Droog Fort & View Point,
Coonoor, Nilgiris
Droog Fort is a historic fort, located in Huligal, a mountainous town in picturesque Nilgiris
Hills near Ooty Hill Station in Coonoor Taluk of Nilgiris District of
Tamilnadu. Droog Fort is also called as Bakasuran Malai
fort or Bakasuran Peak Fort. The historical Droog Fort is situated at an
altitude of about 6000 feet above the lush plains, offers a spectacular view to
the visitors and is one of the popular Coonoor
tourist places.
Legends
According to mythological tales,
the fort is linked with the legend of a local demon, Bakasuran. Due to this, it
is also called Bakasuran Malai by the natives.
History
The fort was used as an outpost
by Tipu
Sultan in the 18th century.
The Fort & View Point
Droog Fort is situated at an
altitude of about 6000 feet above mean sea level. The Droog Fort is in complete
ruins with only one wall remaining. There is a View Point called Bakasuran Peak
View Point. It offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. One can also
capture the scenic beauty through the watchtower. This spot is an exceptional
point for trekkers and adventure seekers. Neither does it leave behind the bird
watchers. An exotic number of rare species of birds fly their way through the
fort and also few Malabar squirrels and flying foxes. It is necessary to be
extremely careful about bison that frequently roam around the premises.
As you stand in the view point
facing the Ghat road, you can see Coonoor and the mountains on the west and
north of Coonoor, dolphin nose, Kotagiri and even the hairpin bends of the
Mettupalayam-Coonoor Ghat road. On the eastern edge of the mountains, you see
the plains of Odanthurai, Mettupalayam, Further, to the south, you see the
entire Mettupalayam town, the curves of Bhavani river and Vana Badrakaliamman temple.
Another amazing view that you
can get from the mountain top is the view of Pilloor dam, which is in the
eastern slopes of Nilgiris in the middle of a reserved forest. If you walk
through a jungle for a few metres from the view point, you can reach a rocky
place from where you can get a better view of the Pilloor dam. Again, one has
to be very careful here, as it is in a dangerous elevation and if you fall
down, there is not even a tree branch to hold you. The lush tea gardens cover
most of the area in Bakasura Malai, Droog and Nonsuch.
There are about 80 bisons in the
area which roam inside the tea gardens. Bakasuran Malai is a great place for an
excellent picnic. It is a great place for photography and bird watching. This
is a less known place very close to Coonoor which can give you an
unforgettable trekking experience. Near the Bakasura Malai village, there is a
BSNL tower which is visible as you travel through the Ghat road. The tower is
another great viewpoint and you can have a much closer look at the Ghat road
from here. It is another dangerous edge, so one has to be very careful here.
Connectivity
Droog
Fort & View Point is located
at about 8 Kms from Huligal, 16 Kms from Coonoor, 14 Kms from Coonoor Bus
Stand, 14 Kms from Coonoor Railway Station, 32 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 33 Kms
from Ooty, 33 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 33 Kms from Kotagiri, 41 Kms from Mettupalayam
Railway Station and 78 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. To reach this place, one has to
go up to Nonsuch Estate and trek for about 4 kms. This place demands moderate
level trekking for about 1 Hour one way. Private
Taxis are available from Ooty and Coonoor to reach this place.
Location
