EAT

SOUTH INDIAN

SHREE ANANDHAAS

l Lakshmi Mill Junction Tel: 87540-97777 l Avinashi Road, Opp KMCH Tel: 98943-76666 l Sundarapuram Tel: 98941-83333 l Vadavalli Tel: 98947-76666 l RS Puram Tel: 98943-83333 l Near Gandhipuram Signal Tel: 98943-23333 l Brook Fields Food Court Tel: 82207-61144 l Sri Krishna Engg College Tel: 98940-29888 l Ram Nagar Tel: 96007-04444, 6am-9pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 180.

HOTEL JUNIOR KUPPANNA

l Raja Street, Townhall; Tel: 221-0671, 11.30am-9pm. l Nava India; Tel: 434-6999, 11.30am-9pm. l Civil Aerodrome Post; Tel: 498-0005, 11.30am-9pm. l Sarojini Street, Ramnagar;Tel: 223-5771, 11.30am-9pm. l Trichy Road, Ramanathapuram; Tel: 99408-22444, 11.30am-9pm.

KONGU MASALA

8/1 L, Race Course Mansion, Race Course, Near Thomas Park Bus Stop; Tel: 94431 31010, 12pm-4pm & 7-10.30pm.Avg meal for two, Rs 400.

HOTEL SRI SURYA

874, Ramanathapuram, Trichy Road Tel: 420-4440, 12pm-10pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 600.

KOVAI CHICKEN MAGIC

308, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 439-7540, 95786-07770, 11am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 150.

COURTALLAM BORDER RAHMATH KADAI

74, Race Course; Tel: 420-3777, 11.30am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

RUCCHI

18/86, East Arockiaswamy Road, RS Puram; Tel: 497-5974, 11.30am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 150.

KULAMBU KADAI

122, Subramaniam Road, RS Puram; Tel: 95855-44779, 3.30pm-8.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 200.

WOODLAND

Park Inn, 37, Geetha Hall Road Tel: 230-1283 7am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 180.

SREE ANNAPOORNA SREE GOWRISHANKAR

l 418, Mettupalayam Road Tel: 439-2116 l 14 Cross Cut Road, Gandhipuram Tel: 437-7618 l 89, Hope College, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 439-7226 l 699/700 TK Market Opp, Raja Street Tel: 435-5810 l 26 A, Arts College Road Tel: 221-5102 l Bharathy Nagar, Ganapathy Tel: 421-0128 l KMCH; Tel: 420-2024 l People’s Park; Tel: 439-2119. 10pm-9pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 200-230.

HOTEL ARRUNACHALA

1338, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 256-6555, 11.30am-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 260.

HOTEL RHR

l 27, RHR Buildings, State Bank Road Tel: 230-2736, 439-1391 l 1934, Trichy Road, Ramanathapuram Tel: 439-5736 l Royal Theatre Entrance Town HallTel: 436-2736, 5.30am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 190.

VALARMATHI

207/A, CSI Compound, Race Course Tel: 427-1190, 98434-11190, 6pm-9.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 600.

THE VILLAGE

61, RR Layout, RS Puram, Tel: 98422-46111, 11am-3pm & 7pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs.300.

PANNAIYAR BRIYANI

7, Valluvar Nagar, Peelamedu; Tel: 8668092492, 11am-2am, Avg meal for two, Rs 300.

NORTH INDIAN

THE GREAT KABAB FACTORY

Radisson Blu , 164-165, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel:222-6000 , 6.30am-11pm. One can experience mouth-watering kababs prepared in seven different styles, roasted on the tandoor or on a singhri, shallow-fried in a tawa or a mahi tawa, deep-fried in a kadhai, steamed in pots or even grilled on a stone. Avg meal for two Rs 1580++

PEACOCK

Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road, Neelambur Tel: 236-4343, A rich diversity of authentic Indian cuisine flavoured with spices and condiments from across the country. Offering exclusivity to guests with two private dining rooms. Avg meal for two, Rs 1500-2000.

