Gardens, Parks,
Museums in & Around Ooty
Botanical Gardens,
Ooty
Introduction
The 22 hectares (89,000 m2) Ooty Botanical Gardens was laid out in
1847 and is maintained by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Botanical Garden is lush,
green, and well-maintained. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare
plant species is held every May.
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The Government Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu state, India laid out in 1848. The Gardens, divided into several
sections, cover an area of around 22 hectares, and lie on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak. The garden has a terraced layout. It is
maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department.
It ascends the slopes of the hill at an elevation
of 2250–2500 metres above Mean Sea Level. The garden enjoys a temperate climate, with an
average rainfall of 140 cms, the most of which is received during south-west
monsoon, with frosty nights from November to February. The maximum and minimum
temperatures are 28 °C and 0 °C respectively.
Lush green well maintained lawns, rare tree species
(like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper
bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree - monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20
million year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering a clear
pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and
ornamental), fern house with a vast range of ferns and orchids, are some of the
many highlights of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare
plant species is held every year in the month of May at this garden. The Garden
is maintained by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu
and has a very wide variety of plants that include different types of roses,
imported shrubs, rare flowering plants etc.
The "Summer Festivals" is held each year
during the month of May in the Botanical Garden and is an added attraction for
tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival. To the east of the garden
is the Toda Mund (hill). The Todas are the native tribe. At the Mund, There is
a display highlighting the different aspects of their traditional culture.
Government
Botanical Garden, Ooty
|
|
Type
|
Botanical Garden
|
Location
|
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
|
Area
|
55 acres
|
Opened
|
1847
|
Owned by
|
Government of Tamil Nadu
|
Operated by
|
Horticulture Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
|
Status
|
Open
|
Species
|
650
|
Collections
|
Cork tree, Paper bark tree, Monkey puzzle tree
|
History
The Government Botanical Garden, Udhagamandalam was
established in 1848. Its architect was William Graham McIvor. The Marquis of Tweedale prepared the initial layout during the late 1840s.
The gardens were established by a subscription of Rs 3 per month amongst the
European residents for the purpose of supplying vegetables at a reasonable
cost. During the time that Ootacamund was under British control, considerable
cultivation of vegetables for the market was carried on by the European
settlers and others. Captain Molyneux of the 2nd European Regiment managed the
vegetable cultivation. The subscribers received vegetables free of cost. But
this arrangement did not work out and in early 1847; a fund was raised by means
of donations and subscriptions with a view to forming a horticultural society and a public garden.
There were very few horticulturists at
that time. Seeds and saplings were not available locally, but were available in
nearby jungles. It was proposed to establish a public garden. For this purpose,
a wood was selected between Lushington Hall (the Present Hebron School) and General Sewell’s Property (the present Raj Bhavan).
Shortly after the formation of the society, the committee requested state aid
for providing a scientific and practical gardener and funds to meet his salary.
This suggestion was accepted and Mr.W.G.McIvor from the Royal was sent to Ootacamund by the
East India Company. He arrived in March 1848, converted the upper portion,
which was a forest, and the lower portion, which was a swamp, into a beautiful
garden. He submitted a report at the end of 1848 to the East India Company in
London. He took ten years to complete the
layout of the Garden.
Collections
The Gardens have around a thousand species, both exotic and indigenous plants , shrubs, ferns, trees, herbal and bonsai plants. In the centre of the Gardens lie
a fossilized tree trunk estimated to be 20
million years old. The Gardens consist of several lawns with flowering plants,
ponds with lilies, beds of flowers and ferns laid out in an Italian style,
several plots of flowering plants, and a variety of medicinal plants.
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Sections
The present Botanical Gardens are divided into 6
sections namely Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory,
Fountain Terrace and Nurseries.
Lower Garden
The lower garden comprises the entrance and the
lower lawns. The entrance of the garden leads into an extensive lush green lawn
of Kikiyu grass (Pennisetum Clandestinum) which is known for its springy
vigour. A fern house with 127 species of
ferns is situated on the left along the road leading to Raj Bhavan amidst
another expanse of lawns and historic gatehouses. The
prime attractions in this section are the carpet-bet design of the map of the
Indian Union laid out with selective plants and the fossil trunk of 20 million
years old, erected on a pedestal.
