Information on Coonoor | About Coonoor

Coonoor's weather

Coonoor has a salubrious weather all throughout the year. The temperature at Coonoor during Climate has a max temperature of 27°C and a minimum temperature of 12°C. During winter the max temperature is 22°C and the Min. temperature is around 7°C. The annual rainfall at Coonoor is estimated to be 121cms with the season normally starting around November and extended until February. For those who love to visit Coonoor at other times can also make a visit after witnessing the annual Ooty Flower Show.

Languages spoken & Clothing at Coonoor

The languages spoken widely at Coonoor include Badaga, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and English. People in Coonoor commonly wear Heavy Woollen in winter and Light Woollen in summer.

Coonoor Annual Fruit & Vegetable Show

The hills in Coonoor are amongst the more picturesque spots in Tamil Nadu, and as a result pull a high amount of tourists during the scorching Indian summer months. The infrastructure of the Coonoor Town founds itself in a fix to mange the high rate of tourist inflow, and is a much chaotic affair when the local horticultural society organises its annual "Coonoor Fruit & Vegetable Show" at the pinnacle of the tourist season normally hosted at Sim's Park.

Unfortunately, "Development" has consumed the town and hillsides are fast disappearing due to vigorous construction activity. Most of the routes that were once serene walks amongst lush greenery have turned out to be walks amid bustling human settlements. The hill station has now transformed itself into a town.

How to travel to Coonoor

By Road

You can reach Connor by road to Mettupalayam and travel down the road leading to Ooty. It is one of the major Nilgiri Ghat Roads and is a main route of access for Coonoor. Another major road that connects Coonoor to Kotagiri is via Bettati Tollgate and Bandishola and then this road links to State Highway 15 (traveling from Ooty to Kotagiri). You can also find several other minor roads via Coonoor leading to several Nilgiri Tea estates.

Local Transports at Coonoor

You can find local transport anywhere easily at Coonoor including Call Taxi Auto, City Bus and Taxi.

By Air

Coimbatore is the closest airport that is located at a distance of nearly 80 km away by road in Coimbatore (IATA code CJB). Coimbatore acts a focal point of accessibilty to numerous national destinations as well as having a few international routes to Singapore, Sharjah and Colombo.

By Rail

Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is considered as one of the oldest hill station railways in India. It was announced by the UNESCO in July 2005 as a World Heritage Site. This railway connects Coonoor to Mettupalayam at the foot hills. The Niligiri Passenger train offers a most soothing toy train drive to the Nilgiri Express train to Chennai through Coimbatore.

Brief History of Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Thanks to the brave efforts of Rao Bahadhur Bellie Gowder who hailed from the Village of Hubbathalai and who was a Badaga and the local community leader at that time of constructing the mountain railways from Mettupalayam to Ooty. He was conferred the title of "Rao Sahib" and "Rao Bahadhur" rightly from the British Raj. From the underside of the hill up to Nilgiris it is only by the Mountain Railway and the Cog Wheel till you reach Coonoor. You are pretty sure to get a feel like reading through the pages of Grimm's Fairy Tales. This fabulous world heritige mountain railway serves as a testimony to the rich and diverse heritage of Coonoor even today.

Railway Hill stations at Coonoor

The train covers a distance of 46 km to Udhagamandalam in 4 hours 30 minutes. There are 5 stations between Coonoor and Mettupalayam namely Adderley, Kallar, Runnymede, Hill Grove and Kateri and remember there were five stations in between Coonoor and Ooty too. Although Aruvakadu, Ketti and Lovedale are still in function, Fern Hill, the last station was closed a few years back.

Wide rice fields encircle the 7 km stretch between Kallar and Mettupalayam. Soon after this you can find an alluring 21 km area through a rocky terrain. The track crosses over 26 viaducts and swirls and bends via13 tunnels. After a steep climb, the train makes an entry to Coonoor. From here on, you could find that the track is uphill until you get to Fern Hill that is locate at an altitude of 2,218m, the pinnacle on the railroad. Shortly before you reach Ooty, the line slides downhill. If you like taking picture snaps, then set up your camera ready to prove your photography prowess of the viaduct between Adderley and Kallar.

This ride is sure to turn the toughest rail critic into an ardent fan as he will just take delight in the edge-of-the-seat swirls and twists as the train traverses tall grider bridges, and moves over green hills before gently rambling through rolling tea estates. The exhaust rhythm of the train never wanes, holding a loud staccato which is quite audible for miles around. Certainly, a journey one of its kind to remember for years to come.

Train Timings to Coonor

Before you make up your mind to travel to Coonoor, it is vital that you know about the various train timings at Coimbatore and train timing at Mettuplayam in detail as that would save your valuable time in your last minute preparation.

Places to visit at Coonoor

Coonoor Sim's Park

Do not miss out on the Coonoor Sim's Park, a must see for all tourists to Coonoor. Spread across a 12-hectare park, it is the best things that Coonoor offers for tourists. Abound with 1,000 plant species including pines, magnolia, camellia and tree ferns, you can afford to stroll along the exotic tea gardens of Ooty. This remarkable park-cum-botanical garden was constructed around the natural contours of the land more than a century ago. Ethnic trees, creepers, shrubs and co-habit with many atypical species of foliage were brought in from several parts of the world.