TANDOORI TONIGHT

490, 1st Floor, Avinashi Main Road, Nava India Tel: 495-9490. 12.30pm-4pm; 6.30pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 600.

YARI

•369, Bharathi Park 6th Cross, Saibaba Colony’; Tel: 96554-12121, 12noon-10pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 400.

THE PUNJAB EXPRESS

249, 1st Floor, TV Swamy Road East, RS Puram; Tel: 96543-07604, 12.30pm-10.30pm

FAST FOOD

BURGER KING

Krishnaswamy Road, Brooke Fields, 3rd Floor; Tel: 435-1599, 10.30am-9pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 200.

GOLI VADA PAV

13, Megricar Road West, RS Puram; Tel: 98948-80512, 10.30am-9pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 150.

MULTI-CUISINE

LATEST RECIPE

Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road, Neelambur Tel: 236-4343. Vibrant 7am-8pm dining, with world cuisine buffet and live stations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also signature a la carte dishes. Large and lavish Sunday brunch. Avg meal for two, Rs 2200..

DOT.YUM

Aloft Coimbatore, 483, Kamaraj Road, Upplipalayam Tel: 665-6000, 7am-8pm. All-day dining restaurant serving buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Avg meal for two, Rs 1200

GARDEN OF TASTE

30, Valluvar Nagar, Hope College; Tel: 63740-22312, 9am-10pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 200.

INDCHICOO

Poppys Tower, Race Course; Tel: 434-6644, 96007-99881 6.30pm-8.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1600. Global Cuisines, Alfresco dining at the Rooftop and live western music at dinner. Avg meal for two, Rs 1600.

SAFFRON

Poppys Tower, Kumaran Road, Tirupur; Tel: 0421- 220-2752, 12noon-3pm & 7.30pm11pm, All in One Offers for All Occasions. Ample car parking. Avg meal for two, Rs 800.

SMS HOTEL

1335, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 9944988090, 12noon-3pm & 7pm-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 300-1000.

LALLKUDI

262 & 263, Cross Cut Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 434-9235, 94437-30244, 11am-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 600.

CITY HEIGHTS

Rooftop, SBS Grand, 58 DJ Nagar, Masakalipalayam Road, Hope College Tel: 433-4447, 6pm-12am. Avg meal for two, Rs 800.

BARBEQUE NATION

Metro Park Inn, 1000, Raja Street, 6th Floor, Town Hall Tel: 96545-86060, 89398-78487, 6pm-8pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1600.

PAVILION

The Residency Towers, 1076, Avinashi Road; Tel: 224-1414, 7am-11pm. Serving global cuisine, offering and elaborate buffet for breakfast, lunch, dinner. A la carte option is also available. Sunday brunch 12.30pm-4pm.

WELCOMCAFE KOVAI

WelcomHotel Coimbatore, 1266/14,West Club Road, Race Course Tel: 222-6555. 7am-11pm. This colourful dining destination reflects the vibrancy of the textile city that is Coimbatore. It serves a sumptuous buffet and a la carte options that includes local flavours and favourites from across the world.Avg meal for two, Rs 1500.

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Vivanta - COIMBATORE , 105, Race Course Road, Gopalapuram Tel: 668-1000, 7pm-11pm. An exotic grill and barbeque fine dining restaurant in al fresco setting, with lip-smacking delicacies grilled to perfection. Avg cost for two, Rs 2500+.

SEASONS

Radission Blu, 164-165, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel:222-6000. 12noon-3.30pm & 7pm-10pm. All day dining serves Global cuisine Buffet Breakfast ,lunch and dinner. Exotic Picnic Sunday brunch. Avg meal for two Rs.1200 ++

LATITUDE

Vivanta - COIMBATORE , 105, Race Course Road, Gopalapuram Tel: 668-1000, 7am-11.30pm. Stylish, yet informal, all-day diner with Continental, Indian and South Indian. Indoor or al fresco seating in lively ambience of easy charm and classic comfort of Indian and international cuisines. Avg cost for two, Rs 2000++

ANNALAKSHMI RESTAURANT

3rd Floor, Pazhamudir Nilayam Building, 41, Govt Arts College Road; Tel: 230-2142, 420-4213, 12noon-3.30pm & 6.30pm-9.30pm. State of art kitchen and banquet. High standards, Quality, Hygiene. Annalakshmi unique cuisine also at Chennai, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. Avg meal for two, Rs 750.

