Thursday, December 26, 2013

Ooty - Places of Interest - I

Lakes in & Around Ooty
Ooty Lake
Introduction
Ooty Lake is located in Ooty in the Nilgiris districtTamil NaduIndia. It covers an area of 65 acres. The Boat house situated by the lake, which offers boating facilities to tourists, is a major tourist attraction in Ooty.


 

The Lake in Ooty is the center of tourist attraction. The lake adds an extra measure of glamour to the hill station. It covers an area of 65 acres and was constructed by John Sullivan in 1824. The Boat house alongside the lake offers boating facilities to tourists. In summers, boat races and pageantry are organized at the lake.


The Ooty Lake is the pride of the Blue Hills. It is Central and strategic attraction. Earlier the entire lake was used for fishing as a major activity. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation on behalf of the Tourism Department took the possession of the lake for pleasure boating facilities in the year 1973. Another added attraction of the Ooty Lake is the Mini Train.
History
Ooty Lake is an artificial lake constructed by John Sullivan, in 1824. The water flowing down mountain streams in the Ooty valley was dammed to form the lake. The lake became empty on three occasions when it breached its bund. The lake was originally intended to be used for fishing with ferries being used to travel across the lake. It gradually shrunk from its original size giving place to the current bus stand race course, and the lake park. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation on behalf of the Tourism Department took the possession of the lake in 1973, for providing boating facilities as a tourist attraction.
Features
The lake is surrounded by groves of Eucalyptus trees with a railway line running along one shore. During the summer season in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organised for two days.

Boat house
The boat house, which adjoins the lake, was opened by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). Boating is the prime attraction at the lake. The boat house offers boating facilities with Paddle boatsRow boats, and Motor boats. It also features a garden a mini train and an amusement park. The other notable features include a canteen run by the TTDC and pony rides in front of the boat house.


Activities
In recent years the lake and the boat house have become the hub of entertainment for the visitors. At the boat house end there is children's park with a toy train. In the adjacent site there is a deer park. A mini-garden is at the bus stand end and a well laid footpath circles the entire lake. Just outside the Boat house local ponies are available for jolly rides at a charge.


From just behind the Main Bus Stand (also near the Railway station) the famous Ooty Lake stretches, in an irregular 'L' shape, for about two kilometers in length and varying distances in width. At the far end is the Boat House where all kinds of boats are available for hire from eight in the morning to six in the evening.
Setbacks
The lake has had continuous problems with rapidly proliferating weeds (water hyacinth). The officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) have been continually working to clean the lake of the weeds.  According to a study conducted by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Ooty Lake is the most polluted water body in the state and its water is not fit for potable purposes.


Entry Charges:
Boat House: (Prices are subject to changes)
Ø    Entrance fee: Re.1.
Ø    Parking Fee: Rs5 for bus, Rs 3 for Car and Rs. 2 for two wheeler.
Ø    Camera Fee: Rs3.
Ø    Video Camera: Rs10.
Ø    Video Game: Rs 2 per Coin
Boating: (Prices are subject to changes)
Boats
Duration
Season
2 Seat Pedal
30Mts
Rs30.00
4 Seat Pedal
30Mts
Rs40.00
2 Seater Row
30Mts
Rs30.00
4 Seater Row
30Mts
Rs30.00
6 Seater Row
30Mts
Rs40.00
8 Seater Motor
20Mts
Rs80.00
15 Seater Motor
20Mts
Rs115.00
Mini Train: (Prices are subject to changes)
Ø    Rs 3 for adult and Rs 2 for Children Pony ride facilities are also available near boat house
Avalanche Lake, Ooty
Avalanche Lake (Avalanchi Lake) is located 28 kilometers from Ooty in the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu.

 Avalanche is just a 28 km drive from Ooty across sylvan surroundings. The scenic path meanders through the emerald camp and provides a magnificent view of the Avalanche valley and the dam. The sparkling water of Avalanche Lake is wedged between dense woodland of shola trees. Rhododendrons run a riot of colors in Avalanche, the magnolias bloom bright and the orchids are delightfully mysterious. 



The Avalanche valley is also famous for trout fishing. A nature lover's paradise, this trout fishing site also has arrangements for hiring fishing rods and other necessary equipments. While out in one of the most beautiful excursions from Ooty, you can opt to stay amidst this serene locale in the Destiny Farm stay.



