Posts Tagged ‘Ooty’

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was surely a great connoisseur of destinations who described Ooty ‘the Queen of Hill Stations’. The short version of Udagamandalam, Ooty is situated at an altitude of 2240 m which blesses the town with salubrious climate and spectacular beauty. The capital of the Nilgiri district in Tamilnadu, Ooty is one of the most acclaimed holidaying retreats characterized by mountains, dense woods, rolling meadows, aromatic tea gardens and lush green valleys. This quaint hill station caught the attention of the British and remained their summer resort for a long time. The enchanting beauty of this paradisaical territory is unparalleled and draws numerous nature lovers. The annual tea and tourism festival is a major lure for the tourists who throng in here in enormous numbers. Visiting this cool hill station during this festive season is a remarkable experience.

The entire town is a feast to the eyes and you just cannot take your eyes off the panoramic vistas offered by this place. The lake at Ooty is the prime landmark and enriches the exquisiteness of this town. There are several other places of tourist interest in Ooty that should not be missed out. Botanical Gardens made by the Marquis of Tweepdale is located on the downhill slopes of the Dodabetta peak. This charming garden is replete with lily ponds and many curt bushes. A fossil of tree trunk here is a top draw amongst the tourists as it is believed to be 20 million years old.

The St. Stephen’s Church is one of the oldest churches in Nilgiri and was built in the year 1829. Some of the other noteworthy attractions in Ooty comprise Government Museum, Ketty Valley View and Doddabetta.

Ooty is also popular for a number of interesting and picture perfect sites that can be explored during the excursions. In your leisure, you can embark on the short excursions and discover some of the unfrequented places of pristine beauty. Some of the important spots you must visit on your excursions are Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagiri, Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose, Avalanche and Coonoor. Apart from these attractions, Ooty is also recognized for its fairs and festivals when the entire ambiance is filled with joy and excitement. Makar Pongal and Flower Show are the two events besides the renowned tea and tourism festival which is held annually.

Relax and luxuriate in any of your favorite  hotels. You choose any Hotels in Ooty to put up in. There are various types of accommodations available in Ooty and include the luxury, heritage, three star and budget categories. The unmatched south Indian hospitality will surely win the heart of even the most discriminating tourists.

Ooty is well linked by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is located in Coimbatore and is well connected to Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore. Mettupalayam is the main railway station on narrow gauge and is connected to Chennai.

Ooty has motorable road network and regular bus services for Ooty are available from Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanya Kumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut and Tirupati.

Choose this captivating hill station for your tour the next time you visit India as it promises to make your tour a rewarding experience.

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2240 meters above sea level

We spent the week around Christmas in Ooty, one of the so-called Hill Stations where the British upper classes used to escape to in the summer months. The weather there was nice, and there was some nice touristy things to do, of which this Thread Garden was probably the most interesting. Designed by a Kerala artist, all the plants here are imitation, made only out of thread (surrounding cardboard for shaping), and no needles are used in the process. Supposedly this is the only place in the world to see it, if nothing else it’s an interesting artform, if not a “Miracle” as the signs all around the exhibition proclaimed!

Ooty which is a part of Tamil Nadu, South India is by far one of the most sought after and beautiful hill stations of the south. It is no wonder why it is popularly also called as the ‘queen of hill stations’. Known to very few, Ooty was originally called Udhagamadalam and sometimes even Ootacamund. Ooty is only a short form for Ootacamund. Ooty is located at a height of about 8000 feet above sea level and is a part of the famous Nilgiri mountain ranges in south India. Just like many other hill stations in India, Ooty was also founded by the British in the beginning of the 19th century. The place had served as a summer retreat for the British in the old days. The weather is mostly pleasant all year round however it could drop to as low as aero degree Celsius in the winters. The place attracts tourists all year round and has always been a favourite hot spot to many. The beautiful landscapes, tea gardens, little huts and cottages surrounding the mountainous regions and the ever rising mist among the greens make Ooty a little paradise of the south.

It was the establishment of the tea gardens and estates that popularized Ooty as a famous holiday destination. The dense forests and huge acres and hectares of beautiful evergreen tea gardens adorn the lengths and breadths of Ooty. It is very unfortunate to know that apart from the natural beauty of the place, the hill towns today suffer from overcrowding, pollution, water shortage, bad roads and erosion. However, the places surrounding the town are still untouched. The virgin land has much to explore with its protected forests, stunning landscapes and picture perfect views from the majestic hills above.

