Are you looking for a refreshing and relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life? Do you want to experience the beauty and diversity of nature in one of the most scenic hill stations in India? If yes, then you should definitely visit Ooty Botanical Garden, a stunning attraction that will enchant you with its charm and wonder.
Ooty Botanical Garden, also known as Government Botanical Garden, is a sprawling garden in Udhagamandalam (Ooty), a popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. The garden covers an area of 22 hectares and is divided into six sections, each with its own theme and collection of plants and flowers. The garden is home to over 650 species of plants, trees, and flowers, some of which are rare and exotic. The garden also boasts of some historical and cultural attractions, such as the Toda hill, the fossilized tree trunk, and the annual flower show.
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to Ooty Botanical Garden, covering its history, layout, flower show, and how to reach it. We will also share some tips and suggestions for making the most of your visit to this floral paradise. Read on to find out more!
History of Ooty Botanical Garden
Ooty Botanical Garden was established in 1848 by William Graham McIvor, a British horticulturist who was appointed as the superintendent of the garden. He designed the garden in an Italian style, with terraces, fountains, ponds, and lawns. He also planted many exotic and ornamental plants from different parts of the world, such as camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, and conifers.
The garden was later expanded and improved by several other superintendents, such as Marquis of Tweeddale, John Sullivan, J.W. Broughton, E.H. Wilson, etc. They added more sections and varieties of plants and flowers to the garden, such as ferns, orchids, roses, lilies, etc. They also introduced some rare and unique tree species to the garden, such as the cork tree (the only one of its kind in India), the monkey puzzle tree (a native of South America), the paper bark tree (a native of Australia), etc.
The garden also has a historical and cultural significance, as it houses the Toda hill or Toda mund, which is an ancient settlement of the Toda tribe, one of the indigenous communities of Ooty. The Toda hill has a temple dedicated to their deity Uthgai Mandi or Uthgai Natchi. The temple is made of stones and has a conical roof covered with grass. The temple is open to visitors only once a year during their festival.
The garden also hosts the annual flower show every year in May since 1896. The flower show is one of the most awaited events in Ooty, attracting thousands of tourists and locals. The flower show showcases a dazzling display of various kinds of flowers, plants, and arrangements. The flower show also features some competitions and exhibitions, such as flower arrangements, vegetable carving, flower rangoli, bonsai, floral decorations, etc. The flower show also awards gold medals, silver medals, certificates, etc. to the best participants and exhibitors.
Layout of Ooty Botanical Garden
Ooty Botanical Garden is divided into six sections: lower garden, new garden, Italian garden, conservatory, nurseries, and fountain terrace. Each section has its own theme and collection of plants and flowers. Here is a brief description of each section:
Lower garden:
This is the oldest and largest section of the garden, covering an area of 13 hectares. This section has a variety of plants and flowers, such as ferns, orchids, roses, lilies, dahlias, marigolds, etc. This section also has some attractions, such as the cork tree, the monkey puzzle tree, the paper bark tree, the fossilized tree trunk (which is estimated to be 20 million years old), the Toda hill, and the flower show pavilion.
New garden:
This section was added in 1970 and covers an area of 4 hectares. This section has some exotic and rare plants and flowers, such as cacti, succulents, bromeliads, heliconias, etc. This section also has some attractions, such as the glass house (which displays some tropical plants), the rockery (which displays some alpine plants), and the Japanese garden (which displays some bonsai).
Italian garden:
This section was added in 1986 and covers an area of 2 hectares. This section has a formal and symmetrical design, with terraces, fountains, ponds, and lawns. This section has some ornamental and colorful plants and flowers, such as azaleas, hydrangeas, geraniums, petunias, etc.
Conservatory:
This section was added in 1912 and covers an area of 1 hectare. This section has a greenhouse that houses some delicate and fragile plants and flowers, such as orchids, anthuriums, begonias, gloxinias, etc. This section also has some attractions, such as the musical fountain (which plays music and lights along with the water jets), and the topiary garden (which displays some plants shaped into animals and birds).
Nurseries:
This section covers an area of 2 hectares and has several nurseries that propagate and cultivate various kinds of plants and flowers for the garden and for sale. Some of the nurseries are rose nursery, orchid nursery, fern nursery, lily nursery, etc.
Fountain terrace:
This section is located at the entrance of the garden and has a large fountain that welcomes the visitors. This section also has some plants and flowers that adorn the fountain and the terrace.
