Can you imagine wearing a thin sweater and having no fans (forget air conditioners) in the month of April? When T.S. Eliot said, “April is the cruelest month,” he of course didn’t know about this splendid place surrounded by the Nilgiris and tea estates. Yes! We’re talking about Coonoor. A beauty nestled in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Coonoor has all that is needed to mesmerise the travellers with lush green Nilgiri hills, with its majestic waterfalls and valleys. Very close to Ooty, most people like to club the two when they visit this part of the world.
If you’re one of those sporty-adventurous sorts, trekking in the Nilgiris would be ideal. The trek up on the hills to the Lamb Rock, which is around 9 Kms from Coonoor is one of the most popular one. Once you reach the Lamb Rock after the trek, you’ll be smitten with how beautiful the Coimbatore plains look and a spectacular view of the tea estates and coffee plantations await. Just walk a little more and you’ll reach Lady Canning’s Seat, which provides a panoramic view of the Niligri Hills. Coonoor is a natural habitat for a variety of birds like the Robins, Cuckoos, Babblers, and Thrushes etc.
Dolphin’s Nose, which is 12 Kms from Coonoor is a must watch vista point. It’s a frequently visited spot and on good days, it provides some breath-taking views of the Nilgiris. At just 3 kms from Coonoor, is Wellington, a quaint little military town with barracks. It is also the headquarters of the Madras Regimental Centre. If you want to spend a day in the lap of nature and just soak in the verdant beauty, Wellington is the place to be. If you love the sound of gushing water and sight of waterfalls, then Law’s Falls is just 10 kms from Coonoor. Situated comfortably inside the Coonoor forest, it offers a magnificent and unperturbed view of nature and not be missed out.
Hustle the huddle away, sip on that hot cup of tea or coffee and just have a quiet barbeque around the bonfire and snuggle away to wintry nights in this ruthless summer. Now you know where to go…Coonoor beckons!