Reaching Ooty

Ooty is accessible to tourists by plane, rail and road. Whatever the means of travel may be, once you get there the fresh smell of the breeze and the cool air will freshen your senses as if the distance you travelled was barely anything at all.

By Air: The closest airport to Ooty is at Coimbatore which is approximately a 3 hour drive. There are frequent flights to Coimbatore from almost every part of the country. Air India, Jet Airways, Go air, Paramount and Air Deccan are a few airlines that can be named. You also have the option to fly to Bangalore and drive down to Ooty which is approximately a 6 hour drive. The road trip from any of these places is quite scenic as the roads that take you to Ooty are mostly through dense forests and good roads.

By Train: Train Number 2671, the Nilgiri Express leaves to Mettupalayam which is a little town on the foothills of the Nilgiris from Chennai. Since this is only a night journey, most of the scenic adventures are lost. However, a good nap before you reach there is always a good idea. From Mettupalayam one can either choose to drive to Ooty are take another diesel powered mini train which is over 200 years old and takes a longer time to reach its destination. During peak season cab drivers and other transport vendors charge tourists an exorbitant price to take them to Ooty. You also have the option to go to Coimbatore by rail and then drive down to Ooty which is again a 3 hour drive.

By Road: Though Ooty is located in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is very close to the Karnataka and Kerala border. From Bangalore Ooty is only about 280 kilometres away and the roads are very well maintained. The Bangalore-Mysore highway that was recently built is an excellent road and gets you to Mysore pretty fast. From Mysore one can travel through Bandipur which is protected forest before reaching Ooty. The winding roads and the scenic landscapes make this an excellent experience. If you are lucky you may spot some of the animals that live around this region like the spotted dear, elephants, tigers and monkeys. There are many Dhabas and restaurants on the way, so you can always stop on the way to grab a quick bite or relax. You also have the option to travel by bus or hire a cab or a mini bus that have frequent shuttles to Ooty and back. Travel by road is most preferred as the roads are good, the drive beautiful and the expense affordable.

The Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India. Kudremukh, Kemmangundi, Agumbe, Horanadu, Nandi Hills are some of the poplar sights. Tourism hasn’t affected these places like Ooty (in Tamil Nadu) which is falling victim to commercialization.
Apart from scenic treks, bird watching, boating and picturesque waterfalls, these areas are also close to major coffee producing areas in the state, making a trip all the more interesting. Many resorts have sprung up to accommodate those who want to relax.

1. Agumbe Hillstation
2. B. R . Hills
3. Bababudangiri Hills
4. Biligiri Hills
5. Bisle Ghat Hillstation
6. Coonoor Hillstation
7. Gangamoola Hillstation
8. Horanadu Hillstation
9. Kemmannugundi Hillstation
10. Kudremukh Hillstation
11. Munnar Hillstation
12. Nandi hills
13. Ooty Hillstation
14. Savanadurga Hill station
15. Yana Hills
16. Yercaud Hillstation

Reference: Hill Station in Karnataka
Link: http://www.bangaloreorbit.com/india-karnataka/hill-stations-in-karnataka/bangalore

Author Profile:

This is Srikanth from India, I am frequent traveler and working in Medical Domain. My hobbies writing medical related article,travel related articles and doing research in medical tourism. Please reach me on http://www.cmsGalaxy.com

The Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India. Kudremukh, Kemmangundi, Agumbe, Horanadu, Nandi Hills are some of the poplar sights. Tourism hasn’t affected these places like Ooty (in Tamil Nadu) which is falling victim to commercialization.
Apart from scenic treks, bird watching, boating and picturesque waterfalls, these areas are also close to major coffee producing areas in the state, making a trip all the more interesting. Many resorts have sprung up to accommodate those who want to relax.

Karnataka with its capital at Bangalore is the country’s 8th largest state. It is a charming land of Southern India has rich history and culture. It is located at Deccan Plateau, and is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north, Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Kerala to the southwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east and Tamil Nadu to southeast. Karnataka’s economy benefits from gold, manganese, oilseed, coffee, silk and sandalwood production. Over 90% of India’s gold production comes from south Karnataka.

Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee, raw silk and sandalwood based products.

1. Agumbe Hillstation
Agumbe, a small village located in Karnataka for all those who wish to find peace with nature in the western ghats. It is known to be the wettest region in Karnataka receiving highest rainfall. The tiny village is much known for its beautiful sunset and the trek opportunities it offer. It is also famous for its glorious sunsets and travelers on the highway from Shimoga to Udupi or Mangalore. This was the town where the classic serial “Malgudi days” was filmed. A number of trekking trails are available from Agumbe. This place receives the highest rainfall in the state. Post monsoon is the most beautiful time to visit, never mind the leeches.