Tree species of botanical interest such as
Hymnosporum flavum, Cordylline australlis, Cedrus deodara,
Cupressus funebrils, Araucaria bidwillii, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cryptomeria japonica, Eucalyptus maculate, Eucalyptus citriodora, Salix babylonica, Salix
heterophylla, Podocarpus taxifolia, Dracena lanuginosa, Pinus patula, Rhododendron arboreum, Quercus Montana, Quercus cerris, Quercus
Serrata, Quercus grilffithi, Quercus illex, Magnolia grandiflora etc., can be seen alongside the
lawn.
New Garden
The New garden developed recently, comprises the
area between the front garden and the crescent-shaped pond at the bandstand.
This section consists of:
A rose garden with three hundred varieties of Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda and Polyanthas rose
varieties. Large number of flowerbeds designed to match the slopes and contour
of this area.
Carpet-bed emblems of the Government of Tamil Nadu
and the Government of India have been located here.
Important tree species such as Taxodium mucronatum, Pieris
ovalifolia, Juniperus virginiana,
Eucalyptus eugenoides, Pinus wallichiana, Photinia lindleyana, Pinus
canaariensils,Ginkgo biloba,
Araucaria cunninghammi and Cupressus lawsoniana are planted all over the section.[10]
Italian Garden
This garden was first laid out by Italian prisoners
of World War I, who were shifted to Ooty. They were placed under the control of
the Military station in Ootacamund.
Asters, ageratum, balsam, begonia, petunia, pansy, phlox, cosmos, zinnia and perennial flowers like salvia, delphinium, larkspur, and dahlia are the main attraction in this
garden.
The informal landscape of the garden from the
entrance, merge into the formal fashioned beds laid out in an Italian pattern,
surrounding the centrally situated octagonal bandstand. This part of the garden
looks attractive with several varieties of colourful annuals. In the
foreground, there is a crescent-shaped lily pond for growing several varieties
of aquatic plant species. The tree species grown in this part of the garden are Prunus cerasoides, Saurauja nepaulensis, Grevillea hilliana,
Aesculus punduana, Pinus sabineana, Cupressus torulosa, Syncarpia
glomulifera, Pinus roxburghii, Albizzia julibrissin etc.
The Conservatory
The public conservatory was constructed in 1912
with the objective of grouping various flowering plants. Colourful annuals and
perennials like Cineraria, Schizanthus, Calceolaria, Balsam, Cyclamen, Gloxinia, Tuberous begonia, Coleus, Geranium, Chrysanthemum , Primulas, Tydea,
Achemenes etc., find a place in this conservatory.
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The bog garden lies towards the east of this
conservatory and forms an adjunct to provide a good site for marsh loving
plants such as the Weeping willow, Hedychium, Arum, Hydrangea etc.
The Nurseries
The nurseries which are about 300 feet above the
lower lawns consist of eight glass-houses and a series of terraces for
introduction and breeding of exotic plants. The glass-houses are utilized for
growing Begonias, Ferns, Cacti, Succulents, Orchids and Bulbous plants for providing a continuous supply of potted
plants to be grouped periodically in the conservatories. The terraces are utilized
for growing plants for cut flowers, seed and also for trial purposes.
The Flower Show
The first Flower Show was organised in the year
1896 by the Chairman of Nilgiris Agri-Horticultural Society, Mr.J.H.Tremenhere,
the then Collector of Nilgiris. The
Government has taken over the flower show from the Nilgiris Agri-horticultural
society in 1980 by forming a committee called the Nilgiris Flower and Fruit
Show Committee. The flower show attracts about 150,000 tourists each year from
all over the world.
The flower show is held for two days. The inauguration of the show is
held on the first day and on the second day; prizes are distributed to winners
of various competitions held in connection with flower show. About 250
exhibitors participate in different categories on the day of flower show.
Several government departments and voluntary agencies also display their
activities for the benefits of the flower lovers and tourists.
More than 50 varieties of potted plants, 150
varieties of cut flowers, various kinds of tropical and temperate vegetables
and tropical and temperate fruits are exhibited by the competitors.
