Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, which stands 7,349 feet above sea level in the Nilgiris, is known as the Queen of southern hill resorts of India.

Ooty, as it is popularly known, spreads over 36 square miles, and the temperature ranges from 25 degree celsius in summers, to near freezing in winters.

This famous hill station is at the junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, three southern states of India.

It was founded by the Britishers, in the early part of the 19th century, to serve as summer headquarters for the government of Madras. Before that time, the area was inhabited by Todas. These tribal people still inhabit the area, but only around 3000 remain.