Etymology
The lake derived the name avalanche because of a huge land slide (avalanche) that occurred in the region in the early 1800s.
Tourism
Avalanche Lake is an important tourism destination in the Nilgiris district. The lake is surrounded by a rolling landscape with blooming flowers like magnolias, orchids and rhododendrons. Tourists can traverse beside the lake through winding paths around the lake. Tourists visiting the lake can also engage themselves in Trout fishing. A trout hatchery is established near the lake, from where visitors can get fishing rods and other fishing accessories required for trout fishing. The lake is also used by tourists as a camp site wherein they pitch tents near the lake. Other tourist activities in the area include rafting across the lake and trekking the nearby hilly regions like Upper Bhavani where there are thick forests and untouched wild habitats.
Accommodation
Forest Department Guest House
There is only the Forest Department guest house at Avalanche which you will need to book from the DFO office at Ooty. You will also need permission to visit Avalanche; you can go up to the Forest check post but not beyond without a permit.
Contact Details
Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association 
C/o DFO (North)
Mount Stewart Hill,
Ootacamund, 643 001
Ph. (0423) 2447167
Wildlife Warden, Ooty:         Ph. (0423) 2444098
District Forest Officer (North):   Ph. (0423) 2441950
District Forest Officer (South):   Ph. (0423) 2444083
Destiny Farm Stay
Destiny Farm Stay is an eco resort next to Ooty situated right beside the Avalanche Lake and is spread over almost an entire hill. Those who are looking for environmentally friendly accommodation in Ooty, this is the ultimate place to look for. The unique concept, the picturesque landscape, the luxurious rooms, the great food and service makes Destiny an ideal weekend getaway.
Connectivity to Destiny Farm Stay
From Ooty Bus stand, take the fern hill road. About 17km on this road, you will get emerald towm. From there, take the avalanche road which is about 6 km. End of this road will take you to a rocky and mud road and traveling about 300 meters, you will reach the parking lot of Destiny. From here, the last lap of 2 km is a two wheel drive which is taken care by the resort itself.
Address
Destiny Farmstay Avalanche,
Nilgiris,
Tamilnadu.
India
Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Contact Details
Nirvana India Enterprise, 
304, 3rd Floor,
Kane Plaza,
Mind Space, Opp. 
Magnus Tower, Off New Link Road, 
Malad (W), Mumbai-400064, India, 
Ph: 022 - 6516 5500 / 6517 6600 / 40048061
Ph: +91 8452040404
Emerald Lake, Ooty
Emerald Lake is located near Emerald village in the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. It is located in a region called the silent valley, about 25 kilometers from the Ooty town.

Emerald lake is a wonderful lake in the upper plateau region of the Nilgiri hills. It is a part of the silent valley and is beside the Red hill nature resort which is a best picnic place of the region. 


The site of the lake is wonderful and one would definitely love being at that place. One would hold one's breathe by looking at the wonderful sites of the nature and fun is to the fullest. The chirping birds and ducks and other swimming creatures add beauty to the place and the sun set and sun rise is also spectacular here. There is tea plantation in the suburbs and one can enjoy different flavors of tea, fresh and fine.
Nestled in the Nilgiris, Emerald Lake is a sight to behold. Equally visited for the flora and fauna around it, Emerald Lake is a favourite spot for picnics. Tourists from Ooty often throng to the lake to soak in the natural beauty that's splattered all around. A perfect place for the lovers of solitude, it's situated in a region that's hailed as 'silent valley'. Surrounded by tea plantations and acres of Rolling Meadows, Emerald Lake is a great place for the lovers of photography. 


You might also come across Ornithologists here, for the lake and the adjoining area teems with exotic species of birds. Needless to say, the lake also boasts of a humongous variety of fish. You can also go bird watching, trekking, biking or a simple stroll by the lake. 
Emerald is a small village in Silent Valley of Ooty, which is about 23 kms from Ooty on the way to Avalanche (another tourist destination). It is a beautiful picnic spot one should never miss. Ooty itself is a renowned hill station and is known as the Queen of Hill stations. Emerald Lake does perfect justice to the repute of Ooty as the preferred hill station. The area in and around Emerald Lake is lush green with a variety of flora and fauna.