2. B. R . Hills
B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Situated at a height of 5,091 feet, B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique blend of resort and wildlife sanctuary, a must for wildlife lovers. Dancing trees, whistling winds and swirling streams form a backdrop to some very rare animal. The B.R Wildlife sanctuary is 3,375 ft above sea level and is spread over an area of 540 sq. kms of undulating hills and valleys covered in deciduous forests and Sholas.

3. Bababudangiri Hills
Bababudangiri shrine (also known as Dattatreya Peeta or Dattatreya Peetha) is a shrine located on Bababudangiri hill in the Chikmagalur District of the state of Karnataka in India.This peak is one of the highest in Karnataka. This peak can be reached from Chikamagalur which is around 250+km’s away from Bangalore. This peak is about 20+km’s from Chikamagalur. Few buses (not frequent) will take you to the spot where the “darga” is situated. From there it is few km’s walk to the peak which has some old station of the telecom dept.

4. Biligiri Hills
Biligiri Hills is a must for any person who wants to release his drudgery and stimulate his spirit by basking in the joy of natural glory. Located almost 120km from Mysore and 247kms from Bangalore, the picturesque Biligiri Hills are situated between the rivers Cauvery and Kapila. Biligiri signifies `white capped`, though the hills are hued in shimmering blue colours. Rising to a height of almost 5,091 ft above mean sea level, the hill extends from north to south for approximately sixteen kms. To the west, the lower hills are sheltered with wet deciduous forestry where elephants roam in abundance.

5. Bisle Ghat Hillstation

6. Coonoor Hillstation
oonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, surrounded by tea plantations, at an altitude of 1839 metres. Its climate is milder than Ooty. It is a very popular weekend get away for the people in Coimbatore. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.Coonoor is on the toy-train line between Mettupalayam (28 km) and Ooty. A popular pastime is
birdwatching, as an extensive variety of birds can be spotted. The main attraction is the Sim’s Park, a small well maintained botanical garden that has several varieties of plants. It is about 19kms to the south of Ooty and is accessible by both train and road.

7. Gangamoola Hillstation
Located in the Samse Taluk of Chikmagalur district, the Gangamoola hill is surrounded by thick forests. It is the origin of three mighty rivers, the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi. The highlights of the region are a Goddess Bhagavathi shrine and a Varaha image, 1.8 metres high, within a cave, which become inaccessible during the monsoonsBeing an integral part of Samse Three mighty rivers, namely the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi originate from here.

8. Horanadu Hillstation
Horanadu the holy city of Chickmagalur district of Karnataka, is famous for the Annapoorneshwari Temple. Dedicated to Goddess Annapurneshwari, Goddess of Food and Grains.It is believed that one who visits the temple and takes the blessing of the Deity one shall never go hungry in their life. Annadana (free meals) is ritually provided by the temple organization 3 times a day. This is a form of Prasada (blessing) from the deity.

9. Kemmannugundi Hillstation
55 kms north from Chickmagalur town on the Baba Budan range is the scenic hill station of Kemmannugundi called K.R hills, after the Wodeyar king Krishnaraja Wodeyar – IV who made it his favorite summer camp. Situated at a height of 1434 meters and surrounded by thick green forests. K.R Hills makes and ideal health resort. Beautifully laid out ornamental gardens, salubrious climate throughout the year and the panoramic view of mountains and valleys are just a few of the attractions. Kemmengundi Rajbhavan is also seen in the photo. Horticultural Department is maintaining the beautiful gardens here in the top of the hill station.
This beautiful hill station of Karnataka in well situated in the grassy lands of the Western Ghats, just after the malenaadu region.

10. Kudremukh Hillstation
The unspoilt Kundadri hill station in Karnataka situated in Teerthahalli taluk of Shimoga, still remains one of the favorite spots for tourists keen in mountain trekking. The mountains are unexplored and one can feel the excitement in discovering new pathways to the peak. Kundadri hill station is a huge monolithic rock formation about 3200 feet above sea level. It is covered with dense evergreen forests.

