas, the tallest structure in Ooty.[87][88] Spread over an area of nearly 1 acre (0.40 ha), a tea factory and museum displays the process of tea processing and the machines used.[89]

The Ooty Radio Telescope was completed in 1970 and is part of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), funded by the Government of India through the Department of Atomic Energy.[90]

Sports and recreation[edit | edit source]

The game of snooker was perfected by Neville Chamberlain on the billiard tables of the Ootacamund Club.[91][92] There was also a cricket ground with regular matches played between teams from the Army and Indian Civil Service. There were riding stables and kennels at Ooty and the hounds hunted across the surrounding countryside and the open grasslands of the Wenlock downs. Horse racing is held at the Ooty Racecourse.[93][94] Ooty Golf Course is at an altitude of 7,600 feet (2,300 m) and extends over 193.56 acres (78.33 ha).[95]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Ooty varkey is a crispy and crusty cookie snack popular in Ooty.[96] A number of films have been shot in Ooty. The town was used as a setting in David Lean's 1984 movie, A Passage to India, which was based on E. M. Forster's novel of the same name.[97]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Queen of hill stations-Ooty". Hindustan Times. 9 October 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Municipal details, Uthagamandalam". Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Udagamandalam". Government of Tamil Nadu. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Udagamandalam City Population Census 2011 – Tamil Nadu (Report). Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Government of India. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  5. ↑ Mathew Chacko, Pariyaram (2005). Tribal Communities and Social Change. SAGE. pp. 180, 188. ISBN 978-0-7619-3330-4.
  6. ↑ Price, Frederick (1908). Ootacamund, A History. Madras Government Press. pp. 14–15.
  7. ↑ Guides, Rough (October 2023). The Rough Guide to South India & Kerala. Apa Publications. p. 813. ISBN 978-1-83905-950-6.
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  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Nilgiris district". Government of Tamil Nadu. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 "Nilgiris history". Government of Tamil Nadu. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
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  12. ↑ Indian Navy (1989). Maritime Heritage of India. Notion Press. p. 244. ISBN 978-9-3520-6917-0. At their peak, the Cholas ruled over not just the whole of south India, but also conquered island nations..
  13. ↑ Francis, Walter (1908). Madras District Gazetteers: The Nilgiris. Vol. 1. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. pp. 90–94, 102–105. ISBN 978-8-1206-0546-6.
  14. ↑ Sundaresan, C.S. (1 January 2007). South Asia and Multilateral Trade Regime: Disorders for Development. Regal Publications. p. 81. ISBN 978-8189-915-31-5.
  15. ↑ Sagar, Ravi. "Decoding the Nilgiris" (PDF). India Brand Equity Foundation: 53. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016. Not even the dynastic rulers—the Cheras, the Cholas, the Pandiyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Gangas, the Pallavas, the Kadambas and the Hoysalas—can be credited with discovering this jewel (Nilgiris) in their crown.
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