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This picturesque place nestles in an amphitheatre created by four majestic hills namely the Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill, and Club Hill. These hills are part of the Nilgiri ranges, which are actually the meeting points for the Western and the Eastern Ghats. The name Nilgiri or the Blue Mountains may have been derived from the fact that when the funnel-shaped lavender-blue flowers blossom this picturesque mountain range becomes covered with the colour of the blue lavender making the entire mountain look blue. The original name of the hill station was Udhagamandalam, but with the advent of the British, the name was shortened to Ooty. Every year, it draws thousands of tourists who come to this place to escape from the humid and dusty summer days of the plains.
| Fast Facts |
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| Area: |
30.67 sq km |
| Population: |
93,921 |
| Altitude: |
2286 m above sea level |
| STD Code: |
0423 |
| Languages: |
Tamil, English |
| Annual Mean Rainfall: |
991 mm |
| Maximum Temperature: |
24.3°C |
| Minimum Temperature: |
4.8°C |
| State Capital: |
No |
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History:
The history of Ooty goes back to about 800 years when it was ruled by the Hoysalas. Though much is not known of its early phase, there is mention of the place being ruled by Vishnu Vardhana, the Hoysala king, from AD 1104 to 1141. The local tribe called Todas were one of the earliest inhabitants of Ooty. Ooty also finds mention in the writing of Jacome Ferico, the first European to visit this place in the year 1603.
This hilly region came under the rule of the British East India Company when they signed a treaty with Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam in the year 1799. It was developed into a hill station with the initiative of John Sullivan, a British collector. A government house was built and a typical British lifestyle developed with the setting up of cottages and clubs, with facilities for tennis, golf, and horse riding. The establishment of numerous tea estates in the subsequent years secured Ooty's name in the tourist map of India.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing:
Ooty enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. Though the place can be visited throughout the year, the ideal time is from February to May and September to November. Cotton clothing is apt for the summer months whereas woolens are required for the winters.
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