Tourism
The lake is an important tourist and picnic spot in the region. The lake is famous for its different varieties of fishes in the lake and birds in the locale. It is also notable for the scenic sun rise and sun set views near the lake. The lake is surrounded by tea plantations where visitors can buy tea products.
Ø  Emerald Lake is rich in something or the other to attract the tourists and nature lovers. The Lake is an important picnic spot for the tourists. The lake is home to a variety of fishes popping up in groups all over the lake. Tourists who like to feed the fishes derive immense pleasure in seeing the fishing devouring their feeds. Children will definitely enjoy watching the different kinds of fishes.
Ø  Emerald Lake is also a haven for a variety of birds. It is a mini paradise for bird lovers and ornithologists as they get to see and study a number of native birds. It’s a delight to watch the colorful birds flock around and giving you a mesmerizing feeling.
Ø  Sun rise and sun set is an important event that should never be missed. It is a pleasing experience to see the Dawn and the Dusk of the day right in front of you at Emerald Lake.
Ø  The Tea gardens is a great spot to spend some time as it gives you an experience which you cannot experience in a city life or in the plains. You can also buy Tea products right from the factory or from a nearby outlet.
Ø  Trekking is another activity you can indulge in if you love adventure.
Ø  Red Hill Nature Resort is another destination where you can get a lot to experience like mountain biking, bird watching, fishing and trekking.
Ø  Emerald Lake also has a small dam that caters to the area around Emerald Lake.
Climate
In the summer from March to May the temperature will be between 25°C and 10°C and in winter the temperature maintains between 21°C and 5°C. Rains hit the Ooty hills between June and September. The best time to visit Emerald Lake is any time during the year but ideally it is more fun during April to June and September to November.
Accommodation
The Red Hill Nature Resort
The Red Hill Nature Resort is an accommodation facility for visitors adjoining the lake. The facility is housed in a building constructed in the late 1800s. The resort is surrounded by tea plantations. The various facilities arranged by the resort for tourists include mountain biking, bird watching, fishing and trekking in the regions surrounding the lake.

Contact Details:
Emerald, Nilgiris, Ooty,
Tamil Nadu 643209 ‎
Landline: +91 – 423 – 259 5753
Mobile: +91 – 94422 54755  
Kamaraj Sagar Dam
The Kamaraj Sagar Dam (also known as Sandynalla reservoir) is in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu state in India. It is located at a distance of 10 km from the Ooty bus stand. It is a picnic spot and a film shooting spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs.
Kamaraj Sagar Lake is actually a dam which is located in the outskirts of Ooty. The woods and the greenery in this place, makes it a great picnic spot. The water is extremely cold and one can also have a good fishing experience in the place as fishing industry has flourished quite a lot in this region. 

The Kamaraj Sagar dam is a good picnic spot and can be reached via Kandal amidst every old trees and green shrubs of various terrains and through Hindustan Photo films on the Gudalur road. It is a very good picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs. Apart from studying nature and the environment, fishing provides excellent game in Kamaraj Sagar as well as in the Upper Bhavani and in Avalanche, the waters of which are especially rich in trout.

The various tourist activities the dam include fishing and studying nature and environment.
The Kamaraj Sagar Dam also spelled as Kamaraj Sagar Dam, has definitely added to the list of major tourist attractions in Ooty in the recent years. Also referred to as the Sandynalla Reservoir, the Kamaraj Sagar Dam offers an excellent venue for locals to spend picnic lunches with their kids thus transforming this Spot into one of the favourite picnic spots amongst tourists with a majority of them visiting to just enjoy the sights that this reservoir has to offer.

The Kamaraj Sagar Dam is situated near the town of Ooty in a small place named Kandal that features ancient towering trees thus offering a serene site for enjoying the nature or capturing those extraordinary moments in your cameras.
Placed at a distance of only 10 kms from the main Central Bus Stand of Ooty, the Kamaraj Sagar Dam is indeed a heavenly place with a vast expanse of scenic panorama to offer to all visitors thus making this not only a favourite picnic venue but apt for nature walks as well.
The Kamaraj Sagar Dam is situated a bit farther from the main town of Kandal and lies between the greenery and the woods hence making it apt for people to spend their weekends amidst a peaceful environment.


