The Hill Resorts of Tamil Nadu

Photo Source: Flickr under creative commons lisence.

To feel the touch of nature, Ooty is a exact place for the lovers of nature. Ooty is one of the most admired tourist hill resorts in India. Ooty also mentioned as Udhagamandalam in native language Tamil. It is the "Queen of hill stations" and the head quarters of Nilgiris district. Nilgiris stands for "Blue Mountains". It is a land of enjoyable picnic spots and used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Englishmen during the British colonial days. It excels with fresh vegetation and sceneries. It is placed at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. It magnetizes the tourists by its charming flowers, Lofty mountains, dense forest, acres and acres of green tea estates etc. This beautiful hill resort, drags quite a number of tourists from all over the world. The natural beauty of this province is outstanding and unforgettable. Apart from the natural splendors, Ooty has many more enticements that are worth a visit.

A summer festival is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Gardens. The Flower Show is the best part of this festival. There are many Cultural programmes prearranged for those interested in traditional classical arts. Adventure sports like trekking also forms branch of the festival. The annual "Tea and Tourism Festival" renowned in the month of January, is a festival drawing quite a number of tourists.

Photo Source: Flickr under creative commons lisence.

The important place to visit is the Botanical Gardens sprawled over an area of 50-acre. It was established by Marquis of Tweeddale in the year 1848. These gardens lie on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak - the highest point in Ooty.

Photo Source: Flickr under creative commons lisence.

Kodaikanal is one of the most admired hill resorts in India. It is positioned at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-km. It is a pleasant hill resort, stands amongst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. With its rocks, woods, lovely lake and refreshing air, Kodaikanal is a perfect hill resort for the tourists. The hill town is well-known for its educational institutions of international repute. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are acknowledged for their freshness and taste. The Berijam lake, one of the beautiful lakes of South India, spreads over an area of 24 hectares.

Kodaikanal is known for its gorgeous and ancient churches. Kodaikanal's rich Christian culture and tradition, still stands apart. One of the olden churches is the "Mother Salette" church, which is 133 years old. Every year on the 14th and 15th of august, an exclusive carnival takes place at this church. This brings about the conclusion to a Nine-day festival.This festival attracts a worshippers of people from all over south India, irrespective of religion, creed or faith. The festival is marked by special services and a special procession.

The matchless flowering plant 'Kurunji'(Strobilanthus Kunthanus) is nature's gift to Kodaikanal that last bloomed in 2004. Kodaikanal situated amidst the folds of the verdant Palani hills is one of the most popular peaceful hill resort in India, which mesmerises any tourist and is frequented all through the year.

Photo Source: Flickr under creative commons lisence.

Yercaud Positioned 1,515 metres high in the Shevaroy Hills, in the state of Tamil Nadu. Yercaud is quiet little hill resort on the Eastern ghats is the only one of its kind in northern part of Tamil Nadu. While the rest of this area is normally dry, Yercaud presents a difference with its cool climate where temperature never rises above 30 º C and dip below 13 º C. It is also a less costly place than either Ooty or Kodaikkanal the peaceful hill station of Yercaud cuddle up among coffee plantations and thickly forested slopes and is a good place for trekking and boating. Once you get into this comforting, lake-centred, quiet and uninterrupted green place, you don't have to do anything but unwind. The town gets its name from the lake situated at its center. InTamil language, "Yeri" means "lake" and "Kaadu" means "forest". Yercaud is acknowledged for coffee plantations and orange groves. It also has an orchidarium proceeded by the Botanical Survey of India.