EDELWEISS RESTAURANT & LAWN

Poppys vista, Avinashi Road, Tirupur; Tel: 04296-304-300, 272-101, 7am- 11.30pm. All day dining restaurant and lawn with Children’s play area serving excellent International and local cuisines at great value. Ample parking available. Avg meal for two, Rs 1000.

24/7 BYTES

Gokulam Park, 116/2, Avinashi Road, Mylampatti, Chinnayampalayam Post Tel: 262-6030. : 7am-10.30am & 12.30pm-3pm & 7pm-11pm.Avg meal for two Rs 850.

TIFFINYS

Hotel Alankar Grande, 10, Ram Nagar Tel: 437-8888, 11am-8pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 800.

DINDUGAL TIME PASS RESTAURANT

212, TV Samy Road East, RS Puram; Tel: 9686612009, 11am-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

CREAM CENTRE

180, TS Road, Race Course Tel: 434-8889, 98430-48091, 10.30pm to 9pm. Sat & Sun 10.30pm to 9pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1000.

NARMADA

Sree Annapoorna Hotels, 75, East Arokiasamy Road, RS Puram Tel: 254-7722, 11.30am-3.30pm & 7pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 450.

GARDEN COUNTRY

Hotel Grand Tree, 65, Lajapathirai Street, Ramnagar; Te: 421-7121, 83005-20103, 8am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 700.

GOLDEN CROP

Hotel CAG Pride, 312, Bharathiar Road Tel: 431-7777, 12pm-3pm & 7.30pm10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

BAZAAR

Zone by The Park, 33/3, Near Lakshmi Mills Avinashi Road Tel: 400-5000. 24 hours. Avg meal for two, Rs 1200.

PALMS

Hotel Rathna Residency, 355, Variety Hall Road Tel: 422-5666,6pm-8pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 850.

PEPPER BELLS

Svarga Residency, 85, 1A Arun Nagar, Maruthamalai Main Road, Vadavalli Tel: 242-6655, 242-7677. 6am-10am, 12noon3pm & 7pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

HONEY DEW

Hotel Chenthur Park, 10/1-9 Avinashi Road, Near Coimbatore Airport, SITRA Tel: 427-9111/ 333. 12noon-8pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 550.

TIFFANYS

54, Nehru Stadium Tel: 422-0888, 7708035888, 11am-8pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 250.

AJANTHA

Mesabel Hotel, 24, Grey Town Tel: 238-0216, 7am-4pm & 7pm-10pm.

ORCHID

Park Plaza, 90/62, Geetha Hall Road Tel: 436-4646, 7am-10.30am, 12-3pm, 7pm –10 pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 300.

PARUVAA

Heritage Inn, 73, Sivasamy Road, Ramanagar Tel: 223-1451, 7am-10.30am, 12.30pm-3pm & 7pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 950.

ROBOT THEME RESTAURANT

1078, 1st Floor, Senthil Towers, Avinashi Road; Tel: 89396-66464, 12 noon-11pm.

DINE AND WINE

Grand Plaza, 58B, Railway Station, Geetha Hall Road Tel: 230-1111, 7am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

ON THE GO

167, Race Course Road Tel: 452-0116/7 12.30pm-3pm. 7pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 800.

HARI BHAVANAM

l2, Bharathi Colony, Peelamedu Tel: 439-8122, 11.30am-10.30pm, l4th Street, Gandhipuram Tel: 98943-71111, 12noon-10.30pm.lRTO Office Tel: 98947-01300, 11.30am-10.30pm,. lGoldwins Tel: 90801-80000, 11.30am10.30pm lProzone Mall Tel: 77089-10005, 11.30am-10.30pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 300.

