Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is a popular hill station in Tamil Nadu, famous for its scenic beauty, pleasant climate, and colonial charm. But did you know that Ooty is also home to the largest rose garden in India, and one of the largest in the world? Yes, you read that right.
Ooty Rose Garden is a paradise of fragrance and beauty, with over 20,000 varieties of roses spread over 10 acres of land. If you are a nature lover, a flower enthusiast, or a photographer, you cannot afford to miss this amazing attraction when you visit Ooty. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Ooty Rose Garden, from entry fee and timings to features and attractions.
Features and Attractions
Ooty Rose Garden is not just a garden, but a museum of roses. It has over 20,000 varieties of roses, including some rare and exotic ones, such as green roses, black roses, blue roses, and rainbow roses. The roses are arranged in a terraced layout, with five sections or curves that resemble the petals of a rose. Each section has different types of roses, such as hybrid tea roses, floribunda roses, miniature roses, ramblers roses, and climbers roses.
You can walk along the pathways and admire the beauty and diversity of the roses, or sit on the benches and enjoy the fragrance and freshness of the flowers. You can also learn about the history and cultivation of roses from the informative boards and signages displayed in the garden.
Main attractions of Ooty Rose Garden
Flower Show: One of the main attractions of Ooty Rose Garden is the flower show that is held every year in May or June. The flower show is a grand affair that showcases thousands of roses of different colors, shapes, and sizes, along with other floral arrangements and exhibits. The flower show also features cultural programs, competitions, stalls, and games for the visitors.
The highlight of the flower show is the display of a giant rose that measures over 3 feet in diameter and weighs over 30 kg. The flower show is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the senses.
Viewpoint: Another attraction of Ooty Rose Garden is the viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of the garden and the surrounding hills. You can climb up to the viewpoint and capture some stunning photos of the garden and the scenery. You can also spot some birds and butterflies that frequent the garden.
Entry Fee and Timings
Entry Fee and Timing:
Ooty Rose Garden is open to the public throughout the year, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. The entry fee is very nominal, at Rs. 30 per person for adults and Rs. 15 per person for children.
You can also bring your camera or video camera for an additional charge of Rs. 50 and Rs. 100 respectively.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Ooty Rose Garden is between April and June, when the roses are in full bloom and the annual flower show is held. The flower show is a spectacular event that showcases thousands of roses of different colors, shapes, and sizes, along with other floral arrangements and exhibits.
How to Reach
Ooty Rose Garden is located at an altitude of 2200 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram area of Ooty. It is easily accessible by road or by train from Ooty town.
By road, you can take a bus or a taxi from Ooty bus stand or railway station to Vijayanagaram area, which is about 3 km away. From there, you can walk or take an auto rickshaw to reach the rose garden entrance.
By train, you can take the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) from Ooty railway station to Ketti railway station, which is about 4 km away from Vijayanagaram area. From there, you can walk or take an auto rickshaw to reach the rose garden entrance.
Nearby Places to Visit
Ooty Rose Garden is not only a destination in itself but also a gateway to many other attractions in Ooty. You can combine your visit to Ooty Rose Garden with some nearby places that are worth visiting:
Pine Forest: Pine Forest is a scenic spot that offers a view of pine trees surrounded by mountains and valleys. It is also a popular location for shooting movies and songs.
Pykara Lake: Pykara Lake is a beautiful lake that offers boating facilities and a view of a waterfall. It is also a good place for birdwatching and photography.
Ooty Botanical Gardens: Ooty Botanical Gardens is another famous attraction in Ooty that has a variety of plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs. It also has a fossil tree that is over 20 million years old.
Tiger Hill: Tiger Hill is a hill that offers a view of the sunrise and sunset over the Nilgiris. It also has a cemetery and a reservoir.
Ooty Rose Garden is a paradise of fragrance and beauty that you should not miss when you visit Ooty. It is the largest rose garden in India, with over 20,000 varieties of roses. Ooty Rose Garden is a place that will make you fall in love with nature and flowers.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Ooty Rose Garden soon and share your experience with us.
