At 7,347 feet above sea level, is one of India’s most popular hill stations, one know for its misty hills, lush green valleys, dazzling waterfalls and gardens that are simply out of this world! A destination that draws tourists from far and wide for its breathtaking scenic beauty! Making the picture perfect destination of Ooty, even more special in summers are the interesting summer festivals being organized each year during the second and third week of May!
This year too, the ‘Queen of the hills’ has its share of programs ready to greet its visitors! Sounds exciting? Here’s what one can expect from the picture perfect Ooty or Ootacamund.
Giving the ‘queen of flowers’ first preference, the Rose Show kick starts the excitement at the Centenary Rose Garden situated in the heart of Ooty. Beautifully laid out, this garden boasts of nearly around 3000 varieties of roses and is a garden with the largest collection of roses in the country! From rose tunnels, Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda to pergolas and bowers with rose creepers, even roses of unusual colours like black and green, this garden is magical in every way and is a perfect way to start off the festival.
Dedicating three days to the spectacular Govt. Botanical Garden, tourists can enjoy the Annual flower carnival held here from the 20th -22nd May. Covering an area of about 22 hectares these picturesque gardens laid out in 1847 are maintained by the Horticulture Department of the State. Amongst some rare orchids and ferns, and vast collection of flowering plants, shrubs and trees, this garden is also home to over 650 species of plants and trees, and a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old.
About 30 km. east of Ooty, the Vegetable Show scheduled to be held on the 14th and 15th May is in one of the oldest and the largest of the hill stations, Kotagiri, famous for the Catherine Falls that is barely 8 kilometers from it.
Spicing up the show is the ‘Spice Show’ held in the town of Gudalur, some 52 km away from Ooty on the 23rd May. The Sims Park another magnificent park located near Coonoor, is a must for its Annual Fruit Show, being held here on the 28th and 29th May. Designed on similar lines of the Botanical Gardens, however on a smaller scale, this park is one of the main attractions of Coonoor.
While boating at Pykara Lake and Ooty Lake is always an awesome experience, livening up the Ooty Lake even further is the Boat Race & Boat Pageant being held on the 17thand 18th May. A favorite with children, the Ooty Lake is known for its park, miniature toy train, and Deer Park barely 1 km from the Ooty Lake where one can find a wide variety of animals, including hare, chital and sambar.
Since no festival can be complete without its share of dance, drama, and musical events, here too such events are constantly being held between 8th and 16th May at the Breeks Open Air Stadium. Also available from 14th to 23rd May is the Photo Exhibition at the Horticulture Complex, Ooty.
But a trip to Ooty is incomplete without visiting its breathtaking view points, such as the Echo Rock, Hidden Valey and Shooting Point. A special mention must be made of the Doddabetta peak, the highest point in the district, thus possibly the best vantage point around Ooty. Another viewpoint known for spectacular scenery and thick forests is Glen Morgen, 17 km from Ooty. Not only do these places provide some excellent views but also exciting trekking trails.
Other attractions here include an artificial embroidery garden, where one can find over replicas 
of 150 species of worldwide plants, made of hand-wound thread using a technique perfected by Anthony Joseph, an artist from Kerala along with 50 craftsmen.
One can also try the mini wax museum found with its twenty life-size look-alike wax statues of famous people such as Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Mother Teresa and many more.
Consecrated on the 5th November, 1830, the St Stephens Church, one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiri ranges, is another must try for its stained-glass painting adorning the eastern side as well as the area behind the chancel, and a large painting of the Last Supper, above the paneled doorways of the western wall.
Another must-do whilst vacationing here is the toy train ride, a major tourist attraction. Moving through Ooty’s sprawling tea gardens and valleys filled with pine trees, it provides some breathtaking views.
Want to know more about the lives of the tribal people staying here? Try the Government Museum, another hot spot located on the Mysore Road for its various artifacts and tribal objects.
While the Tea factory is not only a great place to pick up flavored teas, it is also a great learning experience. Here one is shown around and the entire process from the picking of leaves to packing of tea leaves is explained.
Besides the fine teas, other items that are a must in your shopping list include honey, eucalyptus oil, other natural oils, homemade chocolates, Gourmet cheese and Toda jewellery.
Easily assessable by road/ rail or air, while the nearest airport is in Coimbatore, at a distance of about 88 km, Ooty has a railway station of its own, located 2 km from the main city center. And Tamil Nadu’s well-maintained / well-connected roads/ highways make sure travel by road is smooth and easy.
A trekker’s paradise and a nature lover’s dream come true! A beautiful place brightened up further with an interesting its summer festival!