11. Munnar Hillstation
Munnar, also known as the Kashmir of South India is a peaceful hill station with its impeccable beauty has become the most sought after destination for a holiday. Munnar was the erstwhile ‘Summer Capital’ of the British Government in South India. It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala and an adjoining parts of Tamilnadu. The very name ‘Munnar’ means three rivers and there are actually three of them, confluence of three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala 5000ft above sea level. Munnar consists of vast sloping areas of tea, most of which mostly are owned by Tata Tea. Coffee and cardamom

12. Nandi hills
Nandi Hills is a hot favourite among Bangaloreans who find this an ideal get-away for weekends. The 1478-m high Nandi Hills is the originating point of many rivers.
And the forests surrounding the hills, abound with wild animals. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills, which can be visited on foot.

13. Ooty Hillstation
Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.

14. Savanadurga Hill station

A left turn some 7 kms before Magadi in Magadi road reduced our travel distance by some 8 kms and itz around 65 kms from bangalore city. Nice road to drive on and lotz of quarries on the way and road having lotz of bends and turns makes your drive a splendid one. The road which we turned before magadi took us via a village (some 4 kms stretch) which resembles the one shown in Tamil movies by Bharathiraja (in Tamil). Honking for hens, Goats and Cows we drove thro’ that village and reached the main road which connects Savandurga and Hosapte (near magadi). And you will not miss the big Bangalore tourism hoarding of savandurga hill. Take left there and the road thro’ thick vegetation leads to savandurga.

15. Yana Hills

16. Yercaud Hillstation
Yercaud Situated 1,515 metres high in the Shevaroy Hills, in the state of Tamil Nadu, Yercaud is quiet little hill station on the Eastern ghats is the only one of its kind in northern Tamil Nadu. While the rest of this region is generally dry, Yercaud presents a welcome contrast with its cool climate where temperature never rises above 30 º C and dip below 13 º C . It is also a less expensive place than either Udhagamandalam or Kodaikkanal the peaceful hill station of Yercaud nestles among coffee plantations and thickly forested slopes and is a good place for trekking and boating.

Reference: Hill Station in Karnataka
Link: http://www.bangaloreorbit.com/india-karnataka/hill-stations-in-karnataka/bangalore

The Himalayas, the highest mountain in the world, the north to the east; Aravalli and Vindhya ranges passes over western and central India and Western Ghats in the western and southern parts of India is full of hills and interview some of the most famous landscapes in the world.
Indian Hill stations are a traveler in the sky, gifted with snowy peaks, deep gorges, green valleys, misty forests, sparkling rivers, lakes and flower filled meadows sapphire. This fuzzy, mysterious and quiet hill stations India are a perfect cultural objectives.

Hill Tours of India – Shimla
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh is a fab Hill Station circumvented by dense forests of various types. The hill station Shimla tours fascinated the tourists with their copiousness of natural beauty and the locals are preferred to live in this beautiful hill on the ground in India. The goal is an ideal place for adventure tourism, and especially those who love fishing, golfing, skiing, hiking, etc. Open-air ice skating is an ideal activity for adventure lovers. The popular holiday destinations for adventure and camping are Fagu, Kulfri and Naldhera. Shimla Tour also a magnificent view of the sunset .

Hill Stations Tour – Ooty
This green and picturesque hill station in the south of India is located at an altitude of 2240 m. also known as the “Queen of Hill Stations” is located in the state of Tamil station. The rich flora of various kinds, such as conifers, pines and eucalyptus, the region attracts more with funnel-shaped lavender. What is fascinating is the Nilgiri Mountains, pony trekking and fishing, the Botanical Garden, Ooty Club, etc. The tourists can train up the hill station of the Blue Mountain from Mettupalayam to Ooty. Hill Station Tour of Ooty in love with her four royal hill – Elk Hill, Snowdon, Doddabetta and Club Hill, the combined a Congregation for the Western and Eastern Ghats. Trekking, hand-gliding, fishing and other activities with lush greenery, bright flowers, deep forests, lakes and waterfalls, the Hill Station Tours Ooty more excitable and enjoyable.

India Hill stations – Darjeeling and Gangtok
The name “Darjeeling” derives its name from the Tibetan word “Dorje” stands for a precious stone or the flash and “recycling” what is. Darjeeling and Gangtok are a formidable combination of calm, green hills, panoramic views and, above all, the enchanting beauty of the mighty Kanchanjunga. These hills are covered by an atmosphere of despair, and they offer a wonderful view of the huge planes, nice quiet monasteries, tea plantations and fruit garden lies below. The holidays in Darjeeling Hill Station are delightful and charming, if the journey is the Toy Train! His tracks climb from sea level up to a height of about 7500 m in only about 70 km. It covers about 83 km in six or seven hours, while the breeze of the mountains. Onlineooty.com services provided by ooty Hotels, Ooty Real Estates

