Kotagiri is small hill town situated in Nilgiris biosphere at an elevation of 1793 meters above sea level. The famous Longwood Shola forests are part of this biosphere.
Kotagiri is one of the oldest habitable hill station situated below Ooty and above Coonoor. The first European resident John Sullivan built his bungalow known as Pethakal bungalow in Kannerimukku in 1819. Kotagiri is the home of Kota tribes with picturesque trekking trials. The three popular trekking trails are Kotagiri – Kodanad; Kotagiri – St. Catherine Falls and Kotagiri – Longwood Shola.
If the weather in Ooty is too cool and in Coonoor too warm, Kotagiri has a pleasant climate throughout the year. Tamil, Kannada, and Baduga (mix of Tamil and Kannada) languages are understood by most people of the town.
Many residential and non-residential schools are set up in Kotagiri making it a destination for good education. Keystone Foundation and Nilgiris Adivasi Welfare Association (NAWA) are NGOs working for the betterment of native tribes like the Irulas, Kurumbas, and Kotas are headquartered in Kotagiri.
A temple dedicated to the deity “Kamataraya” is visited by the Kotas every month to offer prayers.
Interesting places around Kotagiri:
Dodda Betta
St. Catherine Falls
Kodanad view point
Longwood Shola
Rangaswamy Peak
Elk Falls
Thengumarahada
Lord Rangaswamy Pillar
Kootada
John Sullivan’s Bungalow
Rose Park
Ooty
Coonoor
Droog Fort
Shopping and eating out:
Tuck in freshly baked goodies at the bakery. Carry homer eco-friendly products at the green shop run by the Keystone foundation. Tea and Eucalyptus Oil are other popular items to be carried in the shopping cart.
Place Statistics:
Type of place: Hill Station
Situated: Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu
Distance: 105 Km from Coimbatore, 23 Km from Coonoor, 27 Km from Ooty
Transport: Well connected by road. Nearest reailhead is Coonoor and airport is Coimbatore.
Facilities: Home stays are available at Kotagiri. Accommodation is available at the luxury and budget hotels, guesthouses and picturesque resorts in Coonoor.
