Kotagiri - Best places to visit
Kotagiri is a beautiful Hills Station located in the Nilgiris Hills. About 33 km southeast of Ooty. It is a Town Panchayat city in The Nilgiris District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kotagiri is situated at an elevation of around 1,793 m (5,883 ft) above sea level.
The Kothas, are the natival tribal group of people who live in seven settlements, generally known as Kotagiri or Kokkal. They are village artisans, who are good in carpentry, black smithy and pottery.
Only a few families are engaged in these skills as a means of living today. Most others are engaged in cultivation. Today, many of them are working in the Government and many run their own profitable private factories.
St. Catherine's Falls
Also known as St. Catherine's Falls, it is situated near Aravenu, about 12 km from Kotagiri. It is the second highest (about 250 ft) in the Nilgiri mountains formed by the drop of the upper stream of the Kallar river.
It is named after Catherine, the wife of M.D.Cockburn, a pioneer coffee planter of Kotagiri and Yercaud. This couple was among some of the first Europeans to settle in this area. They lie buried side by side in the cemetery there.
Water falls from 250 feet high and is located amidst a thick forest. The view of tea gardens reaching as far as Kallar Nellithorai basin make it quite worth a drive.You can also see the Dolphin's Nose in Coonoor on the hills lining this valley.
Kodanad View Point
The most popular attraction in this area and located at a height of about 6500 feet, Kodanad view point is situated 18 km east of Kotagiri inside the Kodanad Tea Estates.A 40 minutes drive through tea estates also passes Tamil Nadu Ex-CM s bungalow and estate.
It offers wonderful view of the mountains, and views of lush paddy fields of the Thengumarada village. The Moyar gorge located between the Deccan plateau and the Nilgiri plateau, joins the river Bhavani across the valley. The watch tower here offers the highest view of the valley and the Rangaswamy pillar rocks.
Sullivan Memorial Building / Pethakal Bunglow
The bungalow was renovated in 2006 and is located at Kannerimukku village near Kotagiri and open to visit 365 days a year.This red bungalow, also known as the Pethakal Bungalow that was built during John Sullivan - the British administrator whose is said to have discovered the virgin Nilgiris and its first route for the settlement of the British here during the colonial era.
In 2009 as it marks the 190th year of ‘Pethakal Bungalow’ (now Sullivan Memorial) - the first European Settlement in the Nilgiris, and a commemorative trek through his trail was undertaken.
Rangasamy Peak / Pillar
Rangaswamy peak and the pillar lies twenty kilometers from Kotagiri town. Sacred to the Irulas (a tribe), the height of the peak is 5855 feet and can be seen clearly from the plains. It is located around 20km from Kotagiri. It is said that one Mr Ragaswami had his estate below this Pillar hence the name. In 1950 a Chennai to Trivandrum bound Air-India flight deviated from its due landing course of Coimbatore and crashed on this pillar, killing all passengers and crew on board.
Legend says that God Rangaswamy who lived in Karamadai, quarreled with his wife and came to live here alone. There are two shrines there which are dedicated to God Rangaswamy. At the Arakadu Village below the peak are two footprints on the rock- thought to be proof of the legend. It is situated at a height of 1794 metres above sea level.
ELK FALLS
Elk falls which is also named as Uyilathi water falls is located 7 km away from kotagiri. A European house or Kannerimukku, which as been constructed by a British collector of the state Sullivan in the year 1819.
The neighboring Kookal Valley is famed for its vegetation that targets local market and export markets for fruits, greens, vegetables, mushrooms and decorative flowers.
NEHRU PARK
Nehru park is a major tourist spot in which its located 1 kilometres away from Kotagiri bus stand. The annual seasons'show of the Nilgiris (aka the Annual Summer Festival) commences from a Vegetable Show organised here by the Department of Horticulture since 2008.
PANDIAN PARK
Private Park situated at Ooty - Kotagiri Highway is a tourist attractive spot in which its located 3 kilometers away from Kotagiri bus stand.
It is maintained by a private organization and it has been named in the memory of Pandia Raj. With a special request one can also view Mushroom farming area located just before the entrance of this park.
LONGWOOD SHOLA (Reserved Forest Area)
Originally known as Dodda Shola with an area of 116 hectares, it is the only major pocket of natural Shola Forest left in the immediate vicinity of Kotagiri. This Shola is an integral part of the very fragile Nilgiri Eco-System and a trek through this serene Shola equires formal permission from the Forest Office in Kotagiri. This shola houses over 80 varieties of birds including species endemic to the region in addition to . the famous Indian giant squirrel, bonnet macaque, barking deer, Nilgiri Marten, Indian gaur (bison) etc.
Garikayoor (Karikkiyur) - Rock Art Site Trek
A trail that involves an hour's drive through tough roads and trek through tea-estates, reserved forests and Irula tribals' settlements. The village enroute offers panoramic views of the Bhavani reservoir occasionally. You can encounter wild animals such as the elephants, deer and Indian Gaur (aka Bison) during your trek and you need formal permission from the Forest Office in Kotagiri before commencing the treks.
Vellaricombai- Rock Art Site Trek
This trek also requires formal permission from the Forest Office in Kotagiri. The trek is tobe escorted by forest guide and tribal members to reach the rock art site located in the Northern-eastern slopes of the Nilgiris.