Travel to a Popular Hill Stations in South India Yelagiri Hills

If you are looking to get away from rampant commercialisation a-la-ooty style then Yelagiri hills is the place to be.
You can sit back and relax in the comforting surroundings of lush green hillsin cooler and quieter surroundings.
Yelagiri Hills is in  Tamil Nadu  the is all set to emerge as the Para-gliding hotspot in India.
Yelagiri, at a height of 920 meters above sea level, stands majestically amidst fourmountains. This is a hill station
 with a salubrious climate prevailing throughout the year so that winters do not keep visitors away. The main inhabitants
of the area are the tribals who live in the 14 small villages which comprise Yelagiri.
Yelagiri is about 150 km from Bangalore and 250 km from Chennai (Madras), good for a four hour bike ride with breaks along
 the way. Take the NH7 out of Bangalore towards Hosur, turn towards Chennai (onto NH46) at Krishnagiri and continue until you get just before Vaniyambadi. You can see the Hills from quite a distance (on your right). The routes are all marked with signboards in English. It takes about and hour to drive to the peak of the hill, the weather in Yelagiri is pleasant during summer and winter though its not
as ciold as  Ooty or Kodaikanal especially in winters.
Please note there are no petrol stations in Yelagiri, thus you have to fillup the tank at the last available petrol station in the plains . Except for a few tyre-changers there are no vehicle repair shops in the hills.Therefore it would be wise to
carry a repair tool-kit in the car or bike with necessary tools in case of on-road repairs.

Also, please take your first-aid kit along with your regular medicines, if any, with you. There is a government primary health centre, and a private clinic (in which the doctor is from CMC vellore). The nearest health centre is in Tirupattur.
Boating on Punganur Lake —  This is an artificial lake, excavated in an area of 57 sq meters. The Elagiri Hills Development and Tourism Promotion Society runs the Boat Club, with pedaling and rowing boats. There is a newly laid flori cultural garden with a pathway along the bund with a panoramic view of the lake on one side and the garden on the other. A connecting bridge leads the pathway around the lake. The pathway around the lake is particularly good for birding. There is also a small watch tower  constructed next to a tree which can be climbed. Home made honey and jack fruit (on season) are available in Yellagiri Hills. Even the Home made Honey can be get from YMCA with Good Quality and taste, You can believe that it is original. Otherwise you have to check whether its original.
There is a small house near YMCA, where you can get pure malai thein (mountain honey). The weekly market (Sandhai) assembles in Athanavoor on fridays.

There are no ATMs in Yelagiri. So, make sure you have enough cash in hand before your journey up hill.

Joyfull journey on the World famous Toy Train from Mettupalaiyam to OOTY, the QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS!!!

Travel to a Popular Hill Stations in South India Yelagiri Hills–

 If you are looking to get away from rampant commercialisation a-la-ooty style then Yelagiri hills is the place to be.   You can sit back and relax in the comforting surroundings of lush green hills in cooler and quieter surroundings.
Yelagiri Hills is in  Tamil Nadu  is all set to emerge as the Para-gliding hotspot in India.
Yelagiri, at a height of 920 meters above sea level, stands majestically amidst four mountains. This is a hill station  with a salubrious climate prevailing throughout the year so that winters do not keep visitors away. The main inhabitants of the area are the tribals who live in the 14 small villages which comprise Yelagiri.
Yelagiri is about 150 km from Bangalore and 250 km from Chennai (Madras), good for a four hour bike ride or car-drive with breaks along  the way. Take the NH7 out of Bangalore towards Hosur, turn towards Chennai (onto NH46) at Krishnagiri and continue until you get just before Vaniyambadi. You can see the Hills from quite a distance (on your right). The routes are all marked with signboards in English. It takes about and hour to drive to the peak of the hill, the weather in Yelagiri is pleasant during summer and winter though its not as cold as  Ooty or Kodaikanal especially in winters.
Please note there are no petrol stations in Yelagiri, thus you have to fillup the tank at the last available petrol station in the plains .Except for a few tyre changers there are no vehicle repair shops in the hills.Therefore it would be wise to carry a repair tool-kit in the car or bike with necessary tools in caseof need for on-road repairs.

