Aptly titled ‘The Queen of Hill Stations’, Ooty is a fascinating mix of pleasantly delightful bustle and serenity. It lies dotted with Hindu temples with beautiful gardens, rustic bungalows oozing the charm of colonial architecture, and a tranquil atmosphere. At first glance, Ooty looks quite busy and chaotic, but it does not take a lot of time to escape to its greener pastures that remind us of the idyllic English countryside. There are many places to visit near Ooty, that are a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility. There are many hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, spiritual retreats around Ooty. Once here, you will not have to spend a single boring moment!
Ooty is situated in Tamil Nadu and is a prominent hill station in the Nilgiri hills. Ooty, being the beauty that it is, attracts tourists from all over the world every year. For a traveler, there are many places to visit near Ooty for a memorable getaway. Ooty was established in the nineteenth century by the British as the summer headquarters of the Madras government. Though commercialization has set in, it does not take a lot of time to escape to the picturesque boulevards of old Ooty.
Ooty is not only one of the most beautiful hill stations in India but also one of the most well-connected. There are many enthralling tourist places around Ooty that you can visit to spend an amazing weekend.
Hosur lies at a distance of 298 kilometers from Ooty. It takes about eight to nine hours to get to Hosur from Ooty. Despite being an industrial city, Hosur is known for its soothing weather and lush green scenic surroundings. Pristine lakes, beautiful gardens, and stunning boulevards have earned this place the title of ‘Little England’.
When it comes to attractions, Hosur has no dearth of them. From enjoying a hearty picnic at the Kelavarapalli Dam to a spiritual rendezvous at the Chandra Choodeswarar Temple, you can experience the best of everything here.
Munnar lies at a distance of 237 kilometers from Ooty, and it takes about seven to eight hours to reach there. It is an incredibly enchanting hill station situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. Nestled in the Western Ghats, and surrounded by rolling hills and winding terrains, Munnar is a great place to spend some quality time with friends and family. The name Munnar means ‘Three Rivers’, and depicts the setting of the place at the convergence of the Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala rivers.
Once in Munnar, pay a visit to Eravikulam National Park, which is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and also witness the Anamudi Peak- the highest peak in South India- situated inside the park.
Gurvayur lies at a distance of 192 kilometers from Ooty, and it takes about six to seven hours to reach there. It is a teeming town in Thrissur district of Kerala. Gurvayur a popular pilgrimage destination of Kerala is believed to be the abode of Lord Krishna- one of the most prominent Gods of Hinduism, who is also one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu.
The name Guruvayur has pretty interesting origins. It is a combination of three words- Guru represents the Guru ‘Brihaspati’, Vayu represents the Wind God, and Oor means Land in Malayalam. According to the legend, Brihaspati found an idol of Lord Krishna at the beginning of the era of Kaliyug. The revered Guru then consecrated the idol along with the Wind God, Vayu. Hence, the place came to be known as Guruvayur.
Guruvayur is known for its temples. It houses the beautiful Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, Chamundeshwari Temple, Chowalloor Shiva Temple, Harikanyaka Temple, and Venkatachalapathy Temple among others. Amidst all these temples, lies the captivating Palayur Church exhibiting a unique architectural style. Another place worth visiting here is the Devaswom Museum.
Ooty is a marvel that entices your heart and enthralls your soul and makes you fall in love with itself in a heartbeat. No words can describe the wonder that this place is. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and plan a trip of your lifetime!
Coonoor in Tamil Nadu is one of the most amazing and scenic places to visit near Ooty. Situated at a distance of just 19kms from Ooty, Coonoor is an enchantingly serene place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is perched at a height of 1930 meters and is a perfect place to take a one day trip from Ooty.
If you wish to enjoy the panoramic views of the bewitching Nilgiri hills, then Coonoor is the right getaway for you. One of the places that you should visit if you find yourself in Coonoor is the majestic Catherine falls that offer a much-needed respite from the usual cacophony of life. Other places that you should visit include Law’s Falls, Sim’s Park. Dolphin’s Nose, and Highfield Tea Estate among others for an incredible experience.
Bandipur National Park in Karnataka was once famous for being the hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Mysore. It was later given the status of a reserve in the year 1974. Since then, the beautiful deciduous forests here have been attracting travelers from all over the country and even abroad. These forests have an immense wealth of flora and fauna.
