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Fairs and Festivals
Summer Festival in the Nilgiris – A Collage of Heart-warming Activities
Stunning tropical beauty of the Western Ghats turns even more fascinating with exquisite magnificence of nature spreading over the Nilgiri Mountains. Arrival of May means incredible excitement in the air as it is the time for the outstanding celebrations of Summer Festival. Celebrated hill stations of Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri in Tamil Nadu are the perfect hosts with their numerous venues participating in almost a month-long festival.
Popular Venues and Shows
· Rose Show: Hundreds of rose varieties bloom at the Government Rose Garden Ooty, creating gorgeous sceneries all around. Another unique highlight is the rangolis (patterns) created using rose petals.
· Flower Show: Ooty’s famous Botanical Garden is adorned with over 150 varieties of flowers, attracting thousands of attendees during the show.
· Fruit Show: Sim’s Park of Coonoor is the well-known host of two-day long fruit show. Huge varieties of locally cultivated fruits are on display, adding assorted colours, aromas and flavours to the festival.
· Vegetable Show: Kotagiri’s Nehru Park organizes the vegetable show with India’s map laid out using colourful capsicums being a major highlight.
· Spice Show: South India is admired for its spice cultivation and the event at St. Thomas Higher Senior Secondary School is used for displaying the spice wealth of the region.
Other activities include dog show (at Government Arts College Ooty), boat race (at Ooty Lake), hot air ballooning, vintage car rally and eco-trekking and cultural programmes at Ooty’s Breeks HADP stadium.
Visitors’ Information
Dates: No fixed dates announced for Summer Festival 2014; expected to be held after the completion of General Election on May 16.
How to Reach: Ooty is well-connected by scenic hill roads to the major destinations of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The closest railhead is at Mettupalayam (about 50 km. away), while the nearest airport is at Coimbatore (about 95 km. away). Coonoor and Kotagiri are respectively about 20 km. and 32 km. from Ooty.
Accommodations: Resorts, cottages, budget to luxury hotels, bed & breakfast and inns.
Tickets: Tickets for various events can be purchased right at the respective venues. Be sure to reach the venue in advance to avoid queues. Ask your tour operator or hotel to help in ticket booking.
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