Also, please take your first-aid kit along with your regular medicines, if any, with you. There is a government primary health centre, and a private clinic (in which the doctor is from CMC vellore). The nearest health centre is in Tirupattur.
Boating on Punganur Lake
This is an artificial lake, excavated in an area of 57 sq meters. The Elagiri Hills Development and Tourism Promotion
Society runs the Boat Club, with pedaling and rowing boats. There is a newly laid flori cultural garden with a pathway
along the bund with a panoramic view of the lake on one side and the garden on the other. A connecting bridge leads the
pathway around the lake. The pathway around the lake is particularly good for birding. There is also a small watch tower
 constructed next to a tree which can be climbed.
Home made honey and jack fruit (on season) are available in Yellagiri Hills. Even the Home made Honey can be get from
YMCA with Good Quality and taste, You can believe that it is original. Otherwise you have to check whether its original.
There is a small house near YMCA, where you can get pure malai thein (mountain honey). The weekly market (Sandhai)
assembles in Athanavoor on fridays.

This video was taken in 2003; OOTY also known as Udhagamandalam is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2240 meters above sea level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. The charming Nilgiri Hill Railway, blue and cream with wooden coaches and large windows, is widely regarded as a marvel of engineering. t the height of 2600m stands Udhagamandalam (Ooty) The Queen of Hill Stations. The Nilgiris toy train connect Ooty to mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris. The construction of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky. It was in 1854 that the first plans were drawn to build a mountain railway from mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. But it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that the first train chugged up this track. This railway is widely regarded as a marvel of engineering. The train itself is a charming blue and cream with wooden coaches and large windows. It is hauled up hills …

Ooty Preserved: A Victorian Hill Station in India

Trip to Ooty conducted by Muneer KM ,Sirajuddeen KM, Mahmood UA, Jasim Khalid, Shemeer Kassim, Ishaq AK (Aaji) on 13-14 December 2008

Ooty Preserved: Victorian Hill Station in India

The Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India. Kudremukh, Kemmangundi, Agumbe, Horanadu, Nandi Hills are some of the poplar sights. Tourism hasn’t affected these places like Ooty (in Tamil Nadu) which is falling victim to commercialization.

Apart from scenic treks, bird watching, boating and picturesque waterfalls, these areas are also close to major coffee producing areas in the state, making a trip all the more interesting. Many resorts have sprung up to accommodate those who want to relax.

Navigate BangaloreOrbit for Details Information.

Karnataka with its capital at Bangalore is the country’s 8th largest state. It is a charming land of Southern India has rich history and culture. It is located at Deccan Plateau, and is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north, Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Kerala to the southwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east and Tamil Nadu to southeast. Karnataka’s economy benefits from gold, manganese, oilseed, coffee, silk and sandalwood production. Over 90% of India’s gold production comes from south Karnataka.
Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee, raw silk and sandalwood based products.

Agumbe Hillstation

Agumbe, a small village located in Karnataka for all those who wish to find peace with nature in the western ghats. It is known to be the wettest region in Karnataka receiving highest rainfall. The tiny village is much known for its beautiful sunset and the trek opportunities it offer. It is also famous for its glorious sunsets and travelers on the highway from Shimoga to Udupi or Mangalore. This was the town where the classic serial “Malgudi days” was filmed. A number of trekking trails are available from Agumbe. 
This place receives the highest rainfall in the state. Post monsoon is the most beautiful time to visit, never mind the leeches.  For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

B. R . Hills

B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Situated at a height of 5,091 feet, B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique blend of resort and wildlife sanctuary, a must for wildlife lovers. Dancing trees, whistling winds and swirling streams form a backdrop to some very rare animal. The B.R Wildlife sanctuary is 3,375 ft above sea level and is spread over an area of 540 sq. kms of undulating hills and valleys covered in deciduous forests and Sholas. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Bababudangiri Hills

Bababudangiri shrine (also known as Dattatreya Peeta or Dattatreya Peetha) is a shrine located on Bababudangiri hill in the Chikmagalur District of the state of Karnataka in India.This peak is one of the highest in Karnataka. This peak can be reached from Chikamagalur which is around 250+km’s away from Bangalore. This peak is about 20+km’s from Chikamagalur. Few buses (not frequent) will take you to the spot where the “darga” is situated. From there it is few km’s walk to the peak which has some old station of the telecom dept. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Biligiri Hills

Biligiri Hills is a must for any person who wants to release his drudgery and stimulate his spirit by basking in the joy of natural glory. Located almost 120km from Mysore and 247kms from Bangalore, the picturesque Biligiri Hills are situated between the rivers Cauvery and Kapila. Biligiri signifies `white capped`, though the hills are hued in shimmering blue colours. Rising to a height of almost 5,091 ft above mean sea level, the hill extends from north to south for approximately sixteen kms. To the west, the lower hills are sheltered with wet deciduous forestry where elephants roam in abundance. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Bisle Ghat Hillstation

