Saturday, December 28, 2013

Ooty - Places of Interest - III

Water Falls in & around Ooty
Catherine Falls
Catherine Falls is a double-cascaded waterfall located in Kotagiri, The Nilgiris District, Tamil nadu and it is also a major tourist spot in Kotagiri. It is on the Mettupalayam road branching off at Aravenu. The upper fall drops to the floor, and is the second highest in the mountains. The waters from the upper stream of the Kallar River are crossed by the invisible Mettupalayam-Ooty road beyond the mountains in the south-west. The height of waterfalls is about 250 ft. Catherine Falls is named after the wife of M.D. Cockburn, believed to have introduced the coffee plantation to Kotagiri. The native name of the Catherine Falls is Geddhehaada Halla, meaning "Foothills Dale River". It can clearly been seen from the top of Dolphin's Nose if seeing the entire waterfall as one total impression is what you are looking for. It is also possible to take a road to the top of the falls. If you need to stay overnight, cottages are available very close to Catherine Falls at Catherine Greens.

Catherine Falls, also known as St. Catherine's Falls, is located in the area that surrounds Coonoor. This beautiful waterfall falls from an impressive 250 feet. It can clearly been seen from the top of Dolphin's Nose if seeing the entire waterfall as one total impression is what you are looking for. It is also possible to take a road to the top of the falls. This vantage point allows you to truly appreciate the awesome power that Mother Nature has contained within a waterfall as you look down the 250 feet to the pool of water and its surrounding landscape below. To reach the top of the hills tourist should take a diversion at Aravenu on Kotagiri - Mettupalayam road.
The St. Catherine Falls near Aravenu is considered to be a two step waterfall which comes down from a height of 76 metres. This water fall has both lower and upper falls. The upper fall is the second highest in the region and is known to take a leap of about 250 feet.
Apart from the St. Catherine Water Falls, tourists can visit the nearby Uyilatty Falls or Elk Falls, which is around 8 km from Kotagiri. Moreover, Kotagiri is home to the Rangaswamy Peak, which is around 1785 metres high. This biconical peak is a sacred hill among the residents of Nilgiri. It is believed that Lord Rangaswamy, who lived in Karamadai in Coimbatore, came here after a quarrel with his wife.
Katary Falls
Katary Falls is approximately 10 km from Coonoor in the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil NaduIndia. At 180 feet in height, Katary Falls is third largest waterfall in the Nilgiris.
The falls are the site of India's first hydel power plant, the Kateri hydroelectric system. Katary Falls gathers its fame as the third largest waterfall in the Nilgiris. It is also the site of India’s first hydroelectric power project, otherwise known as the Katary Hydroelectric system. Katary Falls is 180 meters in height and is located 10 kilometers from the centre of Coonoor at Kundha road. Katary Falls is in 10 km from Coonoor on the way to Upper Bhavani, Kundha & Manjore.
The hydroelectric power plant generated 1000 KW of electricity from the mechanical energy of the falling water from the Katary Falls.
The hydro electric power station is an attraction on its own and attracts hundreds of visitors. Katary Falls, along with Law’s Falls, is located quite close to Coonoor. The waterfall is a sight to behold during the rainy season, with water flowing rampantly from the top of the mountain. The height of the location and the scenic beauty of the surroundings make Katary Falls look like a never ending cascade from the sky to the earth.
Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls are about 13 km from Ooty, on the Ooty to Mysore Road or Sigur Ghat Road. From the Kalhatti village one has to continue for 2 miles to reach the falls and the falls is connected in the same Kalhatti village road.
One of the most loved tourist spots at Ooty; Kalhatti Falls make for a breathtaking side. It gets all the more roaring in monsoons, as the waters come thundering down in massive quantities that might make your heart skip a beat or two. A perfect place for the lovers of photography, the falls brim with tourists all day along. 

Apart from the natural beauty, another thing that draws people to the falls is the exotic flora and fauna. The region around the falls houses exotic species and is nothing less than a wonderland for the lovers of wild. Moreover, you can also pack in your trekking gear for the entire region offers quite a lot to the adventure lovers, who wouldn't mind going for an exploration or two. 
Kalhatti Water Falls boasts a height of 40 metres and is considered to be an ideal destination for trekking. The water fall is located at around 2,000 metres above the sea level and the entire route runs through the Kalhatti Ghats.