Flower Show at Ooty Botanical Garden
The flower show at Ooty Botanical Garden is one of the most spectacular and popular events in Ooty. The flower show is held every year in May, coinciding with the peak season of tourism in Ooty. The flower show lasts for three days, usually from Friday to Sunday. The flower show attracts thousands of tourists and locals, who flock to the garden to witness the amazing display of various kinds of flowers, plants, and arrangements.
The flower show showcases a dazzling display of over 15000 varieties of flowers, plants, and arrangements. Some of the flowers that can be seen at the flower show are roses, orchids, lilies, carnations, gerberas, chrysanthemums, gladioli, etc. Some of the plants that can be seen at the flower show are cacti, succulents, bromeliads, heliconias, bonsai, etc. Some of the arrangements that can be seen at the flower show are flower arrangements, vegetable carving, flower rangoli, floral decorations, etc.
The flower show also features some competitions and exhibitions, where participants and exhibitors showcase their creativity and skills in various categories. Some of the categories are flower arrangements, vegetable carving, flower rangoli, bonsai, floral decorations, etc. The participants and exhibitors are judged by a panel of experts and awarded gold medals, silver medals, certificates, etc. for their excellence.
The flower show also offers some entertainment and fun for the visitors. The flower show has some cultural programs, such as folk dances, music performances, etc. The flower show also has some stalls and shops, where visitors can buy some souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks, etc.
The flower show is a must-see event for anyone who loves nature and beauty. The flower show is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the senses. The flower show is a memorable experience that will leave you spellbound and amazed.
You may also like to check out: Ten things to do in Ooty
How To Reach Ooty Botanical Garden
Ooty Botanical Garden is easily accessible from different places by different modes of transport. Here are some of the ways to reach Ooty Botanical Garden:
By bus:
Ooty Botanical Garden is located on Vannarapettai Road, which is about 3 km from Ooty bus stand. There are frequent buses that ply from Ooty bus stand to Ooty Botanical Garden. The bus fare is around Rs. 10 per person. The bus journey takes about 15 minutes.
By taxi:
Ooty Botanical Garden is located on Vannarapettai Road, which is about 3 km from Ooty railway station. There are many taxis that are available from Ooty railway station to Ooty Botanical Garden. The taxi fare is around Rs. 100 per trip. The taxi journey takes about 10 minutes.
By auto-rickshaw:
Ooty Botanical Garden is located on Vannarapettai Road, which is about 3 km from Ooty town center. There are many auto-rickshaws that are available from Ooty town center to Ooty Botanical Garden. The auto-rickshaw fare is around Rs. 50 per trip. The auto-rickshaw journey takes about 10 minutes.
By train:
Ooty Botanical Garden is located on Vannarapettai Road, which is about 3 km from Ooty railway station. Ooty railway station is connected to Coimbatore by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The NMR is a a scenic and historic railway that runs through the hills and valleys of the Nilgiris. The NMR has several stations, such as Mettupalayam, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale, etc.
The NMR offers a breathtaking and thrilling ride, with views of tea plantations, forests, waterfalls, bridges, tunnels, etc. The NMR takes about 5 hours to reach Ooty from Coimbatore. The NMR fare is around Rs. 250 per person.
By air:
Ooty Botanical Garden is located on Vannarapettai Road, which is about 88 km from Coimbatore airport. Coimbatore airport is the nearest airport to Ooty, which is connected to major cities in India by domestic flights. There are also some international flights that operate from Coimbatore airport to destinations such as Singapore, Dubai, Colombo, etc.
The flight fare varies depending on the destination and the airline. From Coimbatore airport, one can take a taxi or a bus to Ooty Botanical Garden. The taxi fare is around Rs. 2000 per trip. The bus fare is around Rs. 100 per person.
Ooty Botanical Garden is open from 7 am to 6 pm every day. The entrance fee is Rs. 30 for adults and Rs. 15 for children. The camera fee is Rs. 50 for still cameras and Rs. 100 for video cameras.
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Ooty Botanical Garden is a splendid floral paradise in Tamil Nadu that offers a refreshing and relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Ooty Botanical Garden is a stunning attraction that will enchant you with its charm and wonder. Ooty Botanical Garden is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the senses. Ooty Botanical Garden is a memorable experience that will leave you spellbound and amazed.
If you are planning to visit Ooty, you should definitely include Ooty Botanical Garden in your itinerary. You will not regret it. You will love it.
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