Ooty is a hill station located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu which is situated in the southern part of the country. Ooty is one of the most popular hill stations in the country located in the Western Ghats. It is a part of the Nilgiri Hills which are famous for their picturesque landscapes. The neelakurinji flower is something that this place is particularly famous for. These flowers blossom once in twelve years turning the entire valley into a blue shaded paradise when it does. Ooty was the Summer Capital of the country during the reign of the British Empire. Tea is widely cultivated in Ooty with tea plantations spread miles and miles across the entire valley. Tea produced here is also exported to other parts of the world. Agriculture and tea, in fact, bring most of the earnings of the region. There are a number of tourist destinations in this beautiful place. Examples are:-
Government Rose Garden
This garden was previously known as Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, Nootrandu Roja Poonga and Centenary Rose Park. It is the largest rose garden in the country. Also, the garden is placed on the slopes of the Elk Hill in a place called Vijayanagaram in the town of Ooty in Tamil Nadu. This region is located at a height of 2200 meters above sea level. This garden at present has a collection of almost 20000 varieties of roses from 2800 cultivators.
Hybrid Tea Roses, Miniature Roses, Papagena, Polyanthas, Floribunda, Ramblers, Yakimour and roses of unusual colors like black and green are part of the collection.
Ooty Botanical Garden
Ooty Botanical Garden is spread over 22 acres of land and was designed in the year 1847. It is maintained by the Government of the state of Tamil Nadu. Every year in the month of May a flower exhibition happens here which includes an exhibition of plant species that are rare. The garden is a lush green and well-maintained one. This beautiful garden has approximately a thousand species of plants; which includes indigenous and exotic species of shrubs, plants, trees, ferns and bonsai plants. Also, the garden is popular for keeping a 20-million-year-old tree which is fossilized.
Ooty Lake
Ooty lake is spread over an area of around 65 acres. There is a Boathouse that was established alongside a lake and it offers boating facilities to tourists. Ooty Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ooty. It was built in the year 1824 by the first collector of Ooty, John Sullivan. In the month of May, boat races and boat pageantries are at the lake organized for two days. Eucalyptus trees lie on either side of the Ooty Lake.
