The Queen of hill stations, Udhagmandalam or Ooty is a gift of nature, in the picturesque Nilgiris (Blue Mountains), with its rolling green downs for hunting, misty mornings and mild evenings, making it reminiscent of the English countryside.

The ambient beauty of this hill station lies in its peaceful ranges, surrounded by a misty blue haze. Known for its salubrious climate and scenic beauty, it is a delightful place to escape to, from the oppressive summer heat, for the South Indians and in the winters for North Indians, wanting to avoid the cold.

It is really surprising how this paradise remained unknown to the powerful rulers of the South. Although the first inhabitants of this place were TODAS, a tribe that still continue to live there, though their population is only about 3000, the place remained unknown to the outside world till early 19th century.

The real credit for modernizing Ooty and making it accessible goes to the British who constructed the first railway line in the area and made it the summer capital of the Madras Presidency. They constructed various bungalows, buildings and lakes to give it a present look.

A unique feature of this garden, right in the midst of all the greenery and jus t below the Mini Lake, is a fossil tree trunk, which is 20 million years old. Both the annual Flower show of the Agri-Horticulture department and the Dog show of the South Indian Kennel Club are held here.

The rolling fairway below, slopes steeply down to a valley and then, as though tired of lying low, slopes upward, rather reluctantly, only to find the effort too much and slopes down again. To the left, the imposing eucalyptus trees hide the terrain beyond and the ground falls away rather abruptly.

In clear weather, Ooty, Coonoor and sometimes even the far off Coimbatore plain and distant Mysore plateau, can be seen. A micro telescope is functional here and the place is well connected by bus services from Ooty.

The wildlife includes Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse, Wild Boar, and Porcupine etc. The avifauna is varied with minivets, Hornbills, fairy Blue Birds, Jungle Fowls etc.

Python, Monitor Lizard, and flying lizard etc represent the Reptilians. Picturesque scenic spots in the sanctuary, include the Moyar Waterfalls, the Chief Ministers watch tower, Ombetta Swamp, Theppakad elephant camp etc.

And everywhere there are the darn gorse bushes. Innocent to look at, almost like untended tea bushes, deceptively opaque, with a capacity to suck an impenetrable coat of thorns.