Page 611 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

T A MIL NADU  609

Betta. The lowest point provides a habitat for a rich o Coimbatore
of the sanctuary is at the diversity of wildlife, including Coimbatore district. 502 km (312 miles)
picturesque Moyar Waterfalls. the Nilgiri tahr (see p23), SE of Chennai. * 924,000. ~ 10 km
Its topo graphy is as varied as sambar, tiger, leopard, spotted (6 miles) NE of city centre, then bus.
the vegetation, which ranges deer, flying squirrel, Malabar £ @ n Hotel Tamil Nadu, Dr
from dense deciduous forests civet and Nilgiri langur. Over Nanjappa Rd, (0422) 230 2177.
of teak, laurel and rosewood 120 species of birds, resident ( Mon–Sat. _ Thaipoosam (Jan/
in the west, to scrub jungle and migratory, can be seen Feb), Karthigai (Nov/Dec).
towards the east, interspersed here as well. These include
with grassland, swamps and the scops owl and the crested Tamil Nadu’s third-largest
bamboo brakes. The sanctuary hawk eagle. city, Coimbatore is a major
industrial centre and the state’s
commercial capital, with huge
Guardian Deities textile mills and engineering
Huge figures made of burnt clay can be seen on the outskirts units. It is also a convenient
of villages in the southern districts of base for visiting the Nilgiri hill
Tamil Nadu. They are worshipped as stations. The city has a reputed
the guardians of the villages. The most Agricultural College, and two
prominent folk deity is Ayyanar, also famous temples. The Perur
known as Ayyappa, the son of Shiva Temple on the Noyyal river and
and Vishnu. This mustachioed god, the popular Muruga Marutha­
with prominent eyes, wears short malai Temple, on top of a
trousers and carries a sword. His hillock, are dedicated to Lord
horse stands by his side, so that he
can ride through the night, keeping Shiva and his son, Murugan,
evil spirits at bay. Other deities are respectively. They are visited
Munisami, who holds a trident and by thousands of devotees
shield and rides a lion, and the black- during temple festivals.
hued Karuppusami, the nocturnal Guardian deities outside a The Siruvani Waterfalls are
avenger who punishes thieves. village shrine beautiful, and Siruvani water
famed for its purity and taste.

1 Ooty 2 Dodda Betta
Officially known as The highest peak
Udhagamandalam, this in the Nilgiris
Queen of Hill Stations was (2,623 m/8,606 ft)
originally inhabited by the has glorious views
Todas (see p611). The century- of the hills, valleys
old Nilgiri Mountain Railway and plateaux.
terminates here.

3 Kotagiri
Known for its salubrious
climate, this hill station is
Naduhatti situated in the shadow of
Dodda Betta Peak.

Mettupalayam

4 Coonoor
A pretty town surrounded by hills and
tea and coffee plantations, Coonoor
hosts an annual fruit-and-vegetable
show in May, at Sim’s Park.

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