Coonoor Hillstation

oonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, surrounded by tea plantations, at an altitude of 1839 metres. Its climate is milder than Ooty. It is a very popular weekend get away for the people in Coimbatore. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.Coonoor is on the toy-train line between Mettupalayam (28 km) and Ooty. A popular pastime is
birdwatching, as an extensive variety of birds can be spotted. The main attraction is the Sim’s Park, a small well maintained botanical garden that has several varieties of plants. It is about 19kms to the south of Ooty and is accessible by both train and road. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Gangamoola Hillstation

Located in the Samse Taluk of Chikmagalur district, the Gangamoola hill is surrounded by thick forests. It is the origin of three mighty rivers, the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi. The highlights of the region are a Goddess Bhagavathi shrine and a Varaha image, 1.8 metres high, within a cave, which become inaccessible during the monsoonsBeing an integral part of Samse Three mighty rivers, namely the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi originate from here. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Horanadu Hillstation

Horanadu the holy city of Chickmagalur district of Karnataka, is famous for the Annapoorneshwari Temple. Dedicated to Goddess Annapurneshwari, Goddess of Food and Grains.It is believed that one who visits the temple and takes the blessing of the Deity one shall never go hungry in their life. Annadana (free meals) is ritually provided by the temple organization 3 times a day. This is a form of Prasada (blessing) from the deity.For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Kemmannugundi Hillstation

55 kms north from Chickmagalur town on the Baba Budan range is the scenic hill station of Kemmannugundi called K.R hills, after the Wodeyar king Krishnaraja Wodeyar – IV who made it his favorite summer camp. Situated at a height of 1434 meters and surrounded by thick green forests. K.R Hills makes and ideal health resort. Beautifully laid out ornamental gardens, salubrious climate throughout the year and the panoramic view of mountains and valleys are just a few of the attractions. Kemmengundi Rajbhavan is also seen in the photo. Horticultural Department is maintaining the beautiful gardens here in the top of the hill station.
This beautiful hill station of Karnataka in well situated in the grassy lands of the Western Ghats, just after the malenaadu region. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Kudremukh Hillstation

The unspoilt Kundadri hill station in Karnataka situated in Teerthahalli taluk of Shimoga, still remains one of the favorite spots for tourists keen in mountain trekking. The mountains are unexplored and one can feel the excitement in discovering new pathways to the peak. Kundadri hill station is a huge monolithic rock formation about 3200 feet above sea level. It is covered with dense evergreen forests. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Munnar Hillstation

Munnar, also known as the Kashmir of South India is a peaceful hill station with its impeccable beauty has become the most sought after destination for a holiday. Munnar was the erstwhile ‘Summer Capital’ of the British Government in South India. It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala and an adjoining parts of Tamilnadu. The very name ‘Munnar’ means three rivers and there are actually three of them, confluence of three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala 5000ft above sea level. Munnar consists of vast sloping areas of tea, most of which mostly are owned by Tata Tea. Coffee and cardamom For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Nandi hills

Nandi Hills is a hot favourite among Bangaloreans who find this an ideal get-away for weekends. The 1478-m high Nandi Hills is the originating point of many rivers.

And the forests surrounding the hills, abound with wild animals. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills, which can be visited on foot.For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Ooty Hillstation

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Savanadurga Hill station

A left turn some 7 kms before Magadi in Magadi road reduced our travel distance by some 8 kms and itz around 65 kms from bangalore city. Nice road to drive on and lotz of quarries on the way and road having lotz of bends and turns makes your drive a splendid one. The road which we turned before magadi took us via a village (some 4 kms stretch) which resembles the one shown in Tamil movies by Bharathiraja (in Tamil). Honking for hens, Goats and Cows we drove thro’ that village and reached the main road which connects Savandurga and Hosapte (near magadi). And you will not miss the big Bangalore tourism hoarding of savandurga hill. Take left there and the road thro’ thick vegetation leads to savandurga. For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Yana Hills

Yercaud Hillstation

Yercaud Situated 1,515 metres high in the Shevaroy Hills, in the state of Tamil Nadu, Yercaud is quiet little hill station on the Eastern ghats is the only one of its kind in northern Tamil Nadu. While the rest of this region is generally dry, Yercaud presents a welcome contrast with its cool climate where temperature never rises above 30 º C and dip below 13 º C . It is also a less expensive place than either Udhagamandalam or Kodaikkanal the peaceful hill station of Yercaud nestles among coffee plantations and thickly forested slopes and is a good place for trekking and boating.For more info refer BangaloreOrbit.com