The Floral decorations, Indian and Japanese flower
arrangements, Vegetable carving, Flower Rangoli, Bonsai etc., are the major
attractions during the show days. The exclusive cut flower stalls from large
private and public gardens are also an attraction during the show days. 59
rolling cups, 250 cups and cash prizes are awarded to the best competitors and
exhibitors.
A garden competition is also held involving Estate
Gardens, Private Cottage Gardens, Public Gardens and various other categories
of gardens, to create greater awareness among flower growers. On an average, about 200 gardens
compete in the event. Garden competition is held prior to the flower show and
best gardens are awarded prizes and cups.
The Fossil Tree Trunk
The fossil tree trunk displayed in the garden is
from 20 million years old. Trees
carried by rivers and deposited in inland lakes were transformed with
replacement of the woody matter by silica give rise to fossil tree trunks. The
fossil tree was presented by the Geological Survey of India, from the National
Fossil Park, Tiruvakkarai, South Arcot district, Tamil Nadu.
Arboretum
Arboretum is defined as living collections of trees
and other woody plants. The area of the arboretum is 1.58 ha. Which was
established during the year 1992 and maintained by Department of Horticulture
with Hill Area Development Programme funds and it is situated near the lake,
Udhagai. It was established with an aim of conserving native and indigenous
trees. The micro watershed area leading to Ooty Lake was neglected and the
feeder line feeding water to Ooty was contaminated with urban waste and
agricultural chemicals. The area is the natural habitats of both indigenous and
migratory birds. To conserve flora and fauna of the Nilgiri, the area was
developed into the Arboretum. During the year 2005-2006, it was rehabilated by
the funds provided by the Hill Area Development Programme to the tune of 12.50
lakhs by providing permanent fencing, food path and other infrastructure
facilities. Various indigenous and exotic tree species of are grown in
arboretum and conserved. About 80 trees have been planted in the arboretum. The
different type of tree species planted in arboretum are Alnus nepalensis, Calistemon
lanceolatus, Cupressus macrocarpa, Eugenia apiculata, Hypericum hookerianum,
Podocarpus elongata, Populus deltoids, Quercus macrocarpa Salix babylonica,
Taxodium mucronatum, Prunus pissardii etc.
In order to add some more species to the Arboretum
the following tree species were also planted. Celtis tetrandra, Dillenia pentagyna, Elaeocarpres
ferrugineus Elaeocarpres oblongus, Evodia lunuankenda, Glochidion
neilgherrense, Ligustrum perrotetti, Litsaea ligustrina, Litsaea wightiana,
Meliosma arnotiana Meliosma wightii, Michelia champaca, Michelia nilagirica,
Pygeum gardneri, Syzygium amothanum, Syzygium montanum, Alnus nepalensis,
Viburnum erubescens Podocarpus wallichianus, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Rapanea
wightiana, Ternstroemia japonica, Microtropis microcarpa, Psychotria conjesta
Photinea notoniana Cedrela toona Symplocos cochinchinensis, Elaeocarpus
ganitrus, Platanus orientalis, Jacaranda mimosaefolia, Magnolia grandiflora etc.
The Toda Mund
The Garden is also famous for the Toda hill called
the Toda Mund. This place gives the visitors an insight into the lives of the
original tribes of Ooty called the Todas.
Entry Free &
Timings
·
5 for
children
·
10 for
adults
·
Open on All days of the week
·
8:00 AM -
6:00 PM
·
1 to 2 Hours
Government Rose
Garden, Ooty
The Government rose garden (formerly known as the
Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, Centenary Rose Park and Nootrandu Roja Poonga) is the
largest rose garden in India. It is situated on the slopes of the Elk Hill
in Vijayanagaram of Ooty town in Tamil Nadu,
India at an altitude of 2200 meters. Today this garden has one of the
largest collections of roses in the country with more than 20,000 varieties of
roses of 2,800 cultivars. The collection include Hybrid Tea Roses, Miniature Roses, Polyanthas,
Papagena, Floribunda, Ramblers,
Yakimour and roses of unusual colours like black and green.