FOUR CUPS FUSION VEG DINING

Fortune Suites, 1st Floor, Above Poppat Jamal, 134, East Periasamy Road, RS Puram; Tel: 77084-74764, 11am-11pm.

DEWZ

The Orbis Hotel, 1562 Avinashi Road, Hope College Tel: 439-9988, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7.30pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 700.

NORTH WEST FRONTIER

AFGHAN GRILL

The Residency Towers, 1076, Avinashi Road Tel: 224-1414, 7pm-12am Open-to-sky barbecue evening restaurant by the poolside. Open only for dinner in a romantic setting. Avg meal for two, Rs 2600

THAT’S Y FOOD

24/49, TV Swamy (East), RS Puram Tel: 4365117/8, 12noon-9.45pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 800.

CONTINENTAL

THE FRENCH DOOR

102, West Bhashyakaralu Road, RS Puram; Tel: 254-8400, 12noon-8pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1500++

LEIDEN RESTAURANT

1433-A, Annai Illam, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 98949-93197, 12noon-9pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 400.

BIRD ON TREE

28, Opposite circuit House,Kamaraj Road, Race Course; Tel: 98658-31000, 11.30am-10.30pm, 12noon-3pm & 6pm-9pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1000.

CHETTINAD

BUFFET THE RESTAURANT

369 A, Inside Blue Star Hotel, Nehru Street, Ramnagar Tel: 223-0635, 7.30am-10.30am, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7pm-10pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

PATTUKOTTAI MESS

48, TV Swamy Road West, R.S. Puram; Tel: 87606-77774, 12noon-4pm & 7.30-9pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

PARAMBARIYAM

Sree Daksha’s Sanshray, Thondamuthur Road, Vadavalli; Tel: 297-1260, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7.30pm-10.30pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

ANJAPPAR CHETTINAD RESTAURANT

356, Bharathiar Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 2524441, 11am-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 700.

ITALIAN

FAVOLA

Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road, Neelambur; Tel: 236-4343, 7am-8pm. The authentic taste of Italy. Rustic interiors overlooking the pool. Stone fire oven pizzas, antipasti, pasta, salads, seafood, poultry, red meats, desserts and international wines. Avg meal for two, Rs 2200.

PIZZERIA

Bazaar, Zone by The Park, Avinashi Road; Tel: 400-5000, 11am-11pm. 10” thin crust wood fired pizzas made by the chef according to your wish of ingredients. Avg meal for two, Rs 800.

BOOM CAFE

54/37, Bharathi Park Road, Saibaba Colony; Tel: 73737 30715, 11am-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

PAN ASIAN

PONZU

Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road, Neelambur Tel: 236-4343, A variety of Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Mongolian cuisines with live cooking stations. Avg meal for two, Rs 1500.

WOKERIE

Bazaar, Zone by The Park, 33/3, Near Lakshmi Mills, Avinashi Road; Tel: 400-5000, open 24 hours. Avg meal for two, Rs 800+tax.

CHINESE

RED PEARL

Vivanta - COIMBATORE , 105, Race Course Road, Gopalapuram; Tel: 668-1000, 12.30pm-3pm & 7.30pm-11.30pm. China on a plate. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Coimbatore, serving the most authentic and exotic Oriental dishes. The best contemporary Chinese cuisine in a modern yet traditional setting. Avg meal for two, Rs 2500+.

CHIN CHIN

The Residency Towers, 1076, Avinashi Road Tel: 224-1414, 12.30pm3pm & 7.30pm-11.30pm. The best Chinese cuisine in town. Chef’s signature dishes like Drums of Heaven, Honey Chilly Lotus stem, Dimsums and Fried Ice Cream. Private dining room can seat 16 people. Avg meal for two, Rs 1750.

