AROUND Ooty
COONOOR :
Situated at an altitude of 2000 ft and only 17kms from
Udhagamandalam is the first of these hill stations. Coonoor
is a small town with an equable climate that has made
it popular as a hill resort in its own right. The main
attraction is the Sim's Park, a small well maintained
botanical garden that has several varieties of plants
not to be found in other hill stations. Viewpoints and
picnic spots around Coonoor include Lambs Rock, Lady Canning's
Seat, Dolphin's Nose, St Catherine Falls, Law's Falls,
Ralliah Dam and Droog.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary(67kms):
The most prominent of the wildlife sanctuaries in the
state, as well as one of the most important in the southern
region, thickly forested Mudumalai borders the Bandipur
National Park in Karnataka and the Wyanad Sanctuary in
Kerala. Apart from the wide range of animal and bird life,
the rich fauna of this sanctuary has made Mudumalai very
popular with wildlife enthusiasts.There are tigers at
Mudumalai, though it takes a lot of luck and perseverance
to spot one of these big cats that are such masters of
stealth. But there are several other creatures of the
jungle that can be sighted more easily.Among these are
spotted deer, elephant, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild
boar, civet, flying squirrel, four horned antelope, mouse
deer, common langur, bonnet macaque and pangolin the scaly
ant eater. More rarely spotted are the panther, leopard,
hyena, sloth bear and jackal. The birds include peacock,
woodpeckers, several species of owls, vultures and buzzards
and the grey jungle fowl to name a few. On balmy April
nights, when the whole sanctuary is lit up by million
of glow worms, one will be in a different world altogether,
a world of illuminated quiet.
Within the
sanctuary is an elephant camp called Theppakkadu
where there is a rest house. Accommodation is also available
at TTDC's Youth Hostel and rest houses in Masinagudi,
Abhayaranayam and Kargudi and the Bamboo Banks Farm that
is 18kms away. The best season to visit is between Jan-March
and Sep-Oct. For further information contact the Wildlife
Warden, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam.
Ketti valley view point :
Located on the road to Coonoor, this idyllic spot is a
cluster of tiny villages that extend to the plains of
Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.
Glenmorgan : It
is about 17 kms. from Udhagamandalam an ecologically rich
forestry spot. There from is an Electricity Board (E.B).
Winch carries staff from Glenmorgan view point to power
house at Singara. All the 4 kms. of the Winch track passes
through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitat. Prior
permission of E. B. authorities should be obtained to
enter the view point zone.
Upper Bhavani :
It is about 10 kms. from Korakundah and about 20 kms.
from Avalanche. This is Naturalist's Paradise. Some of
the best sholas like sholas lies enroute. The area is
a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithapal
via. Sispara one can trek to silent valley. Forest Department's
permission is necessary.
Kalhatty falls :
It is located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13 kms.
from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty
ghat road. The height of the water falls is about 100
ft. Kalhatty - Masinagudi slopes is rich in wildlife such
as Panthers, Bisons, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Dogs, Spotted
Deers, Sambers and different types of hill birds.
Wenlock Downs :
A vast expanse of undulating landscape offering the Gymkana
Club, the Government Sheep Farm and the Hindustan Photo
Films Company besides pleasure of a long stroll on quiet
roads.
Cairn Hill : Situated
about 3 kms. on the road to Avalanche, Cairan hill is
one of the few surviving original walks. The entrance
road to the hill is flanked by dense cypress trees. The
clearings underneath them make good picnic spots. The
stillness and silence of the cypress woods is broken only
by the sounds of birds in the surrounding shrubs that
can be an unforgettable experience.
Kandal
Cross Shrine : This is a Roman Catholics 'Holy
Shrine' of the Roman Catholics considered by the Nilgiri
Catholics as the "CALVARY OF TAMILNADU" situated to the
west of Udhagamandalam Railway Station. The distance is
3 kms. A relic of the true cross is here and it cures
the sick, bestow heavenly blessings, peace and joy to
the visiting pilgrims and tourists. Special Novena Prayers
and Holly Masses are offered every Friday. The annual
feast is on 3rd May every year.
Kamaraj Sagar (Sandynallah
Reservoir) : The Kamaraj Sagar dam is a good
picnic spot and can be reached via. Kandal amidst every
old trees and green shrubs of various terrains and via.
Hindustan Photo films in Gudalur road. It is a very good
picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Sagar Downs.
Apart from studying nature and the environment, fishing
provides excellent game in Kamaraj as well as in Upper
Bhavani and Avalanche, whose waters are especially rich
in trout fish.