The department of Horticulture does the maintenance
of the garden. It is one of the best gardens in South Asia. To commemorate the
Centenary Flower festival, the Rose Park was established at Vijayanagaram in
Udhagamandalam covering an area of 4 hectares in five terraces. Located less
than a km from Charring Cross, the rose garden is laid on 10 acres of land. The
Rose Garden is situated in the lower slopes of the Elk Hill and on the North -
Western side, facing the Udhagamandalam town. It is about a kilometer from
Udhagamandalam Railway Station and Bus stand and has easy access with motorable
roads from two sides.
The rose varieties planted in this park were
assembled from different sources. Initially, 17,256 rose plants from 1919
varieties have been planted. Later on some more varieties are added marking the
total as 20,000 with 2241 varieties. The Nila Maadam is located in a spot from
where viewers can see the entire rose garden. This garden is maintained by
Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department
Government Rose Garden
|
|
Type
|
Botanical
|
Location
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Ooty, India
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Area
|
4 hectares
|
Opened
|
20 May 1995
|
Owned by
|
Government of Tamil
Nadu
|
Species
|
|
Collections
|
|
Establishment
The Rose Park was established at Vijayanagaram in
Ooty town to commemorate the centenary Flower Show in Government
Botanical Gardens, Udagamandalam in May 1995. The flowers are arranged in five curving
terraces covering four hectares. This garden is maintained by the
Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department.
Features
Ooty has a unique tropical mountain climate; hence
the garden has the ideal climatic conditions for growing of roses. Temperature
variation is less and the rainfall distribution is uniform in the locale, which
results in a long flowering season. The garden is visited by thousands of
tourists throughout the year and even in winter, when it is not the flowering
season.
Initially, when the gardens were developed, 1,919
varieties of roses with 17,256 rose plants were planted. Today this garden has
more than 20,000 varieties of roses of 2,800 cultivars. It is
one of the largest collections of roses in India.
The collection of roses include Miniature Roses, Ramblers, Hybrid Tea Roses, Yakimour, Polyanthas, Papagena, Floribunda and roses of unusual colours like green and black.
The varieties of rose plants planted here were assembled from different sources
around the world.
The garden has been laid out with rose tunnels,
pergolas and bowers with rose creepers. The slopes of the garden also feature
Nila Maadam, an observation platform. From the Nila Maadam, tourists can
observe the entire rose garden. The
garden also features a statue of an angel amidst the roses.
Recognition
The rose garden has also received the Garden of
Excellence Award for being
the best rose garden in south Asia, from The World Federation of Rose
Societies, during May 2006, in Osaka, Japan. This garden is one of the 35
gardens worldwide to have won this award
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Entry Free &
Timings
·
Rs 20 /
-
·
Rs 30 /-
·
Rs 75 /-
·
Open on All days of the week
·
8:00 AM -
6:00 PM
·
1 Hour
Sim's Park, Coonoor
Sim's Park is in Coonoor, The Nilgiris; Tamil Nadu. It is an important tourist
place to visit in Coonoor, at a height of 1780 meters above mean sea level.
Here the maximum temperature goes up to 30 degree Celsius and the minimum falls
to 5°C. The average rain fall of this garden is 150 cm. It extends over an
area of 12 hectares of undulating land and possesses a number of natural
advantages.
This garden was laid out in 1874 Mr.J.D. Sim, the
then Secretary to Government and Major Murray, acting Superintendent of the
Nilgiris forest and the park was named after the former. Though this was
started as a pleasure resort for the residents and visitors, the park has now
developed into Garden. Pomological research station located near Sim's park can
also be seen which do research on nursery plants and fruits. The Pasteur
Institute may also be seen just across Sim's Park which produces anti-rabi
Vaccine, DTP, DT, and TT.
Establishment
This is an unusual park-cum-botanical garden was
developed around the natural contours of the land more than a hundred years ago
and this is developed by Mr. J.D. Sims and Major Murray in the year of 1874.
Naturally occurring trees, shrubs and creepers, are in the park as are many
unusual species of plants that have been brought in from a variety of places
around the world. The main event in this park is an annual fruit show and
vegetable show held in May.