NINHAO

276B, NSR Road, Saibaba Colony; Tel: 244-5652, 10.30am-3.30pm & 6.30pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 700

CHINA VALLEY

1197, Trichy Road, Ramanathapuram Tel: 230-3279, 11am-3.30pm & 6pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 800

THE CASCADE

l 479 – B1 , Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 256-8888 l DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 435-8888, 12.30–3pm & 7pm–11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1200,

CAFÉS

SHIVANJALI CAFÉ

3, New Thillai Nagar, Maruthamalai Road, PN Pudur; Tel: 243-5572, 3pm–9.30pm, closed on Mondays. Avg meal for two, Rs 200

CAFÉ TOTARAM

245/1, Raheja Apartment, Race Course; Tel: 436-4116/7, 12noon-10pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 600.

THE HOT CHOCOLATE

1, Grand Cag Central, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 495-3555, 10am-8pm. Avg cost for two, Rs 400.

KITES CAFÉ

267, BR Puram, Avinashi Road, Tel: 93665-00123, 11am–11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 450

CITRUS CAFÉ

173/3 & 174/4, Sri Rangalu Naidu Farms, Vilankurichi Road, Kalapatti; Tel: 220-5666, 88502-65565. 11am-8pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1300++

TEA HOUSE

CHAI N GUPSHUP

201, Sambantham Road (East), RS Puram; Tel: 436-9848, 9.30am-7.45pm.Avg cost for two, Rs 250.

STANES ICED TEA

Stanes Tea & Coffee Show Room, 1597, Trichy Road; Tel: 658-6426, 222-1513, 9am-6pm. Avg cost for two, Rs 40.

PARRIS TEA CORNER

9/23, Grey Town; Tel: 93448-55665, 9.30am-7.30pm. Avg cost for two, Rs 20.

BAKERS

KRAVE

The Residency Towers,1076, Avinashi Road; Tel: 224-1414, 11am–6am. The ultimate place to order cakes of your fantasy. Offers quick bites like samosa, sandwiches, rolls, mouth-watering chocolates and Gateaux. Bulk orders and eggless items undertaken too.

LONGITUDE 77

Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road; Tel: 236-4343.Filled with the rich aroma of freshly-brewed coffee and baked delights, with signature éclairs and panjamiratham (a south Indian fruit dessert).

TEA LOUNGE

Radission Blu , 164-165, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel:222-6000 , 10am – 9pm The right place to order rich cakes with choices, breads, exotic chocolates and nippy bites with mind refreshing tea and coffee.

CHOCKO CHOZA

l18-A, Perriyaswamy Road (East) RS Puram Tel: 436-9437 l4-479, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 436-9537, 9am-7pm.

SWEET SHOPS

MOONDRU KAMBAM NELLAI MUTHU VILAS SWEETS & BAKES

422A, Palakkad Main Road, Kuniamuthur; Tel: 72000-19129, 9am-10pm. • Gandhipark; Tel: 239-7548, 98422-61717 • Sivanandha Colony; Tel: 438-2266, 97870-19129 •Saibaba Colony; Tel: 495-3545, 96778-84695 • Vysial Street; Tel: 95853-81717. 8am-8pm. House of exclusive Indian sweets, savouries and snacks. Committed to best quality, professionalism, hygiene, service and reliability, with state of the art manufacturing, for complete trust and satisfaction of customers. praveenshah2010@yahoo.com, www.nellaimuthuvilas.in

ADYAR ANANDA BHAVAN

•313, Bharathiar Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 97915-40404, 8am-8pm. •Railway Station; Tel: 75500-31117, 8am-8pm.

BANAANAA SLICE

l Nanjundapuram; Tel: 433-2224, 9am-8pm. l Mullai Nagar, Maruthamalai Main Road, PN Pudur Tel: 422-1067 l Goldwins; Tel: 87549-8106 l 7Thennampalayam; Tel: 93631-02862, 10am-10pm.

RHR SWEETS

42, No 27, RHR building, RHR Hotel, State Bank Road; Tel: 230-2736, 439-1391, 6am-11pm

SRI KRISHNA SWEETS HOUSE

l 342, Raja Street Tel: 239-5330 l Ramanathapuram; Tel: 231-5747 l Govt Arts College Road; Tel: 221-0747 l Vadavalli; Tel: 242-2633 l Gandhipuram; Tel: 252-0870 l Kovaipudur; Tel: 260-7511. 9.30pm-7.30pm.