The Kamaraj Sagar Dam is surrounded with a wide variety of herbal plants and shrubs scattered around the terrain and hence apt for capturing the scenic beauty in movies that you may have noticed. Popular Blockbusters have showcased parts of open roads of this area including the slopes of the Wendlock Sagar or Kamaraj Sagar Dam in Ooty.
The water of the Kamaraj Sagar Dam or Wendlock Sagar is somewhat cold, however, though it may not be a good idea to swim, which is anyway prohibited, however, being a haven for angling and home to a variety of aquatic life especially the trout fish, one can enjoy a great time fishing at this Lake which is also one of the most flourishing businesses in Ooty with Fishing Industries earning well as the primary food available in Ooty is fish and rice therefore, you can enjoy a delectable meal of fried fish or fish curry after you fish out your catch.
There has been several speculations made by the Nilgiri Ecological and Animal Protection Samiti [NEAPS] members protesting against the water pollution of the Kamaraj Sagar Dam and the famous Pykara Lake as well due to chemical downpour from the nearby private companies operating in this region, however, the Government still seems unperturbed by this fact and the only hope is for the companies to realize the importance of maintaining the bio-diversity of nature and find other legal methods of disposing their debris.
Porthimund Lake
Porthimund Lake is 19 Kms away from Ooty & 5 Kms away from Porthimund Village. This is mostly in a reserved forest and is largely off-limits to visitors. Shooting of the blockbuster Tamil movie Roja was done here.




This is beyond Power House VI, reached by the road from Emerald to Red Hills Hotel. The lake has very low water at present due to a failed monsoon, but there are great views of the Nilgiri Peak. Water from Porthimund flows through a tunnel in the mountain, into the penstock of Power House VI emptying into Emerald Lake
Pykara Lake
Introduction
Located amid sylvan surroundings about 22 km from here, Pykara Lake has over the years become very popular among tourists. The water spread extending over several kilometres had been converted into a boating facility about 13 years ago to relieve congestion at Ooty Lake.
Pykara Lake, a popular getaway from Ooty, is a placid lake located between the lush green valleys of Ooty. Surrounded by dense forests, there is a forest rest house in the area. Additionally, Pykara is known for its boat house, which is near the Pykara falls and Dam. The boat house also includes a restaurant and a rest house, where tourists can relax.

Tourists can visit the clean and beautiful Pykara Lake, which is free from pollution and is not very crowded. Boating is a key attraction of this lake and tourists can enjoy it at a reasonable price.
Pykara Lake is just 22 km from Ooty on the Ooty-Mysore road and can be reached by different transportation modes, such as cars, taxis and buses.
The placid lake of Pykara, amid the lush green valleys is a lovely getaway from Ooty. Here, a calm lake is surrounded by forests. It is a clean and scenic lake in between the hills. It is an isolated lake free from pollution and maddening crowed.
Pykara Lake is located at a few kilometers away from city limits.  The reservoir has a boat house operated by the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation operates speed boats as well. Though not well known till few years back, the place is much crowded nowadays. Pykara has a power station declared as a heritage power plant and is a great example of engineering achievements in Tamilnadu.
The lake is best enjoyed during the months of summer and autumn.  The other nearby places that one can visit are Wenlock Downs (9th mile and 5th mile), Mukurthi peak, Lamb’s Rock.
Activities
The waterfalls are around 6 km from the bridge on the highway. A boat house by the Pykara falls and Dam is added to the attractiveness to the tourists. The Pykara Lake and Pykara falls are catch the attention of many tourists. The Pykara dam is placed near to the falls and includes the Pykara power station. One of the oldest plants in Tamilnadu, the Pykara power plant still working and producing about 60 megawatts.

There is a boathouse where different types of boats can be hired to explore the lake. The expanse of the lake is overwhelming and the boat ride is very pleasant with protected shola forest, red hilly mud banks, grassy meadows and small coves formed by the twisting of the water flow, which complements the sparkling lake. The fact that many wild animals come to the lake to quench their thirst is enough to keep you alert to be the first to spot an animal.

The Pykara Lake is most excellent visiting place in during the months of April, May and in December. It is one of the best tourism places in your summer holidays.

With the number of visitors steadily increasing, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), which runs a boat house at Pykara, has drawn up a plan to improve the facilities there. It has introduced two car boats recently.