Collections and beauty
This
is a natural garden. Inside the park there are some beautiful terrace with
colorful flower beds, lawns and rockeries also
there are some naturally occurring trees, shrubs, creepers and many unusual
species of plants that have been brought from a variety of places around the
world. The garden as some rare economic trees like Rudraksh- bead
tree, Cinnamomum, Queensland karry pine, a handsome ornamental tree
and graceful trees
Like Araucaria, Quercus, Phoenix, Magnolia, Pine, Turpentine, Tree ferns, Camelliathis is
all are as many attractions in this park. There is a glass house housing different ornamental plants and
flowers. On the other side of the park rose garden are maintained. This park
has more than 1000 species of 255 generas belonging to 85 families widely
covering different group of plants.
Features
The Nilgiris has a unique tropical mountain
climate, so the garden has the ideal climatic conditions for growing flowers
and trees. Temperature variation is less and the rainfall distribution is
uniform in the locale, which results in a long flowering season. The garden is
visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year and even in winter. The
natural shola with winding footpaths all over the higher slopes of the park is
the most distinctive and picturesque is the main feature of this park. At the
head of the gardens the well kept lawns, the artistically laid out ornamental
beds, looking beautiful and lacking no wealth of the flowering plants or shrub
in great variety and colour are great feasts to the eyes.
Entry Free &
Timings
·
Rs 5 for
Adults
·
Rs 2 for
Children
·
Rs 35 for
Still Camera
·
Rs 250
for Video Camera
·
Open on All days of the week
·
8:30 AM -
6:00 PM
·
1 -
2 Hours
Lake Park
The Lake Park is situated on the banks of the Ooty Lake.
It is very near to the Bus stand and opposite to the Ooty Railway Station. The
reclaimed area of Lake was formed as a garden in the year 1977 under Hill Area
Development Programme funds by Tourism Department. Ever since the formation of
the garden it is well appreciated by all. As an entertainment both for tourists
and local public this garden it is well appreciated by all. As an entertainment
both for tourists and local public this garden was formed so as to enable them
to enjoy natural beauty with illumination during dark hours. To add attraction
to the garden a fiberglass dome was constructed in the year 1978.
Hard to miss, this sprawling area of rolling greens
is hard to miss. You just need to cross the road from the Railway Station to be
here, for the sight looks promising and luring enough from the distance.
Mini Garden
Mini Garden is located on the way to the Boat
House. It features a children’s amusement park, along with a snack bar. The
garden is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited.
It is open daily for tourists and is known for its toy rides.
This garden is just a kilometre away from the main
city and can be accessed by buses, cars and taxis.
The children's amusement park or mini garden, also
called the Children's Lake Garden is a popular attraction for little holidayers.
Entry Free &
Timings
·
Rs 1 per
Head
·
Rs 3 for
Camera
·
Rs 100
for Video Camera
·
Open on All days of the week
·
8:00 AM -
6:00 PM
Deer Park
The Ooty Deer Park is a unique wilderness
that is situated on the edge of the famous Ooty Lake. This Deer Park is
considered as one of the high altitude zoos or fauna parks in India apart from
the Nainital Zoo in Uttarakhand [perched at an altitude of 2,100 meters above
MSL].
The Ooty Deer Park is a scenic animal park that
offers a unique opportunity for visitors to observe and educate themselves
about the wildlife residing in a nearly natural habitat. Maintained by the
Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the Deer Park in Ooty was established and
inaugurated in 1986 and covers a massive area of 22 acres of which 6 acres is
fully developed and open for the general public.
The Ooty Deer Park houses the Sambar Deer species
including other wildlife such as several Hares, Rabbits and water birds besides
the Chital [Cheetal Deer]. This Deer Park in Ooty is situated at a distance of
just a kilometer from scenic Ooty Lake and is a frequented by thousands of
tourists throughout the year.
The Ooty Deer Park is best recognised as one of the
few wildlife sanctuaries in India situated at an elevation of 2,240 meters
above MSL. Sprawled across a large expanse of greenery, this Deer Park in Ooty
is also home to a good collection of aquatic life. It also forms an ideal place
for families to spend quality time with their kids and at the same educating
them about the wildlife species of the Nilgiris.
The Ooty Deer Park is also one of the easiest
locations to find in Ooty that one can visit on the way to the Ooty Botanical
Gardens or drop in while enjoying a casual stroll by the Ooty Lake.
The Ooty Deer Park is where you can gear up for an
exciting visit to view certain wildlife species that you would not otherwise
get to experience in other places. This Deer Park in Ooty offers you a glimpse
of what lies amidst the thick of the dense jungles of the Nilgiris that you
might come across during a long trekking expedition from Ooty.