ICE CREAM PARLOURS

BON BON ICE CREAM

l 62, Nehru Stadium Road; Tel: 98421-12426 l DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 70108-12705 l Bharathy Nagar, Ganapathy; Tel: 86672-59207. 10am-9pm.

IBACO

l1392,Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 9894265830 lSaibaba Colony; Tel: 98401-43089 lRamanathapuram; Tel: 96884-44401, lBrookfield’s Mall;

SCENIC BEAUTY, COOL CLIMES, QUEEN OF THE HILLS

BOTANICAL GARDENS, PARKS, PLANTATIONS & MORE...

Lush green mountains and plantations abound in Ooty. Spread over 36 sq km, it’s 7350 feet above sea level. Vast plantations of eucalyptus, pine and wattle stretch between the few untouched meadows that remain of the pre-

British Ooty. It’s the perfect destination to get away from it all in the lap of nature’s bounty and serenity.

Here is where you can rewind, reboot, and restart your life every season. With temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, it’s the best summer retreat for anyone wanting to beat the summer heat. Sightsee, relax, chill…

LANDMARKS & MONUMENTS

COONOOR

At a slightly lower altitude (2000 metres), this is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri Hills and is a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year. The place is perfect for trekking and picnicking, with grassy spots and spectacular views. It is famous for bird watching and birds such as vultures, eagles, owls, bulbuls, thrushes, bablers, larks, cuckoos and robins.

KANDAL CROSS SHRINE

A Roman Catholic Shrine, this is considered the Jerusalem of the East. Catholics consider the shrine as the ‘Calvary of Tamil Nadu’. Special Novena Prayers and Holy Masses are offered every Friday. The annual feast is held on 3rd MAY.

NILGIRIS LIBRARY

It is a treasure trove of precious documents, biographies and old books, many of them rare volumes on travel and Ooty. The library was begun as a public reading room and later built up as it stands today, in 1868. Today, it is run by a private committee.

OOTY CLUB

This club offers entertainment as well as information. It has a collection of albums of yellowing photographs, newspaper clippings and hand-drawn cards, among other things. The club building was originally the mansion of Sir William Rumbold, a wealthy businessman from Hyderabad, who built it in the 1820s. Regal, imposing and exclusive, the club is still maintained as it was in British time. The club is for members and their guests only.

STONE HOUSE

This is the first bungalow to be built in town, which was the residence of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty and at that time, the collector of Coimbatore. The tribals gave it its name – ‘Kal Bangla’ meaning Stone House.

ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD

This Protestant Church was Ooty’s first Church. One of the few remaining examples of original Anglican architecture in Ooty, it’s a Gothic, castle like structure, reminiscent of English village Churches. Adjoining the church is an old English cemetery.

THE MUSEUM

Opened in NOVEMBER1989, this museum has a collection of objects unique to the district, including timber, insects, butterflies, rocks, wood carvings, Kurinji flower, stone sculptures, bronze works, models of Toda hut and coins.

PARKS & GARDENS

BOTANICAL GARDEN

The gardens were established in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweeddale and now maintained by the Agricultural Department of the Tamil Nadu government. From MAY-MAY, an Annual Flower Show is held by the Nilgiris Agro-Horticultural Society and the Dog Show of the South India Kennel Club. A few minutes’ climb up from the garden is Toda Mund – ‘Othak-kal-manthu’ (one stone village) – from which Ooty (Ootacamund) derived its name. Adjacent to the garden is Raj Bhavan used by governors when they are on tour.

OOTY LAKE

This small artificial lake was conceived in 1824 by John Sullivan as an irrigation tank. Hardly 4 sq. km in area, the lake is much frequented by picnickers. Row boats, paddle boats and motor boats are available for hire. The boat house also has a restaurant and a children’s garden.

