Indian Columbus

Located at a distance of around 10 kms from the center of Coonoor, Dolphin's Nose is a popular hill viewpoint. With an altitude of about 1550 meters above the sea level,  this gives an excellent view of the surrounding hills. If the weather condition is conducive, we could even get a distant glimpse of Catherine waterfalls. As the tip of the hill resembles the nose of a dolphin, the site is called so. From the base, an easy trek for 1 km would take us to this viewpoint.Happy travelling.

After Ooty, Coonoor is the second most famous town of Nilgris mountain ranges. Sim's Park is one destination in Coonoor, which none of the tourists miss to visit.With the aim of serving as a resort for European residents, the garden was laid out in 1874 CE by J.D. Sim, the Government Secretary and Major Murray. Hence, the park was named after one of its founders. 

Extending an area of around 12 hectares, this park has varieties of trees, plants, shrubs and creepers. It attracts a large number of tourists every year during the annual fruit and vegetable show.The rose garden and the boating in the lake are the major attractions within the park.Happy travelling.

Established in 1848 CE, the Botanical Garden, is one of the most popular sites of Ooty. It covers an area of around 55 acres. It is located on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak.Today, it is one of the few sites of Ooty, which is visited by thousands of people every day. However, it was established with the sole purpose of providing vegetables at a reasonable price only to the European residents. Designed by a Scottish gardener, William Graham Mclvor, this 170+ years garden has thousands of varieties of trees, plants and herbs. A fossiled tree trunk estimated to be 20 million years old, is an added attraction. Happy travelling.

Ooty is Tamil Nadu's pride. And, Rose Garden is Ooty's pride.Founded in 1995, the Government Rose Garden in Udagamandalam (also known as Ooty) is one of the best rose gardens of South Asia. Hardly, there are less than 40 rose gardens in the entire world. And, this garden is one of the most popular ones.

Name a variety of rose or think about a different color for a rose. You would definitely find the same here. Located at an altitude of 2200 meters on the slopes of the Elk Hill, this site is a delight for the nature lovers and photographers. Covering an area of four acres, this garden has more than 20,000 varieties of roses.What are you waiting for? Go to Ooty and visit this incredible garden right away.Happy travelling. 

Not many know that a small piece of the relic of the true Holy Cross that was carried by Jesus Christ is there in an Indian Church. Let us explore this lesser-known site.Located in Kandal locality on the outskirts of Ooty, the Catholic Church is called Kandal Cross Shrine. It is also known as Jerusalem of the East. 

The church houses a big bronze crucifix with the relic in a small glass case. It is believed that this relic was from the original cross that was carried by Jesus Christ. It is said that Rev Fr Paul Craysaac brought this small piece of the true cross from Jerusalem in 1939. The relic was subsequently installed in this site and Paul Craysaac built this church. The church has a prayer hall and an artificial cave. The cave shrine has the holy relic and the icon of Jesus buried inside the tomb. Outside the church, there is an icon depicting the crucifixion of Jesus. Happy travelling. 

Udagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty, is a well-known tourist destination across the country. Thousands of tourists throng to the Queen of Hills to enjoy their holidays. No doubt! But, not even 5% of those tourists visit this beautiful 200 years old church with significant heritage value. Let me introduce you to this less frequented site of Ooty, known as St. Stephen's Church.



In the early 1800s, Ooty became almost like a summer capital for the Britishers of Madras presidency. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the successor of Thomas Munro and the Governor of Madras, felt the need for a church in Ooty exclusively for the British and made arrangements to build the same. He laid the foundation for the church on 23rd April 1829. 

With John James Underwood, the Captain of Madras Regiment, as the architect, the structure was constructed within one year. The extensive wooden work and Burma work ceiling would awe any visitor. All these timber were taken from Tipu Sultan's palace in Sriran…