Ooty, officially known as Udagamandalam, is a town and a municipality in the Niligiris District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 86 km north of Coimbatore and 128 km south of Mysore and is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district. It is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills. Local Residents call it Blue Hills.
Originally occupied by the Toda people, the area came under the rule of the East India Company at the end of the 18th century. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture, along with the manufacture of medicines and photographic film. The town is connected by the Nilgiri ghat roads and Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Its natural environment attracts tourists and it is a popular summer destination. In 2011, the town had a population of 88,430.
Ooty, in the Southern Indian State of Karnataka, is called the "Queen of hill stations" and is the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.
The most scenic places to visit in Ooty include Avalanche Lake, Ooty Lake, Emerald Lake, Ooty Botanical Gardens, Deer Park, Doddabetta Peak, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Kamraj Sagar Dam, Ooty Rose Garden, etc. The Mudumalai National Park is a beautiful reserve which is home to wildlife in their natural habitats. Even more interesting is Ooty’s tribal legacy. The town was the land of the Toda tribal community. Here, the Toda huts present a glimpse of the tribal lifestyle. The taste of home- made chocolates is one of the best things to do in Ooty. Enjoy boating at the lakes. Watch the scenic sunsets from the viewpoints. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival is an impressive event to enjoy the bliss of the town.