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Introduction 
Popularly referred as the 'Queen of
Hill Stations', Udhagamandalam better known as Ooty is the most
popular hill station in the South. Ooty is the only hill station in
india which attracts visitors during all seasons. It has built up a
fame as the `all-seasons -hill resort' and the `queen of hill
stations'. Apart from coffee andtea plantations, trees like
conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in
Udhagamandalam and its environs. Curiously enough, this slice of
paradise remained unknown to the great southern dynasties and it
took the British to discover it in the early 1800s.
History
Settlement in Udhagamandalam began in 1822 with the construction of the Stone
House by John Sullivan, the Collector of Coimbatore. The British Collector John
Sullivan discovered this place and had developed it to a summer resort for the
people of South India. This place was being ruled by Vishnu Vardhana, the
Hoysala king, from AD 1104 to 1141. The local tribe called Todas were one of the
earliest inhabitants of Ooty. This hilly region came under the rule of the
British East India Company when they signed a treaty with Tipu Sultan at
Srirangapatnam in the year 1799. A government house was built and a typical
British lifestyle developed with the setting up of cottages and clubs, with
facilities for tennis, golf, and horse riding.
Festival
The festivals which are celebrated in
Ooty are:- Tea and Tourism Festival :- Tea and
Tourism Festival celebrated in the month of January is a festival
worth a visit. This festival draws the attention of a good number of
tourists every year. Varieties of tea are on display. Also available
for tasting. Cultural extravaganzas, Cuisines of the South and the
pleasant climate adds more flavour.
Summer Festival :- A
summer festival is held each year during the month of May in the
Botanical Gardens, which is an added attraction for tourists.
Cultural programmes are organised for those interested in
traditional classical arts. Adventure spots like trekking also form
part of the festival. A flower show is also organised here.
Best Season
Ooty enjoys a pleasant climate
throughout the year. The ideal time to visit Ooty is from February
to May and September to November. Cotton
clothing is appropriate for the summer months whereas woolens are
required for the winters.
Travel Links of Ooty 
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