kotagiri : MY Home town.

KOTAGIRI Sight Seeing:

The Hill Station of Kotagiri has several tourist attractions.
 
Kodanad View Point

It is 18 kms away from Kotagiri on the easternmost ridges of the Blue Mountains and hence the name meaning Terminus Country.From this point, the country lies spread out before the eye sparkling hills row after as though bathed in the mystic silver sunshine. The enchanting valley dips down to embrace the historic gajalahatti pass glancing at the green corpeted paddy fields of Thengumarahaada and watced over from its eyrie by the habitat of   

                Hallimoyar.While the River Moyar scurries along to join her pal Bhanvani round the corner, across the valley of Talamalai ranges of the Eastern Ghats cuddle upto Mysore Plateau, westerly strides of which again adjoin the Kodanaadu stairs in the north, over the deeptrenched Mysore Ditch.

St. Catherine’s Falls: 

                 It is 8 km from kotagiri on the Mettupalyam road branching off at Aravenu. This double-cascaded Falls is the second highest in the district(250 ft) and it waters from the upper stream of the kallar river crossed by the invisible Mettupalyam-Ooty road beyond the mountains in the south-west.

It is named after the wife of M.D. Cockburn, the pioneer-planter of Kotagiri. The native name of the Falls is GEddhehaada Halla meaning “Foothills Dale River”.

                 It presents a lovely view of the sweeps of forests and woodlands, waylaid by tea gardens and yet running to meet the plains in the south-western moorings.The glittering Dolphin’s Nose of Coonoor is also seen across the mighty gap in the hills-one of the three great systems of faults in the geological formation of the Blue Mountains.

John Sullivan Bungalow
Another attraction is the John Sullivan’s bungalow, which was built during his stay. This has just been renovated and is presently open to the public. Located in Kannerimukku it is about 20 minutes from the main town.

The Longwood Forest


            The Longwood Forest which is located within Kotagiri town is an immaculate tropical evergreen forest. It serves as a sheltered refuge for anyone seeking peace and quiet and is also home to the flying fox (a large arboreal squirrel) that is a delightful scene for the zoologists. Also a resident family of about 20 bison can be seen in the evenings just outside the forest on Milidhane road, grazing.

The Nehru Park

             The Nehru Park can be found in the town and is a big complex housing a temple of the Kotas. The Gandhi maidanam which serves as the public playground, congregation centre and the flood shelter which is used in normal times for indoor games can also be seen here. A private park which is around 3 km from the town on coonoor road specializes in oses and is a must see in March to June.

Elk Falls:

             It is 7 km from Kotagiri and situate above Uyilathi village. The road passes through serenely laid out Badaga habitations.
‘Enroute’ at the Kannerimukku village is found the first European house in the Nilgiris built by collector Sullivan in the year 1819. The two-storeyed house is now in a sad-state or ruins.
Though the water is fully only in the wet months, the site is always worth a visit. It commands towards the north, a spectacular view of the Echoing Valley of Kookal and a vista of exquisite surroundings.
A very primeval tract of wild enclave, the Shola provides a grand opportunity for bird-withers and a perfect rendezevous for serenity – seekers.