KOTAGIRI
(Introduction)
Kotagiri
is the oldest and the third largest hill stations in the Nilgiris.
Looming over and above all the surrounding hills in the North-eastern
esca rpments,
its climate is claimed to be one of the best in the World.
Kotagiri
literally means the lines of the house of the Kotas. Kotagiri is
quietly tucked away in the Nilgiris and used to be the summer resort
of the British. Till date the beauty of hill resort of Kotagiri
attracts tourists and the sun scorched souls from far and wide. Unlike
Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri is situated in an 'open-terrace' massif.
At an elevation of 1985 m. the town has developed around numerous
knolls and valleys. The Kotagiri weather is more bracing than that
of Coonoor and balmier than that of Ooty.
KOTAGIRI (Location)
The
hill resort of Kotagiri is located in the famous Nilgiri Hills.
Kotagiri is just 16 km away from Ooty.
KOTAGIRI (Sight Seeing)
The Hill Station of Kotagiri has
several tourist attractions.
Kodanad
View Point: It is 18 kms away from Kotagiri on the easternmost ridges
of the Blue Mountains and hence the name meaning Terminus Country.From
this point, the country lies spread out before the eye sparkling
hills row after as though bathed in the mystic silver sunshine.
The enchanting valley dips down to embrace the historic gajalahatti
pass glancing at the green corpeted paddy fields of Thengumarahaada
and watced over from its eyrie by the habitat of Hallimoyar.While
the River Moyar scurries along to join her pal Bhanvani round the
corner, across the valley of Talamalai ranges of the Eastern Ghats
cuddle upto Mysore Plateau, westerly strides of which again adjoin
the Kodanaadu stairs in the north, over the deeptrenched Mysore
Ditch.
St.
Catherian's Falls: It is 8 km from kotagiri on the
Mettupalyam road branching off at Aravenu. This double-cascaded
Falls is the second highest in the district(250 ft) and it waters
from the upper stream of the kallar river crossed by the invisible
Mettupalyam-Ooty road beyond the mountains in the south-west.
It
is named after the wife of M.D. Cockburn, the pioneer-planter of
Kotagiri. The native name of the Falls is GEddhehaada Halla meaning
"Foothills Dale River".
It
presents a lovely view of the sweeps of forests and woodlands, waylaid
by tea gardens and yet running to meet the plains in the south-western
moorings.The glittering Dolphin's Nose of Coonoor is also seen across
the mighty gap in the hills-one of the three great systems of faults
in the geological formation of the Blue Mountains.
Elk
Falls: It is 7 km from Kotagiri and situate above
Uyilathi village. The road passes through serenely laid out Badaga
habitations.
'Enroute' at the Kannerimukku
village is found the first European house in the Nilgiris built
by collector Sullivan in the year 1819. The two-storeyed house is
now in a sad-state or ruins.
Though the water is fully only
in the wet months, the site is always worth a visit. It commands
towards the north, a spectacular view of the Echoing Valley of Kookal
and a vista of exquisite surroundings.
Long
Wood Shola: About 3 km from the town, the road proceeding
towards the Badaga village of "Milidhane" branes off to
Longwood Shola which is Forest Reserve.
A very primeval tract of wild
enclave, the Shola provides a grand opportunity for bird-withers
and a perfect rendezevous for serenity - seekers.
Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar: It
is 20 kms from Kotagiri via Kil-Kotagiri. The conical peak exudes
an exhilarating view of the wild yet harmonious semblance of the
country lying around.
Topping 1785 m above MSL, the
site is crucially sacred to the Irulas. North by West to the peak
is a huge detached pillar of rock rising abruptly on all sides to
a height of about 400 ft and is unclimable
Further ahead from Kotagiri you
may move to the other renowned hill resorts of Ooty and Coonor.
There are several tea plantations and estates that wrap Kotagiri.
KOTAGIRI (Weather)
Kotagiri experiences pleasant and comfortable weather all through
the year. Thus you may plan your trip to Kotagiri any time of the
year
KOTAGIRI
(Travel Information)
By
Air: The airport at Coimbatore is the nearest to
Kotagiri at a distance of over hundred km.
Road & Rail: Kotagiri
is well linked with the other important places in Tamil Nadu through
road transport. There are regular buses to Ooty, Mettupalayam and
Coonoor
KOTAGIRI (Accommodation)
Accommodation is easily available in Kotagiri. There are
several tourist lodges, guesthouses, hotels,
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