Kotagiri: Discover A Small Hill Station In Tamil Nadu!

Kotagiri is a hilly town in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Concerning the sector of tourism, this particular city has got a lot to offer. Kota tribes form the majority of inhabitants of the region. When the name of the place gets translated into English, we get the meaning as the “mountain of the Kotas”.

During the earlier days, Kotagiri was also known in the pronunciation variants such as “Kotakeri” or “Kotagherry”. The valleys of the town of Kotagiri are quite picturesque and perfect to indulge in for a nature lover.

If you are looking for something pleasing and calming on the lap of mother nature, Kotagiri can be your favourite vacation destination in the southern part of the Indian territory. It is also significant when it comes to the political aspect since Madras Presidency used to make it their summer resort destination on account of the cool weather of the hilly side. 

Best Places To Visit In Kotagiri

Longwood Shola 

This is a forest region coming under the National Reserved Forest category in the town. Even though it is a forest region, you can easily access the location of the forest since it is geographically situated in the heart of the town itself. This is one of the Best Places To Visit In Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu.

This rich and green forest also caters to the domestic and commercial water requirements of the people living in the town. Karibetta is the exact location of the forest in the town of Kotagiri.

According to the records, this particular forest falls under the category of primaeval forests of the Nilgiri Mountain Ranges. While exploring this forest, you may come across a lot of exotic species and organisms specific to the region. 

Elk Falls

This is a beautiful waterfalls destination you can explore in the town of Kotagiri. You may need to travel a distance of around 7 km in order to reach the destination of the falls. Uyilathi Village is the region in which these particular falls are situated in the territory of Kotagiri.

If you are planning for a peaceful nature getaway, this would be the perfect option to add to your Kotagiri itinerary. The surroundings of the waterfall are quite scenic and you can soak yourself in the magnificence and attractiveness of the same.

Apart from the natural beauty, there is also an opportunity to explore the colonial cultural side of the town of Kotagiri by exploring these falls. A European house adorned with refined British architecture found near the falls is worthwhile to explore in all senses. Monsoons are the best time to visit these falls in the town since you will get a scenic picture of Kookal Valley during this time. 

Rangasamy Hill

Unlike the other hills and peaks found in the territory of the city of Kotagiri, this hill is not just about its natural picturesqueness and richness. It has also got some sacred features attracting believers to the location of the hill.

You can also explore the hill regardless of being a believer or not. Exploring the patterns and cultures of worshipping the people of Kotagiri would be a great thing to do while touring the town.

There is a shrine situated on top of this particular hill and Lord Rangasamy is the main deity worshipped here. From the town centre of Kotagiri, you may need to travel a distance of around 20 km if you would like to hit this hill’s destination. 

Catherine Falls

Tourism is the most prominent and crowded in this particular waterfalls destination in the town of Kotagiri. You need to travel through the Mettupalayam road in order to spot the location of this particular waterfall.

Considering all the other waterfalls in the Nilgiris, it is the second highest and this itself adds to its significance in tourism. Kallar River is the source of this particular waterfall in the town. The view of this waterfall from several viewpoints in the city is also amazing.

The name of this waterfall in the town of Kotagiri is derived from the name of the wife of a British man named, M.D Cockburn. He was the man who brought coffee to the town of Kotagiri and introduced it to the natives to start cultivation and set up plantations. 

Kodanad Viewpoint 

If you are a lover of majestic views, the Kodanad viewpoint in the town of Kotagiri should be a must-visit destination on your trip. From the town centre of Kotagiri, this particular viewpoint is situated at a distance of 18 km.

There are time schedules set specifically for the visitors to access the viewpoint. According to some of the credible sources, 9 in the morning is the opening time of the viewpoint and 6 in the evening is set as the closing time.

So if you would like to indulge in the spectacular views of the region, make sure to plan the trip accordingly. You can click a lot of amazing landscapes by visiting this viewpoint in the town. If you are visiting on a clear sunny day, the views would be clearer and more beautiful. Hence select your day of visit according to the seasons as well. 

John Sullivan Memorial

Unlike all the other nature destinations you can visit in the territory of the town of Kotagiri, this is a heritage and historical location. It is a museum you can visit while touring the town and you can have a comprehensive knowledge about the culture, heritage, and history of the region by visiting the same.

5 in the evening is the closing time of the museum hence make sure you hit the location beforehand. The pictures and paintings available in this museum would enlighten you about the tribal culture of Kotas prominent in the region.

There are also a vast collection of books discussing the same. If you are a history enthusiast, this would be an inevitable destination in your Kotagiri vacation. The management and maintenance of the museum are also worth appreciating. 

Best Time To Visit Kotagiri

December – May 

How To Reach Kotagiri?

Nearest airport: Coimbatore Airport 

Nearest railway station: Coimbatore Junction Railway Station (CBE)

Conclusion 

Mountain lovers and heritage enthusiasts would find this vacation delightful and satisfying. 

Read More:

Explore Land Of Black Hills, Krishnagiri: Top 10 Spots!

Yelagiri: The Perfect Destination For A Weekend Break!