The forest comes dotted with a wide variety of trees, especially teak and sandalwood trees. It is the first Biosphere Reserve of the country. From being a private hunting ground of the royal families of Mysore to being a protected area- this park has undergone an impressive journey. The Nagarhole and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries lie in the proximity of this park, and the Mudumalai National Park is just a few minutes away from here.
The Bandipur National Park offers stunning views of the Nilgiris. Because of its wonderful ecosystem, it is the habitat for several diverse animals such as elephants, hornbills, deers, pythons, sloth bears, pythons, panthers, etc. If you are a nature and wildlife lover, then this park is one of the best places to visit near Ooty. It is situated at a distance of 41kms from Ooty and is a great place for a perfect getaway.
Coimbatore is situated at a distance of approximately 85km from Ooty. Fondly called the ‘Manchester of South India’, Coimbatore enthralls with its stunning mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, mouth-watering cuisines, and pleasant weather all year-round. It is one of the largest cities of Tamil Nadu and a major tourist hub. It is known for its beautiful temples of immense historical, architectural, and religious significance. Some of the most charming temples that you should not miss if you are Coimbatore include the Eachanari Vinayagar Temple, the Maruthamalai Murugan Temple, the Sree Ayyappan Temple, and the Thirumoorthy Malai Temple. Most of these temples are perched on hilltops, so you can get some stunning views of the city from up there!
If you are an adventure enthusiast, Coimbatore can offer you some exciting camping and trekking opportunities. Situated amidst nature in its purest form, trekking in Coimbatore is an unparalleled experience. Some of the most exciting trekking trails that this place offers are the Dhoni Hills, the VellariMala, the Perumal Peak, and the Thalaiyar Falls trek.
Coimbatore is also known across the country for being home to a gigantic and impressive 112 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva, known as the Adiyogi Shiva Statue. The statue has found its place in the Guinness World Book of Records. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the most popular tourist spots here. It is an example of magnificent architecture and is a symbol of self-transformation and inner peace. People come here to marvel at this wonderful creation. It is also a great photography spot.
Another important spot in Coimbatore is the Coimbatore Textile museum. It showcases an important bit of the history of the city as it traces the growth of the Indian textile industry right from the age of spinning to the modern sewing techniques.
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Nestled at a distance of 41km from Ooty, Mudumalai National Park in the Nilgiri District of Tamil Nadu is home to many endangered animal and bird species. It is the connecting link between the Western and Eastern Ghats and shares its borders with Kerala and Karnataka. This protected area is an abode for many rare and endangered species including Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, gaur, and Indian leopard. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is considering it for selection as a World Heritage Site.
It was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 2007 by the Tamil Nadu state government. The Ooty-Mysore highway passes through the forest and zigzags through the Moyar River separating Mudumalai and Bandipur National Park.
Madumalai boasts of an enchanting landscape, pleasant weather, clear blue skies, and an abundance of naturally occurring flora. It also houses many unique and endangered species of birds and animals. The two primates found in this area are the grey langur and bonnet macaque. You can also spot tigers, leopards, dholes, golden jackals, etc. If you love to indulge in some bird watching, this is the perfect place for you.
Located at a distance of 122 km from Ooty, Vythiri in Kerala exudes an irresistible old-world charm, that makes it one of the best weekend getaways from Ooty. It is a resort town that lies dotted with numerous rustic cottages, log huts, and treehouses. If you wish to escape the superficialities of city life and spend some quality time in the vicinity of nature, then Vythiri is an ideal place for you. Some of the exciting places you can visit here include the Pookot Lake, Chembra Peak, Soojipara & Meenmutty Falls, and the MuthangaWildlife Sanctuary.
The quaint town of Palakkad in Kerala is less than 5 hours from Ooty. It mesmerizes you with its scenic surroundings, stunning backwaters, and lush greenery. Palakkad is named after the palm trees that once covered this area. It is situated near a wide low pass in the Western Ghats mountain ranges and is the land of Palmyras and enchanting paddy fields. It is also fondly called the ‘gateway to Kerala’.
Once in Palakkad, pay a visit to the beautiful Palakkad Fort, Silent Valley National Park, Pothundi Dam, Jain Temples, Dhoni Waterfalls, and Walayar Dam among others.
Ooty is a hill-station that has many surprises in store for those who come to visit it. The hill-station is a charmer! And then there are places around it that will just take your breath away. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a lover of the wildlife, or just prefer a holiday amidst nature, you will find in Ooty the things that appeal to you the most. So, if you are looking for a perfect spot to spend a perfect vacation, then you should put Ooty on your list!
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