Situated on the slopes of Kalhatti Mountains, the water fall also has varied rivulets and other water bodies attached to it. The best time to visit this attraction is during the months of September through November.
One can also find animals like Panthers, Spotted Dear and Bison, who come here to drink water from the falls in the early hours of day and night.
This is one of the best picnic spot in Ooty for persons interested in Hiking, Bird watching and Trekking. To reach this falls there are buses available up to Kalhatti village on the 6th mile of Sigur Ghat road and has to go by foot for the next 2 miles .The falls is also connected by a road.

About 25 acres of coffee and 50 acres of teas are under plantation and the complete production is process in a natural fertilizer and free from chemical pesticides. And other spices are grown in Kalahatty, like clove, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary, sandalwood, rosewood etc.
Best time to visit this Kalahatty waterfall in the season of September and November. The Kalhatti falls is located about 13 kms from Ooty on the Sigur Ghat road. This is the road that connects Ooty with Masinagudi and has the famous 36 hair pin bends. The popular hill town of Bellikkal is also situated close by. 

One can park their vehicles at any shoulder on this winding highway and hike for a short distance to reach the view point. This view point, which is a large open space, also doubles up as a popular picnic spot. 
Elk Falls
Elk Falls is located on the route to Mettupalayam in the Nilgiri District and is 7 Kms from Kotagiri. The best time to pay a visit to the waterfall is in the monsoon season when the oranges have bloomed by the Kookal Valley. A European residence, placed near the waterfall, holds its own importance and was made at the time of British rule.

Elk Falls is situated at a distance of 7 km from Kotagiri, and is placed under Uyilatty village. The road crosses the houses of Badaga quiet landscape. On the way to the village is the first Kannerimukku European residence in the Nilgiris Collector constructed by Sullivan in the year of 1819.

On Elk falls the water is filled only in the monsoon period, but it is value to visit at all times. The vision from at this point is great and you can see by a beautiful valley called "Kookal" known for its oranges. Or else it is a wonderful place and just to hear the sound of water, and then a click large number of photographs.
Moyar River
Moyar River is one of the tributary of Bhavani Tamil Nadu, South India. The Moyar River originates from a small town called Moyar along the Masinagudi - Ooty road. This is a natural line of separation between Bandipur and the Mudumalai sanctuary to the south. Moyar River Gorge is 20 km long and also called as the Moyar Canyon. River flows into gorge below Theppakadu in a roaring water fall; this is popularly known as Moyar falls. This river is checked by dam Bhavanisagar Dam at the valley near Satyamangalam along with Bhavani River.




Law's Falls
The Law's falls which is named after Col. Law, who traced and mainly constructed the new Coonoor ghat, is a pretty cascade on the Coonoor River near its junction with the Mettupalayam ghat road. A little lower down the torrent is crossed by the ghat road over it. The falls is about 5 kilometres below Coonoor at the junction of Coonoor and Kateri rivers on the Coonoor, Mettupalayam road.

It is located 7kms from Coonoor, set inside the Coonoor forest range with vast stretches of undisturbed sholas, the Laws falls is a paradise for naturalists. The water fall is very wild and rocky.

Even though it is a relatively small waterfall, it attracts a lot of visitors. This is because it is one of the prettiest locations anywhere in the area. The surrounding landscape is extremely rocky and wild. Such a setting is a huge draw for naturalists. In fact, this location is almost heaven to such enthusiasts.
Pykara Falls
It is located 19 km from Ooty & about 6 km from the bridge on the main road, are best in July, but they are also worth visiting from August to December. There is a forest rest House at Pykara. A boat house by the Pykara falls and Dam is added attractions to the tourists. Pykara boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boat house with Restaurant is available. It is maintained by T.T.D.C.

Pykara is the name of a village and river located 19 km from Ooty in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The Pykara River is considered very sacred by the Todas. It rises at Mukurthi peak, flows northwards, and then turns to the west after reaching the edge of the plateau. The river flows through Mukurthi, Pykara and Glen Morgan dams, and forms part of an important hydro-electric power project.

The river flows over a series of waterfalls, the last two of 55 meters and 61 meters being known as Pykara falls. The falls are approximately 6 km from the bridge on the main road. There is a forest rest house at Pykara. A boat house on the Pykara reservoir is an added attraction for tourists.



For more information for Pykara Dam & Pykara Boat House, Please Check my post - Lakes in & around Ooty i.e Ooty – Places of Interest – I

Lot of movies has been shot at this location because of its pristine beauty. Must watch place in Ooty