Coonoor is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds. Coonoor provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. During summer, this hill town is over-spilled with holidaymakers. Coonoor is also an ideal locale for filmmakers, both from India and abroad. It formed the backdrop for David Lean's movie A Passage to India (1984) based on E. M. Foster's novel. Coonoor comes under the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty circuit. Coonoor offers panoramic views of the lush green Nilgiri hills, with its ravines, valleys, and waterfalls. One can take a walk through the tea gardens. Bird watching is a popular pastime in Coonoor, as the area boasts of a large variety of species like cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiri verditer, etc. One can also enjoy the ride on the toy train, which connects Coonoor with other hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills. The trip provides some breathtaking views of the Nilgiri hills in all its natural glory.
| Fast Facts |
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| Area |
15.05 sq km |
| Population |
50,079 |
| Languages |
Tamil and English |
| State Capital |
No |
| STD Code |
0423 |
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History
The Nilgiri hills have been the home of the Toda tribe for centuries. Coonoor began to develop as a tourist destination in the 19th century when the British made the region a popular hill station. During summers Coonoor enjoys a mild climate while the burning sun scorches the surrounding plains. The British gentleman, who discovered these hills in 1819, returned the following year to build the first bungalow. Attracted by the temperate climate, the British elite lost no time and established their settlements in the hills. With them came tea plantations. The construction of a railway line accelerated the development of this region.
In those days the rail track from Chennai ended at Mettupalayam. From there the journey to the hills had to be undertaken on pony or bullock cart. In August 1891, the Governor of Chennai laid the foundation of the Nilgiri railway. The concourse was ready within three years, after which a new company undertook the project. In 1897, the line reached Coonoor and was officially inaugurated the following year. By 1908, the line was extended up to Ooty. Today the train is a major attraction and Coonoor attracts a large number of tourists round the year.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
The weather in Coonoor is pleasant. Summers (April-June) are mild, while winters (November-February) are cool. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. The best time to visit Coonoor is between the months of October and March. Cotton clothing in summers and light woolens for winters are apt.
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