Kotagiri- Offbeat spot of Tamilnadu

Being a part of Nilgiri hills, snuggled between Nilgiri ranges popular for sprawling coffee and tea plantations, Kotagiri is wild but pristine for nature and adventure lovers. Located in the state of Tamilnadu at an elevation of 2000m high, this hills are the homes of Kota tribe. Being a pioneer of Dravidian linguistics they have adopted, Tamil style of living. History says this tribe migrated centuries ago from Kerala.

This hill station was found by two English officers in 1819, who explored and laid roads up the hill station that it was known as Kolircherry, then John Sullivan who discovered Ooty constructed a house in Kotagiri and introduced horticulture. If you are a tea lover you should visit to have glimpses of tea estate, also taste variety cups of tea.

PLACES TO SEE- Longwood shola is full of wilderness, evergreen forest while, Catherine falls is a secluded falls from waters of Kallar river. There is a memorial for John Sullivan, while Rangaswami peak is a holy hill devoted to Lord Vishnu who is called as Lord Ramaswamy here. Elk falls, Moyar river, Kodanad view, Atal hamlet and Doddabetta ranges are places around.

WHAT TO EAT- You would find more of Tamilnadu cuisine filled with South Indian delicacy, where elaichi, ginger tea are popular to taste. For non veg lovers don’t forget to bite piping hot mutton seekhi, chicken tikka, Reshmi and double rolls.

FOR ADVENTURE LOVERS- You should dive in Thirumurthy dam, try jet skiing, tightrope climbing and trekking. Zip lining is popular here which is coupled with sky cycling in many spots.

BEST TIME TO VISIT- Though winters are ideal time to visit, summers don’t circulate much of heat.

REACHING - From Coimbatore airport 47kms away is Kotagiri. The highways and Ghat sections have mesmerising views, that Coonoor is the nearest station. In Kotagiri, there are local buses and cabs to commute.

MY VISIT- When I was in my 8th standard as a school excursion from Chennai by bus we reached Kotagiri. The blue mountains with green patches showed different views of this hill station in the mornings. Night we would campfire, and hog hot hot idlys and vada. On return we halted at Coimbatore and got back to Chennai.

Packed with European style houses, filled with abundant greenery, Kotagiri is one of the oldest part of Nilgiris hills unexplored, unseen beauty of nature, which is mainly for nature lovers besides being a rejuvenating weekend spot.