Reference:

List of Hill Station in Karnataka

http://www.bangaloreorbit.com/india-karnataka/hill-stations-in-karnataka/bangalore

EXPERIENCE THE CHILL AND THRILL OF NILGIRIS

Shivering chill and sweating heat are the characteristics of India. The hill stations of India are the perfect relief from the heating hot and to enjoy nature. With snow covered mountains, meandering rivers, apples, cherries and pines orchids, the hill stations of India offer a relief from the sweating heat of the summers. They allure the tourists again and again to breath in their lap.

India is bestowed with some of the beautiful hill stations. Infact tourists often get confused where to lay down in this huge lap of nature. Some famous hill stations of North India are Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, Ladakh, Nainital, Almora, Badrinath, Kausani, Mussoorie, Gulmarg, Pahalgaon, Mount Abu and many more. In the enchanting east it is darjeeling.

Shivering chill and sweating heat are the characteristics of India. The hill stations of India are the perfect relief from the heating hot and to enjoy nature. With snow covered mountains, meandering rivers, apples, cherries and pines orchids, the hill stations of India offer a relief from the sweating heat of the summers. They allure the tourists again and again to breath in their lap.

India is bestowed with some of the beautiful hill stations. Infact tourists often get confused where to lay down in this huge lap of nature. Some famous hill stations of North India are Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, Ladakh, Nainital, Almora, Badrinath, Kausani, Mussoorie, Gulmarg, Pahalgaon, Mount Abu and many more. In the enchanting east it is darjeeling, sikkim, shillong and kohima. We get Mount abu, Lonavala, Panchgani, Satputa etc. in the wonderful west. And the soothing south offers us with places like Munnar, Ooty, Coorg, Kodaikannal and coonoor.

All hill stations of India are beautiful their own way. My endeavor in this article is to provide the tourists about the glimpses of the hill stations of North India.

Shimla – Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the beautiful hill stations of North India. There are some interesting places in and around Shimla like Kurfi, Naldehra, Jaku temple, Institution of Advance studies and so on. The picturesque surroundings of Shimla is completely different and it is often compared with European country. Shimla is famous for outdoor sports like skating, river rafting, rock climbing and trekking.

Manali – Another mind blowing spot in the lap of Himachal Pradesh is Manali. It is a favourite honeymoon spot. Besides the historical temples, the river Vyas gives the city a rhythmic touch. Rohtang pass, 51 km from Manali town is really a breathtaking place with snow surrounding the area. The Mall Road of Manali is an exciting place for shopping.

Dalhousie – This romantic hill station of Himachal Pradesh reminds us of the colonial era. A part from lush greenery, the churches of Dalhousie are famous tourists’ attractions.

Nainital – Nainital is a lovely town in the hill of Kumaon. It is dotted with lakes but the most prominent lake is the Naini lake. Places like Bhimtal, Ranikhet, Ramgarh, Kasauni, Mukteshwar are some of the places with beautiful landscape near Nainital.

Mussoorie – Mussoorie, the ‘queen of the hill’, is situated in the Garhwal hills. Dehradoon and Mussoorie are very near by and tourist often cover these two places on their visit to the Garhwal hills.

Gulmarg and Pahalgaon – Gulmarg and Pahalgaon are two places in Jammu and Kashmir, and are considered as paradise on earth. Hiking around the hills, pony riding, trekking to near by mountain lakes are what make the places truly special.

Ladakh – The most spectacular hill stations of north India is Ladakh. It is completely different from the other hill stations of India. It is the most remote region of Himalayan Kingdom. Ladakh is described as the ‘land of high passes’. It is a land of Lamas.

Chardham- Badrinath, Kedar nath, Gangotri, Yamunotri are the Hindu pilgrimage located in the backdrop of enchanting Himalaya. These places are ideal spots for religious people. The serene tranquil beauty with mythological background, the char dham are often described as land of God.

It is a never ending task when some one starts about describing the hill stations of north India. It is not possible to give a vivid description of all the hill stations. But holidays in any of the hill stations of north India give the tourist a lasting impression of hugging nature.

Getting there

All the hill stations of North India are easily accessible from Delhi or via Delhi. Only Ladakh needs a bit prior planning

Accommodation

All the hill stations have plenty of accommodations but during peak season due to excessive rush it is always suggested to do the prior booking of the hotels.