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Ooty
 Ooty is South India's most famous hill station, established by the British in the early 19th century as the summer headquarters of the Madras (now Chennai) government.
Until about 20 years ago, Ooty resembled an unlikely combination of southern England and Australia: single-storey stone cottages, bijou-fenced flowergardens, leafy winding lanes and tall eucalyptus stands.
Ooty has an undeniable charm and the hills and forest around it are sensational for trekking. Life here is relaxed and just a few
kilometers out of town you are in the peace of the hills with superb views.
Other Useful Information
Sights
Botanical Gardens
Established in 1848, these beautifully maintained gardens (admission child/adult Rs 3/10, camera/video Rs 30/100; opens 8am-6.30pm) include numerous mature species as well as Italian and Japanese sections. There is also a fossilised tree trunk believed to be around 20 million years old.
St Stephen's Church
Built in 1829, St Stephen's Church (Church Hill Road; opens 10am-1pm & 3-5pm Mon-Sat, services 8am & 11am Sun) is the oldest in the Nilgiris. Its huge wooden beams came from the palace of Tipu Sultan in Srirangapatnam and were hauled the 120km by a team of elephants.
Tribal Research Centre
Under the auspices of the Tribal Research Centre (TRC), this small but interesting museum (admission free; opens 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, closed holidays) has many exhibits, including models of homes of the various hill tribes.
Thread Garden
The signs scream 'first time in world' and 'miracle', but for all the over-the-top enthusiasm, the Thread
Garden (North Lake Road; admission Rs 10, camera/video Rs 15/30; opens 8.30am-7.30pm) is a unique exhibition. Over 150 species of flowers and plants from around the world have been meticulously recreated using coloured thread. At first glance the flowers look real but each one has been hand-embroidered without using a needle. The technique was perfected by Keralan artist Anthony Joseph and the work on display is said to have taken 12 years to complete.
Centenary Rose Park
With its terraced lawns and it's colourful flower beds, this rose garden (Selbourne
Road; admission adult/child Rs 10/5, camera/video Rs 30/50; opens 9am-6.30pm) is a pleasant place for a stroll. There are good views over Ooty from the hilltop location.
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