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Hill Stations
In India
Kotagiri
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 escarpments, 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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