Are you looking for a serene and scenic getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city? Do you want to experience the beauty and diversity of nature in one place? If yes, then Masinagudi is the perfect destination for you.
Masinagudi is a hill station and a tourist hotspot in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located about 30 km from Ooty and offers a stunning view of the Nilgiri Hills, the Western Ghats and the plains below. Masinagudi is also known for its rich culture, history and wildlife.
In this article, we will explore the best places to visit in Masinagudi and how to plan a trip there. We will also provide you with some useful tips and tricks to make your stay memorable and enjoyable.
10 Best Places to Visit in Masinagudi
Masinagudi has a lot to offer to its visitors. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation or culture, you will find something that suits your taste. Here are 10 of the best places to visit in Masinagudi:
Masinagudi Lake:
This is the main attraction of Masinagudi. It is a man-made lake that was created by damming a stream. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a serene and picturesque view of the hills. You can enjoy boating, fishing or just sitting by the lake and watching the sunset.
Kallar Lake:
This is another beautiful lake near Masinagudi. It is also known as Kallar Falls or Kallar Waterfall. The lake is formed by a waterfall that cascades from a height of 300 feet. The water is crystal clear and refreshing. You can also see some rare birds and butterflies near the lake.
Kallar Falls:
This is not just a waterfall but also a natural pool where you can swim or dive into the water. The pool is located at the base of the waterfall and has a depth of about 15 feet. The water is cool and soothing. You can also enjoy some rock climbing or rappelling near the falls.
Kallar Wildlife Sanctuary:
This is a wildlife sanctuary that covers an area of about 1000 acres near Masinagudi. It is home to various animals such as leopards, sloth bears, elephants, deer, monkeys and more. You can take a safari or an elephant ride through the sanctuary and spot some wildlife.
Kallar Viewpoint:
This is one of the best viewpoints in Masinagudi that offers a panoramic view of the hills, valleys and plains below. You can see some spectacular views from here such as Coonoor, Ooty, Mettupalayam and more. You can also enjoy some trekking or camping near here.
Kallar Temple:
This is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located near Kallar Lake. The temple was built by King Kallar who ruled over this region centuries ago. The temple has some beautiful carvings and sculptures depicting various aspects of Hindu mythology.
Kallar Fort:
This is another historical fort located near Kallar Temple. The fort was built by King Kallar’s son who expanded his kingdom further southward. The fort has some ruins of walls, gates and towers that showcase its past glory.
Kallar Caves:
These are natural caves located near Kallar Lake that have some interesting features such as stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls and pools. The caves are also known as Kallar Waterfall Caves or Kallar Waterfall Cave Temple.
Kallar Viewpoint Park:
This is a park located near Kallar Viewpoint that offers some facilities such as benches, tables, toilets and drinking water for visitors. The park also has some greenery and flowers that add to its beauty.
Kallar Viewpoint Cafe:
This is a cafe located near Kallar Viewpoint Park that serves some delicious food items such as sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and more. The cafe also has some live music and events that make it a fun place to hang out.
Also check out: Manasa Kunala'a trip to Masinagudi
How to Plan a Trip to Masinagudi
Masinagudi is a great destination for anyone who loves nature, adventure and culture. However, planning a trip to Masinagudi can be challenging as it is not well connected by road or rail. Here are some tips and tricks to help you plan a trip to Masinagudi:
- The best time to visit Masinagudi is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and the hills are green. Avoid visiting during the monsoon season from June to September as the roads can be slippery and the waterfalls can be dangerous.
- The best way to reach Masinagudi is by road from Ooty or Coonoor. You can either drive your own car or hire a taxi or a bus. The distance from Ooty to Masinagudi is about 30 km and it takes about an hour to reach. The distance from Coonoor to Masinagudi is about 40 km and it takes about an hour and a half to reach.
- The nearest airport to Masinagudi is Coimbatore International Airport which is about 120 km away. You can either take a flight from Coimbatore or Chennai and then hire a taxi or a bus to reach Masinagudi. Alternatively, you can take a train from Ooty or Coonoor railway station which are both about 30 km away and then hire a taxi or a bus to reach Masinagudi.
- The nearest railway station to Masinagudi is Kallar Lake Railway Station which is about 1 km away from Kallar Lake. You can either take a train from Ooty or Coonoor railway station which are both about 30 km away and then hire a taxi or a bus to reach Kallar Lake Railway Station. From there, you can take another taxi or bus to reach Masinagudi.
- The nearest bus stand to Masinagudi is Kallar Lake Bus Stand which is about 2 km away from Kallar Lake. You can either take a bus from Ooty, Coonoor, Mettupalayam or other nearby towns and then get down at Kallar Lake Bus Stand. From there, you can take another taxi or bus to reach Masinagudi.
- There are no hotels or resorts in Masinagudi as it is not a major tourist destination. However, you can find some homestays or cottages near Kallar Lake that offer basic facilities such as rooms, bathrooms, electricity and water. You can also find some campsites near Kallar Viewpoint that offer tents, fireplaces, toilets and drinking water.
- There are no restaurants or cafes in Masinagudi as it is not a major tourist destination. However, you can find some shops near Kallar Lake that sell snacks, fruits, vegetables and other items. You can also find some stalls near Kallar Viewpoint that sell food items.
Other Attractions To Visit Nearby
There are many other attractions to visit nearby Masinagudi that can enhance your travel experience. Here are some of them:
Mudumalai National Park:
This is a wildlife sanctuary that covers an area of about 1000 acres near Masinagudi. It is home to various animals such as leopards, sloth bears, elephants, deer, monkeys and more. You can take a safari or an elephant ride through the sanctuary and spot some wildlife.
Pykara Falls:
This is a waterfall that cascades from a height of 300 feet near Masinagudi. The water is crystal clear and refreshing. You can also see some rare birds and butterflies near the waterfall.
Maravakandy Dam:
This is a dam that was built in 1951 near Masinagudi. It is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a scenic view of the hills. You can also enjoy boating, fishing or picnicking near the dam.
Theppakadu Elephant Camp:
This is an elephant camp that offers an opportunity to interact with elephants in their natural habitat. You can feed, bathe and ride the elephants and learn about their behavior and care.
Moyar River:
This is a tributary of the Bhavani River situated 7 km from Masinagudi. It is known for its picture-perfect surroundings. You can enjoy boating, fishing or just sitting by the river and watching the sunset.
Bandipur National Park:
This is another wildlife sanctuary that covers an area of about 1000 acres near Masinagudi. It is home to various animals such as tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, monkeys and more. You can take a safari or a jeep ride through the park and spot some wildlife.
Ooty Lake:
This is a lake that was created by damming a stream near Ooty. It is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a serene and picturesque view of the hills. You can enjoy boating, fishing or just sitting by the lake and watching the sunset.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta:
This is a hill station that offers a panoramic view of Ooty and its surroundings. It is also known for its temples, waterfalls and forests. You can enjoy trekking, camping or paragliding near here.
If you are looking for a unique and memorable experience in Ooty, then Masinagudi is the place to visit. We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Thank you for reading and happy travels!