![everlasting summer gallery everlasting summer gallery](http://s01.riotpixels.net/data/7a/45/7a452263-1970-4ff2-8751-eae3bdf672bf.jpg)
However, night time in the months of January and February is typically cold. Despite its location in the tropics, in contrast with most of South India, Ooty generally features mild conditions and is spring-like throughout the year. Ooty features a subtropical highland climate ( Cwb) under Köppen climate classification. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level. Some areas of the Biosphere Reserve have been earmarked for tourism development, and steps are being undertaken to open these areas to visitors whilst conserving the area. Many of the forested areas and water bodies are off-limits to most visitors in order to protect this fragile ecosystem. Ooty is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. After Independence, it developed into a popular hill resort. Wellington is the home of the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army. Soldiers were sent to nearby Wellington to recuperate. Īranmore Palace in Ooty, served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency it was visited by British officials during the colonial days as a popular summer resort. The road was completed in May 1823, and extended up to Coonoor by 1830–32. He also started work on a road from Sirumugai to Dimbhatti that year. the hills beautifully wooded and fine strong spring with running water in every valley." The Toda ceded that part of the town to Sullivan and in May 1819, he began to build his bungalow at Dimbhatti. it resembles Switzerland, more than any country of Europe. Sullivan camped at Dimbhatti, north of Kotagiri in January 1819 and was enthralled by the beauty of the place. Kindersley, assistants to John Sullivan, then Collector of Coimbatore, visited Ooty and submitted a report to him. The Nilgiris came into possession of British East India Company as part of the ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan, by the treaty of Srirangapatnam in 1799. Tipu Sultan captured Nilgiris in the eighteenth century and extended the border by constructing a hideout cave-like structure. Nilgiris was ruled by various dynasties like Satavahanas, Gangas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara empire and the Rajas of Ummattur (on behalf of Wodeyars of Mysuru). The Toda people were known for raising water buffalo. The Toda in Nilgiris are first referenced in a record belonging to Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana and his general Punisa, dated 1117 CE.
![everlasting summer gallery everlasting summer gallery](https://libertycity.net/uploads/download/gta5_textures/thumbs/mi38n49gndjm27s6l30j0dnds3/14684152636912_gta5-2016-07-13-17-21-51-07.jpg)
Udhagamandalam was originally a tribal land occupied by the Badaga, Toda, Kota, Irula and Ooty is in the Nilgiri hills, meaning the "blue mountains", so named due to the Kurunji flower which blooms every twelve years giving the slopes a bluish tinge. "Mund" is the Anglicised form of the Toda word for a village, Mandu.
![everlasting summer gallery everlasting summer gallery](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YAW6_vttjLE/TrV4sFU_RzI/AAAAAAAADgs/7y8nM4eWZPY/s1600/Rainbow4.jpg)
This is perhaps a reference to a sacred stone revered by the local Toda people. The first part of the name ( Ootaca) is probably a corruption of the local name for the central region of the Nilgiri Plateau. The name probably changed under British rule from Udhagamandalam to Ootacamund, and later was shortened to Ooty. In early times it was called Ottakal Mandu. The first known written mention of the place is given as Wotokymund in a letter of March 1821 to the Madras Gazette from an unknown correspondent. Ootacumand was rated the best hill station in means of hospitality and nature passing other hill stations like Munnar and Kodaikanal. In 2011, the town had a population of 88,430. Its natural environment attracts tourists and it is a popular summer destination. The town is connected by the Nilgiri ghat roads and Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture, along with the manufacture of medicines and photographic film. Originally occupied by the Badaga and Toda people, the area came under the rule of the East India Company at the end of the 18th century. It was the summer capital of Madras Presidency. It is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills.
![everlasting summer gallery everlasting summer gallery](http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5531/freearrayanespictures00.jpg)
It is located 86 km north west of Coimbatore, 90 km east of Nilambur, 94 km souh-east of Sulthan Bathery, 100 km north west of Tiruppur and 128 km south of Mysore and is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district.