The Deer Park in Ooty also features a variety of
flower species and Trees that naturally grow within the precincts of the park
thus accentuating the charm of the Ooty Deer Park and its surrounding
landscapes. After a visit to the Ooty Deer Park, you can enjoy a good meal at
any of the food outlets and Ooty restaurants fringed nearby.
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation
Limited ensures that this Deer Park in Ooty is well maintained and all the
animals are treated with great care and affection. You can also hang around the
nearby tourist spots such as the Ooty Lake, Children's Lake Garden and the Ooty
Children Park that offers a number of pony rides for kids to enjoy. However,
the Ooty Deer Park also acts as a perfect edutainment venue for kids to observe
and study the wildlife of the Nilgiris and learn more about their natural
habitat and way of living.
The Ooty Deer Park also acts as an ideal place to
visit during any time of the year converting it into an all-year-round tourist
spot in Ooty. This Deer Park in Ooty is a great alternate consolation for
tourists who otherwise fail to visit the more exotic tourist attractions in
Ooty especially during the monsoon season or owing to personal &
situational occurrences. This Park is worth every second of your time and
energy hence, a visit to the Ooty Deer Park should definitely be added to your
Ooty Sightseeing Travel Itinerary.
Government Museum
The government museum, Mysore Road, Ooty has items
of tribal objects, district's ecological details and representative sculptural
arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu. It was set up in 1989, with a view to provide
education benefits to the residing and visiting population of Nilgiris district.
Tourist Information Admission Free Timings 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to
5.00 pm Closed on Fridays, Second Saturdays and National Holidays.
The Government Museum, on Mysore Road, has an
interesting collection of tribal artifacts, flora and fauna of the Nilgiris and
handicrafts of Tamil Nadu.
It exhibits various tribal objects, representative
sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu and the ecological details of the
Nilgiri district.
The Government Museum situated in Ooty - Mysore
Road has items of tribal objects, district's ecological details and
representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu.
Thread Gardens
It is one of the main attractions in Ooty, where
colourful flowers are made out of threads. The flowers and plants here are entirely
woven by hand without the help of any machine. It is unbelievable that even
needle is not been used in the making of these flowers and plants.
His unique garden full of colourful flowers made
from threads is perhaps one of the most amazing sites one could come across.
Lalith kala Academy
It is situated about 2 Kms, from Udhagamandalam in
the main Mysore road. It has various collections of contemporary paintings and
sculptures all over from India.
Wax World
A wax museum that houses life-size look-alike wax
statues of personalities of Indian history, culture and heritage housed in a
142-year-old bungalow. Located in the Ooty-Coonoor road.
Take a walk in the corridors of Indian history,
culture and heritage, rubbing shoulders with the country's who's who at Wax
World Museum. This is India's very own Madame Tussaud's, with the most
eminent figures of Indian history coming almost alive in life size wax statues.
It's fast on its way to becoming one of the best wax museums in India, with the
collection increasing steadily and continuously. Wax World Museum
is the brain child of Shreeji Bhaskaran, an IT professional and business man,
who dreamt of having the first wax museum in India. Located in the precincts of
a 140 -year-old mansion, Wax World Museum is a great attraction for
the ones scouring for something different on a vacation.
The Wax World Museum in Ooty is
not the usual place where you could visit and easily forget. Without doubt,
Madame Tussaud’s’ Wax Museum does hold a classy position in the world of
museums; however the Wax World Museum in Ooty still has a long way to go before
it can reach that status.
The Wax World Museum in Ooty is a great alternative
to sightseeing mountains and natural valleys of Ooty. Situated just 2
kilometers from the main town of Ooty, this is a place that you would want to
visit during your vacation in Ooty. It makes for thoroughly enjoyable and
informative experience especially for kids who get a visual treat of wax
statues with the added benefit of not having to cross seven seas to see one.
Easily accessible, the Wax World Museum in Ooty can
be visited during the start of your sightseeing tour in Ooty. You can make a
quick stop at the Wax World Museum and then proceed to other tourists places in
Ooty that are farther in distance such as the Parsons Valley, Pykara Lake or
Mukurthi National Park to name a few.