Pointing out that these boats have become a major hit among the visitors, it could accommodate 10 persons each. Since they were all-weather boats a sum of Rs. 500 was being collected for a 20-minute ride. On an average about 2,000 tourists are visiting Pykara Lake every day.
Pykara Dam
The dam is situated close to the main Ooty-Gudalur road and includes a power station. One of the oldest power plants in south India, the Pykara station still functions, generating about 60 megawatts. The first unit of 6.65 MW was commissioned in October 1932. Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar, Diwan of Travancore, worked with the British regime in 1920s and 1930s in the setting up of the Pykara project. A team of engineers led by H.G.Howard, a chief engineer in the then Electricity department, was responsible for carrying out the project.
The Pykara Station, declared as a heritage plant in September 1997, triggered the establishment of more hydro-electric power stations in the state. Today, the Nilgiris district alone boasts hydro-electric stations with an aggregate installed capacity of 837 MW. Five decades after establishment of the old plant, the EB authorities came up with a plan for the PUSHEP, containing three units of 50 MW each. The construction of an underground powerhouse, 17 tunnels and the hydraulic head of 1039 metres are the special features of the new plant. According to the EB, the hydraulic head is the highest in Asia. The access point to the powerhouse is a 1.5-km-long tunnel.
Pykara Boathouse
A boat house on the Pykara Reservoir is an added attraction for tourists. The boat house with restaurant is maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism & Development Corporation. It consists of several boats and has motor boats which are allowed for 20 min. and speed boats which are allowed for 10 min.
To the north of Ooty, on the way to Mudumalai, lies Pykara. Leaving Ooty, the road goes through a beautifully forested stretch to reach here. Pykara Lake is located prettily amidst a shola forest and there is a snack bar run by Tamil Nadu Tourism. People come here and go boating in the large motorboats.



 The Pykara Lake is about 21 kms from Ooty on the Ooty-Mysore road.  Boating on the Pykara Lake is enjoyable.  A restaurant is also available.  Wenlock Downs, a vast Expanse of grassy meadow on way to Pykara, is a favorite picnic location and is very popular with the movie makers of this country.
Pykara water falls in between Mysore and Ooty highway, Need to walk a bit to see the water falls from the Pykara bus station. Around 1 km near Pykara boat house, not so frequent bus facility available, good if you have hired a cab or taxi.
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm daily
Restaurant: Available
Ticket Price for Boating:
Ø  6 Seaters Motor Boat: Rs 400(Time – 20 min)
Ø  8 Seater Motor Boat: Rs 500 (Time– 20min)
Ø  10 Seater Motor Boat: 600 (Time – 20 min)
Ø  3 Seaters Motor Boat: 550 (Time –10 min)
Ticket Price for Pykara Lake: Rs 5 for Entrance

Bellikkal Lake
Bellikkal Lake is a wonderful destination located 16 Kms away from Ooty. It’s the best place to spend some relaxing time with family. Located near Ooty, this is a must see destination for tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and honeymooners alike. 
Bellikkal Lake has some magnificent views to offer to the visitors. Bellikkal Lake is a preferred watering hole for a large variety of wild animals. As such, one can spot wild animals like elephants, tigers, bear, bison and deer here.
Bellikkal Lake is a birdwatchers paradise. A wide variety of birds like bulbuls, shrikes, doves, crow pheasants, drongos, and woodpeckers can be spotted here.
Honeymooners find the solitude offered by the Lake and its surrounding appealing. Apart from that, the adventure seekers can go on Mountain biking and trekking while on a visit here. 
Ayurvedic massage at the end of the day is a wonderful way to wind up the activities of the day. 
The other attractions located close by are Upper Bhavani Lake, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Pykara Lake, Sanctuary Avalanche, Shooting Point, Lady Canning's Seat, Arranmore Palace, Western Catchment, Needle Rock View Point and the Second World War Memorial Pillar. 
Bellikkal Lake can be easily accessed from Ooty. It is preferable to visit the place during summers.
Bellikkal Lake is a beautiful water feature that has some great views to offer. Fishing here may not be a good idea since this lake is a popular watering hole for a variety of wild animals. Elephants can be frequently seen getting a drink early in the morning or right at dusk here. Tigers, bear, bison, and deer are all possible animals that could be sighted as well. A wide variety of birds also like to frequent this lake. It is not uncommon to see such birds as bulbuls, shrikes, morning doves, crow pheasants, drongos, and wood peckers.
Marlimun Lake
With crystal clear waters and the backdrop of the pristine Nilgiri Hills, Marlimun Lake is a panoramic spot in Ooty. With a variety of different boats to enjoy a boat ride, you can choose from an open shikara type to a paddle boat. It is surrounded amidst virgin forest reserves so the only sounds that are heard are bird calls and the silence of the valley.