Other places / treks of Interest
The Kothas, are the natival tribal group of people who live in seven settlements, generally known as Kotagiri or Kokkal. They are village artisans, who are good in carpentry, black smithy and pottery.
Only a few families are engaged in these skills as a means of living today. Most others are engaged in cultivation. Today, many of them are working in the Government and many run their own profitable private factories.
St. Catherine's Falls
Also known as St. Catherine's Falls, it is situated near Aravenu, about 12 km from Kotagiri. It is the second highest (about 250 ft) in the Nilgiri mountains formed by the drop of the upper stream of the Kallar river.
It is named after Catherine, the wife of M.D.Cockburn, a pioneer coffee planter of Kotagiri and Yercaud. This couple was among some of the first Europeans to settle in this area. They lie buried side by side in the cemetery there.
Water falls from 250 feet high and is located amidst a thick forest. The view of tea gardens reaching as far as Kallar Nellithorai basin make it quite worth a drive.You can also see the Dolphin's Nose in Coonoor on the hills lining this valley.Kodanad View Point
The most popular attraction in this area and located at a height of about 6500 feet, Kodanad view point is situated 18 km east of Kotagiri inside the Kodanad Tea Estates.A 40 minutes drive through tea estates also passes Tamil Nadu Ex-CM s bungalow and estate.
Sullivan Memorial Building / Pethakal Bunglow
The bungalow was renovated in 2006 and is located at Kannerimukku village near Kotagiri and open to visit 365 days a year.This red bungalow, also known as the Pethakal Bungalow that was built during John Sullivan - the British administrator whose is said to have discovered the virgin Nilgiris and its first route for the settlement of the British here during the colonial era.
In 2009 as it marks the 190th year of ‘Pethakal Bungalow’ (now Sullivan Memorial) - the first European Settlement in the Nilgiris, and a commemorative trek through his trail was undertaken.
Rangasamy Peak / Pillar
Rangaswamy peak and the pillar lies twenty kilometers from Kotagiri town. Sacred to the Irulas (a tribe), the height of the peak is 5855 feet and can be seen clearly from the plains. It is located around 20km from Kotagiri. It is said that one Mr Ragaswami had his estate below this Pillar hence the name. In 1950 a Chennai to Trivandrum bound Air-India flight deviated from its due landing course of Coimbatore and crashed on this pillar, killing all passengers and crew on board.
Legend says that God Rangaswamy who lived in Karamadai, quarreled with his wife and came to live here alone. There are two shrines there which are dedicated to God Rangaswamy. At the Arakadu Village below the peak are two footprints on the rock- thought to be proof of the legend. It is situated at a height of 1794 metres above sea level.
ELK FALLS
Elk falls which is also named as Uyilathi water falls is located 7 km away from kotagiri. A European house or Kannerimukku, which as been constructed by a British collector of the state Sullivan in the year 1819.
The neighboring Kookal Valley is famed for its vegetation that targets local market and export markets for fruits, greens, vegetables, mushrooms and decorative flowers.
Nehru park is a major tourist spot in which its located 1 kilometres away from Kotagiri bus stand. The annual seasons'show of the Nilgiris (aka the Annual Summer Festival) commences from a Vegetable Show organised here by the Department of Horticulture since 2008.
PANDIAN PARK
Private Park situated at Ooty - Kotagiri Highway is a tourist attractive spot in which its located 3 kilometers away from Kotagiri bus stand.
It is maintained by a private organization and it has been named in the memory of Pandia Raj. With a special request one can also view Mushroom farming area located just before the entrance of this park.
LONGWOOD SHOLA (Reserved Forest Area)
Originally known as Dodda Shola with an area of 116 hectares, it is the only major pocket of natural Shola Forest left in the immediate vicinity of Kotagiri. This Shola is an integral part of the very fragile Nilgiri Eco-System and a trek through this serene Shola equires formal permission from the Forest Office in Kotagiri. This shola houses over 80 varieties of birds including species endemic to the region in addition to . the famous Indian giant squirrel, bonnet macaque, barking deer, Nilgiri Marten, Indian gaur (bison) etc. 
A trail that involves an hour's drive through tough roads and trek through tea-estates, reserved forests and Irula tribals' settlements. The village enroute offers panoramic views of the Bhavani reservoir occasionally. You can encounter wild animals such as the elephants, deer and Indian Gaur (aka Bison) during your trek and you need formal permission from the Forest Office in Kotagiri before commencing the treks.
Vellaricombai- Rock Art Site Trek
This trek also requires formal permission from the Forest Office in Kotagiri. The trek is tobe escorted by forest guide and tribal members to reach the rock art site located in the Northern-eastern slopes of the Nilgiris.
Other places / treks of Interest
- Selaikall Amman Temple, Batalada with stone carving dating to Mysore rulers period inside temple premises
- Hethai Amman Temple - Kairbetta and Beragani
- Trek inside the Longwood Shola
- Koduthen Mund Trail
- Banglapadigai Trail
Thanks for sharing the useful blog about Tourist places located in and around Kotagiri.
ReplyDeleteChalet Mon Ami