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Kotagiri in Tamil Nadu
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Kotagiri is the oldest and the third largest hill stations in the Nilgiris. Looming over and above all the surrounding hills in the North-eastern escarpmennts, its climate is claimed to be one of the best in the World. Unlike Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri is situated in an 'open-terrace' massif. At an elevation of 1985 m. the town has developed around numerous knolls and valleys. The Kotagiri weather is more bracing than that of Coonoor and balmier than that of Ooty.
Headquarters of the taluk of the same name, the town is 20 km. frm Coonoor and 28 km from Ooty and is directly accessible to the plains over a very good gradient of road (30 kms) with only four hair-pin bends. Adorned by an attractive looking Kota Shrine almost in the middle of the town (although the Kota themselves moved out of the habitation in the year 1910), the environs emanate very much of a rural flavour and rustic charm. Material amenities like transport, shopping, banking and medical facilities obtained in the town are adequate and efficient. Like Coonoor, Kotagiri is also an important centre of tea industry. Kotagiri also has the reputation of being the first place in the hills to which road was made from Sirumugai (near Mettupalayam) via Denad (in Kil-Kotagiri) in the year 1819.
Kotagiri abounding in plum-pudding-like hills is a hikers paradise. The whole of the country spread across the northern and north-eastern dells and heights still provide enthralling excursions into the tranquil naves of Nature's sanctuaries.
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How to reach
By Air - Peelamedu Airport (Coimbatore) is 53 kms away
By Train - The nearest railhead is Coonoor (21 km) and the nearest railway station is at Oooty.
By Road - Well connected by roads
Bengaluru - Kotagiri Road drive
Route - NH 948
Distance - 322 kms
Time - 6.5 hr
Places to See
St. Catherian'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 nammed 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.
Kodanaad 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.
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.
Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar
It is 20 kms from Kotagiri via Kil-Kotagiri. The conical peak exudes an exhilarating view of the wild yet harmonious semblance of the country lying around. Topping 1785 m above MSL, the site is crucially sacred to the Irulas. North by West to the peak is a huge detached pillar of rock rising abruptly on all sides to a height of about 400 ft and is unclimabable.
Long Wood Shola
About 3 km from the town, the road proceeding towards the Badaga village of "Milidhane" branes off to Longwood Shola which is Forest Reserve. A very primeval tract of wild enclave, the Shola provides a grand oppurtunity for bird-wathers ans a perfect rendezevous for serenity - seekers.
Tamil Nadu
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Capital city - Chennai
Ideal time to Visit - October to March.
A large part of the state being on the coastal edge of the country, the weather is tropical and sultry for most part of the year. The summer months of April, May, June are hottest where temperature ranges to 40 degrees.
December and January are the peak months for Chennai. The temp ranges from 20-22 degrees. To avoid peak rush October is better. The weather in these months is pleasant and easy to bear the humidity.
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