Ooty is an apt travel halt for many global tourists
who can visit the Wax World Museum while in Ooty that will definitely excite
you with the collection of 20 odd life-size replica wax statues of renowned
Indian personalities including wax statues that silently communicate about the
History of India, its heritage and cultural aspects.
Entry Free &
Timings
·
Rs 20
·
Rs 30
·
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
·
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Visit Duration
·
Around 1 hour
Tribal Museum
The Tribal Museum is part of the campus of Tribal
Research Centre which is in Muthorai Palada (10 km from Ooty town). It is
home to rare artifacts and photographs of tribal groups of Tamil Nadu as well
as Andaman and Nicobar Islands and anthropological and archaeological primitive
human culture and heritage. The Tribal Museum also displays houses belongs to Toda,
Kota, Paniya, Kurumbas and Kanikarans.
The tribal research center (T R C) was constituted
on second October 1983 at Udhagamandalam and is functioning on its own 25 acres
of hilly terrain at M Paladin, 10 km away from Ooty bus stand. His Excellency,
the then President of India, Thiru Gyani Zail Singh had very kindly laid the
foundation stone for the Tribal Research Centre, listed at present with
Ministry of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.
This center is funded by both State and central
Governments on 5050 basic and it is the youngest of the 14 Tribal Research
institutes in the country. The relevance of Tribal Research Centre is very much
identified as 'Tribal Essential Institute' for the welfare of the 36 Scheduled
Tribes of Tamil Nadu
Major objectives of the Tribal Research centre is
·
To conduct studies on tribal
Communities
·
To import training and proper
orientation on tribal cultures and development.
·
To record Social, Economic, Religious,
political and Psychological changes among the Scheduled Tribes.
·
To recommend weaker community
·
Thus the Tribal Research Centre is
acting as an integral part of the planned Development of the Tribals. It is
concentrating more on Nilgiris district because all the six Primitive Tribal
Groups (PTGs) identified by the Government of India like Todas, Kotas, Irulas,
Kurumbas, Paniyans and Kattunayakans are exclusive inhabiting since ages in
Nilgiri hills.
·
Facilities Available at Tribal Research
Centre
·
Library with books and journals on
tribal studies
·
Well furnished Guest house
·
Tribal Map on the land
·
Audio-video system to entertain tribal
festivals and tradition of dance and song
·
Indoor and open Air Tribal Museum.
·
Special Cultural heritage Attraction
· The Tribal Museum is functioning in the
campus of Tribal Research Centre since 1989 depicting various tribal cultures
of Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Recently carved fiber-made
tribal statues are attracting more number of tourists from India and abroad
Stone House
Stone House is
the first bungalow constructed
in Ooty. It was built by John Sullivan and was called as Kal
Bangala by the tribals (Kal means stone in local tribal language). John
Sullivan started building Stonehouse in 1822, acquiring land from the Todas at
one rupee an acre. Today, it is the official residence for the principal of
the Government Arts College, Ooty. The tree in front of the
bungalow is famously known as the Sullivan's oak.
Stone House
|
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Former names
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Kal Bangala
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General information
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Architectural style
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Location
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Country
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Elevation
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2240 m
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Construction started
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1822
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Client
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Owner
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Government of Tamil
Nadu
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For many years, tourists visiting Ooty have
marvelled at an amazing structure called Stone House. It is an important
monument as it has led to the development of tourism in this region over a
period of time. Shortly after it was built, it became a popular European summer
resort. Now, it serves as the official residence of the Principal of Government
Arts College. Architecture of Ooty Stone House inspired many colonial
buildings that were built in the region following its construction. A great deal
of modernization was brought about in the region after these construction
activities.
This building came into existence due to efforts of
John Sullivan, Collector of Coimbatore district during British India in early
nineteenth century and his associates. After discovering several Ooty places and
attractions, he decided to go ahead with a project aimed at its modernization.
The foundation was laid through construction of this building, and Ooty was
made accessible by clearing forests, constructing roads and laying a railway
track. When Mr. Sullivan was convinced that the region was a good place to stay
and had all the qualities that would make it a future tourist destination, he
constructed the first mansion which is currently known as Ooty Stone
House among visitors.