Ootacamund Botanical Gardens

There are a variety of trees and shrubs as well as some conservatories with exotic ferns and flowering plants.  it is a pity that there are not too many indigenous shola varieties and most of the trees are introduced Australian species.  Keep a watch for colorful Nilgiri birds in the trees and hedges.  The lawns are tantalizingly inviting. At the top of the Botanical Gardens, there is a small Toda settlement with a thatched Toda temple and a Toda house. The rose garden is spectacular as is the Annual Flower Show, when in bloom.  

Blue Mountain railway

In 1890, the Blue Mountain Railway was constructed for administrators to travel to Ooty from Madras. From Ooty to Coonoor, a diesel locomotive is used and beyond that it has a steam rack system for the steep Mettapullayan-Coonoor section. In the front of the railway is a bookable first class coach. This is a famous outing and hence the reservations have to be done well in advance. The rush is maximum during the school holidays in India in the months of April and May.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

The meeting place of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats is the location of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. In this place, many native species move with ample freedom. Some of these can be easily spotted while others demand some patience.

The Sabarmati Ashram was the dwelling of the great Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. It is situated close to Vadaj.

Mr.

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