CENTENARY ROSE GARDEN

This rose garden was established at Vijayanagaram in Ooty, covering four hectares in five terraces, to commemorate the centenary Flower Festival in NOVEMBER1995. It is situated on the lower slopes of the Elk Hill on the North-Western side, facing Ooty town. There are about 2150 varieties of roses in the Rose Garden, one of the largest such collections in India.

SIGHTSEEING

LAMB’S ROCK (8 KM)

A sheer precipice several hundred metres high, Lamb’s Rock is on a motorable road that leads to Lady Canning’s Seat (10 km), named after the wife of a British Viceroy. Dolphin’s Nose and the Droog are two other excellent heights, 10 and 15 km from Coonoor respectively to view the plains. They are also good picnic spots, with the former made attractive by a view of Catherine Falls and the latter by a still remaining ruins of an old fort built by Mysore ruler Tippu Sultan.

PASTEUR INSTITUTE

This Institute was established in 1907 to research rabies and treat victims of the disease. Among other projects undertaken by the institute ,the most note worthy is the manufacture of the polio vaccine.

SIM’S PARK

Founded by JD Sim, a Secretary to the Madras Government in the mid-19th century as an amusement park, it has now evolved into a botanical garden with well-laid out terraces with rare flowers and shrubs. It contains several species of trees and shrubs that cannot be grown in the colder climate of Ooty.

ARUVANKADU

The Cordite Factory of the Government of India, which supplies ammunition for the country’s defence purposes, is located here. It was started in 1904.

GUDALAR ( 50 KM FROM OOTY)

Located on the road leading to Mysore, Gudalur is the gateway to the Nilgiris from Kerala and Karnataka. The Mudumalai sanctuary is located around 16 km from here. The prime attractions are Frog Hill view point (14km) , Needle point rock view (12 km), Numbalkottah (8km), Nellakotta (15km), hanging bridge (14km), Nelliyalayam (20km) and Cherambadi (35km).

STANLEY PARK (3 KM)

A popular camping ground for scouts and guides, it has a rest house and protected water supply.

POMOLOGICAL STATION

This experimental fruit garden, one of the three in the Nilgiris, sprawls over 16 acres at a height of about 1,900 metres above sea level. It was established in 1920, along with the other stations at Burhar and Kullar on the Coonoor – Mettupalayam Ghat Road. These stations are maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticultural Department.

WELLINGTON (5 KM)

This British cantonment was developed in 1852. It has the country’s only Defence Services Staff College, an institution rich in Indian military, especially modern tradition. Wellington is also the headquarters of the Madras Regimental Centre of the Indian Army, which is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army.

ST CATHERINE FALLS (8 KM) AND ELK FALLS (7 KM)

are among the most beautiful cascades of the Nilgiris. From the Kodanad viewpoint (16 km), an all encompassing view of Coimbatore, Mysore, and Kerala can be seen, as well as the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris. The other major attractions here are the Rangaswamy pillar and peak: the former, a conical peak, 1,785 m high and considered sacred by the hill tribes of the plateau; the latter, an unusual isolated rock formation with precipitous sides.

SILKWORM REARING STATION

Adjoining the Pasteur Institute is this research establishment of the Central Silk Board. It also renders expert guidance and special assistance to young entrepreneurs and others who approach them for advice on silkworm rearing.

SAY CHEERS TO SPIRITED TIMES

Pubs, Lounge Bars, RestoBars...

Atypical Coimbatorean is as much at home with Mexican cuisine as he is with his rice-rasam. He is equally at ease in a ‘veshti’ (dhoti) from the pavement store as he is in an imported Armani suit. And so is the expatriate who has made the city his home. If you see a South Indian fast food joint sitting cheek by jowl with a hip Italian restaurant or a Reebok and HiDesign showroom sharing the same street with Himalaya Drug Co and Titan, you know it’s a city with a healthy blend of the East and West. The city’s accommodating nature is also one reason why there are so many watering holes in the city. Let your hair down and enjoy yourself with your group across town!