Marlimun Lake is located in Ooty and is a wonderful lake of the region. It has all the things which come in one’s mind when one thinks of lake. It is clean and neat and is a best place one would love to go for. Several different kinds of boats are made available in this region and one can go boating with the family. Boats are generally in the form of house boats or shikaras and even open boats are available to choose from. The lake is not much deep but it is sufficiently wide enough to have the fountains and water fall in the place which does increase the scenic beauty of the place.
This lake is in the Mukurthi National Park and largely off-limits to visitors. Upper Bhavani Lake is situated at a distance of 10 km from Korakundah and over 20 km from Avalanche. The route to Upper Bhavani is replete with sholas trees and the entire area is a wildlife habitat. Tourists can go for trekking from Bangithapal through Sispara to the Silent Valley. For trekking in this region, it is necessary to get permission from the forest department.
Upper Bhavani Lake is a very wonderful lake and has lots of water in it all year through. The lake is wonderful and has great natural beauty.

There is a huge dam on this lake, which is the major source of water for the nearby regions. This Upper Bhavani Dam is just 60 km from Ooty and is the ideal way to reach the Mukurthi National Park. There is a wildlife sanctuary at this place, which covers an area of 70 sq. km and is home to Nilgiri Tahr. This sanctuary also features sambhar, giant squirrels, leopards, tigers, jungle cats, wild dogs and jackals, among others.
The entire region of Upper Bhavani, which gets over 5000 mm of annual rainfall, is dominated by the sholas and wattle plantations. This place is the perfect location for hiking, trekking and walking holidays. With the reservoir in the backdrop, there are few guest houses in Upper Bhavani for overnight stays.
The lake is surrounded by lush green forests which are called as Upper Bhavani Sanctuary. The Upper Bhavani sanctuary is spread over an area of 70 square kilometers and is a safe haven to the few remaining Nilgiri Tahr. The resident wildlife of the Upper Bhavani sanctuary includes tigers, jackals, jungle cats, wild dogs, sambhar, giant squirrels, Nilgiri langurs, and leopards.
The northern and southern half of the Upper Bhavani sanctuary is joined by a strip of earth where the Upper Bhavani dams of the western catchment area lies. The sholas and wattle plantations dominate the region that gets around 5000 mm of rainfall annually. 

The Thai Shola is the largest shola in the Nilgiri range and is just a few kilometers from Upper Bhavani. The landscapes, a part of the Western Ghat montane ecosystem, have an abundance of perennial streams and small reservoirs. 
The region is easily accessible as one of the excursions from Ooty. Cocooned amidst greenery, it is perfect for hiking, trekking, walking holidays or for simple unwinding in the lap of nature. One can trek from Bangithapal to the silent valley through Sispara.

For overnight stays, there is a guest house in Upper Bhavani with the serene reservoir in the backdrop. An excellent picnic ground one can also try wildlife spotting. Upper Bhavani looks best when the reservoir is veiled by the early morning mists. The guest house is set amidst a mushy forest land and is perfect for the trippers from Ooty to Upper Bhavani. 


The place is popular for its beautiful, hills, valleys, gardens and lakes. Out of the lakes, the Upper Bhavani Lake and the sanctuary are extremely popular. It has a mesmerizing effect on the tourists who visit it.

The Upper Bhavani Lake is characterized by water throughout the year. There has been a dam constructed here named the Upper Bhavani Dam which provides water for irrigation and to nearby settlements. This dam has been responsible for most of the successful agricultural activities around the place. The Upper Bhavani sanctuary is spread over 70 sq km of land. The Nilgiri Tahr can be found here. The sanctuary also is home to such animals like includes tigers, jackals, jungle cats, wild dogs, Sambhar, giant squirrels, Nilgiri langurs, and leopards.


The Upper Bhavani is ideal for trekking, hiking and for walks. There is a guest house here, for those who wish to spend the night here. The upper Bhavani reservoir remains as the beautiful backdrop for this. The rest house lies amidst a mushy forest land. This place is an amazing treat to tourists and nature re lovers. It’s a must see place on a visit to Ooty and is an unforgettable travel experience.
Mukurthi Lake
Mukurthi Lake, this panoramic Lake located within the Mukurthi National park, which is home to innumerable birds, butterflies and marine life. Other activities such as boating and swimming can be enjoyed in the lake.






Mukurthi Lake is a paradise for ducks and birds in the park.