Queensland marry pine, an ornamental tree and Rudraksha-the bead tree and are amongst the many captivating sights in this park. Botanical Garden & Sim's parks house some of the largest repository of temperate plants in our country and an important research destination for budding Botanists.

It is located at a distance of about 19km to the south of Ooty and is reachable by both road and train. You can visit the Sim's park from 9:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m by paying a nominal entry fee at the entrance.

The Pasteur Institute

Do not miss out to visit Pasteur Institute that is roughly a century year old, renowned for its ground breaking scientific research work on polio and rabies also known as hydrophobia after you visit Sim's Park because it is opposite Sim's Park. Do remember that it is open to public only on Saturdays. Nevertheless, on all other days, you can visit The Pasteur Institute by getting prior permission from the Director of the Institute.

Droog Fort

Droog fort is situated nearly15 km from Coonoor. Historically, once made use of by the Mysore Ruler Tipu Sultan as a station, it is also know as Bakasura Malai, as it carries a mythological relationship with the local demon known as Bakasura. Sadly, today you can get to witness only a single wall of the fort being its lone survived. However, the fort provides you a remarkable view as it is located about 6000 ft above the steep plains.

Lamb's Rock

Lamb's rock is located about 8 km from the town of Coonoor. It offers you a panoramic view of the sizzling Coimbatore plains.

Pomological Station

Spend some time in visiting this institute that serves as a research centre of the State Agricultural Department for pomegranates, persimmon and apricots.

Dolphin's Nose

Dolphin's Nose is nearly 12 kms from Coonoor bus stand located near Tiger Hills. It is unique rock of stupendous proportions. It has got its name because it is jutting out of the face of hill side during the formation. You can have can excellent view and quite worthy to make a visit

On the left and right you can witness great ravines and on one side you can have an excellent view of St. Catherine's Falls with their stream flowing several thousand metres below, while on the other, the well-known Coonoor stream kisses the stream from Kotagiri. They together make a grnd tribute to Bhavani river. In fact, you are just metres away from the Nose opposite to it and bifurcated in between by the deep valley that is covered with the pretty greenary and cloud of tree tops.

Law's Falls

The Law's falls is christened after Col. Law who constructed the new Coonoor ghat. It is a beautiful cascade on the Coonoor river close to its junction with the Mettupalayam ghat road. The falls is approximately 5 kms below Coonoor at the junction of Coonoor & Kateri rivers on the Coonoor, Mettupalayam road. It is one of the most gorgeous places in Coonoor and captivates many visitors. The Law's falls is a heaven for naturalist and rocky and wild.

Laddy Canning's Seat

Laddy Canning's Seat is approximately 8 Kms. from Coonoor bus stand and further down the same road leading to Lamb's Rock. It is perhaps the most beautiful point in the heart of the forest. Lady Canning, wife of the Viceroy was so fond of this spot that it commands a spectacular view of the many tea estates around the place. The Droog, Lamb's Rock and the Lampton's Peak - they all could be winessed one over another other and even Mettupalayam is viewable at a distance from this very place.

Masinagudi

Masinagudi is about 18 kms from Coonoor and 35 kms from Ooty. The drive beyond Masinagudi comprise 35 hairpin bends and driving though these hairpin bends are always a pleasure and sometimes an adventurous journey too as you have to be on alert as vehicles come tearing down from the other side. Masinagudi is traditionally an abode for elephants. Therefore don't be too startled if you get to witness some wild tuskers along the road. Besides, the picturesque beauty of the road and the drive through Masinagudi can leave an indelible impression on your minds.

The road between Ooty and Coonoor is quite packed with hills and forests looming in the distance. Add to that, blind turns and you have to be very wary while swirling your cars and vehicles around the corners. There are quite a number of amazing treks in the area of Masinagudi. For enjoying some sort of refreshments, there are a number of little tea and coffee shops at Masinagudi which you could make use of.

STD/ISD Codes for Coonoor

Here are the STD/ISD Codes for Coonoor from India & abroad Dialing from India - 0423 (number) Dialing from abroad - +91-423 (number)

Banks at Coonoor

Here are some of the nationalised banks that you find at Coonoor with their phone numbers (in brackets) for your quick reference including State Bank of India (2231133), Canara Bank (2231116), Indian Bank (2230330), Bank of Baroda (2231721), Central Bank of India (2230282), Vijaya Bank (2230548), Syndicate Bank (2230873), State Bank of Travancore (2230934), Uco Bank (2231689), Corporation Bank (2230580), Union Bank India (2230391), Bank of India (2233448) & United Bank of India (2231673).

Hospitals at Coonoor

Here are some of the hospitals that you could find at Coonoor with their contact numbers (in brackets) for your handy reference including Govt.Lawely Hospital at Mount Road, Coonoor (2231050, 2230500), Sagayamatha Hospital at Mount Road, Coonoor (2231919), Nankem Hospital (2231550) and Emanuel Eye Hospital (2230244).

You may also be interested in reading:

Guide to select Hotels & Resorts in Coonoor

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