Ooty Rose Garden, also known as Government Rose Garden, is a beautiful garden in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest rose gardens in India and also a popular tourist attraction. It was established in 1995 to commemorate the centenary of Ooty flower show. It is situated at an altitude of 2200 m on the slopes of the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram area of Ooty town. The garden has more than 20,000 varieties of roses of 2,800 cultivars, spread over five terraces covering 10 acres of land.
The garden showcases roses of different colours, shapes and sizes, including rare and exotic ones. The garden also has a statue of an angel, a rose tunnel, a pergola and a nila maadam (an observation platform). The garden is a delight for rose lovers, nature lovers and photographers. Visit during One day Trip Ooty local sightseeing package
Location of Ooty Rose Garden
Ooty Rose Garden is located on the Elk Hill Road, about 3 km from the Ooty bus stand and railway station. It is situated in Ooty, a hill station in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, about 200 km from Coimbatore. Ooty is known for its pleasant climate, green hills, tea gardens and colonial charm. Ooty is home to many other tourist attractions such as Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Doddabetta Peak, Pykara Lake and Coonoor.
Timing / Entry Fees Ooty Rose Garden
Ooty Rose Garden is open for visitors from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm every day except Friday, when it is closed for prayers. The entry fee for visiting Ooty Rose Garden is Rs. 30 for adults and Rs. 15 for children. To carry a still camera, you have to pay an additional fee of Rs. 50 and to carry a video camera, the ticket price is Rs. 100.
How to Reach Ooty Rose Garden from City Centre
Ooty Rose Garden is about 3 km from the city centre of Ooty. Visitors can reach the garden by various modes of transport, such as:
- Auto-rickshaw: This is the most common and convenient way to reach Ooty Rose Garden from the city centre. Auto-rickshaws are easily available and charge around Rs. 50-100 for a one-way trip.
- Bus: There are buses that ply between the city centre and Ooty Rose Garden at regular intervals. The bus fare is around Rs. 10-20 per person.
- Taxi: Visitors can also hire a taxi or a cab to reach Ooty Rose Garden from the city centre. The taxi fare may vary depending on the distance and traffic, but it usually ranges from Rs. 200-400 for a one-way trip.
Things to Do / Must See Ooty Rose Garden
Ooty Rose Garden is a paradise of roses that offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the things to do and see at Ooty Rose Garden are:
- Admire the roses: The main attraction of Ooty Rose Garden is admiring the roses, which are arranged in five terraces according to their colours and types. Visitors can see roses of different colours such as red, pink, yellow, white, orange, purple, black and green. They can also see roses of different shapes and sizes such as hybrid tea roses, miniature roses, polyanthas, floribunda, ramblers and yakimour. They can also see roses of rare and exotic varieties such as green rose, black rose and blue rose.
- Learn about roses: The garden also provides information boards and guides that explain the history, cultivation and classification of roses. Visitors can learn about the origin of roses, their botanical names, their uses and their significance in different cultures and occasions. They can also learn about the different methods of propagation and pruning of roses.
- Enjoy the view: The garden also offers a splendid view of the surrounding hills and valleys of Ooty. Visitors can enjoy the view from the nila maadam (an observation platform) or from the rose tunnel (a walkway covered with rose creepers). The view is especially enchanting during sunrise and sunset, when the roses change their colour according to the light.
- Participate in events: The garden also hosts various events throughout the year such as flower shows, rose competitions, cultural programs and festivals. The most famous event is the annual Ooty flower show, which is held in May. The flower show attracts thousands of visitors and showcases the best of the roses and other flowers of Ooty. The flower show also features cultural programs, musical concerts, food stalls and exhibitions.
Significance of Ooty Rose Garden
Ooty Rose Garden is a significant place for Indians, as it is a symbol of their tourism and horticulture industry. It is also a significant place for rose lovers, as it is a place of beauty and diversity of roses. It is also a significant place for culture enthusiasts, as it showcases the local art and craft of Ooty.
According to history, Ooty Rose Garden was established in 1995 to commemorate the centenary of Ooty flower show. It was initiated by the then collector of Nilgiris district, Nanda Kumar IAS. The garden was developed by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department with the help of the Floriculture Department of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The garden was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa on 25 May 1995. The garden received the Garden of Excellence Award for being the best rose garden in South Asia from the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2006.
FAQ’s
Q: When was Ooty Rose Garden built?
A: Ooty Rose Garden was built in 1995.
Q: What are the materials used for building Ooty Rose Garden?
A: Ooty Rose Garden is made of soil, stone, brick and wood.
Q: Why is Ooty Rose Garden called Rose Garden?
A: Ooty Rose Garden is called Rose Garden because it has more than 20,000 varieties of roses.
Conclusion
Ooty Rose Garden, also known as Government Rose Garden, is a beautiful garden in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest rose gardens in India and also a popular tourist attraction. It was established in 1995 to commemorate the centenary of Ooty flower show. It is situated at an altitude of 2200 m on the slopes of the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram area of Ooty town. The garden has more than 20,000 varieties of roses of 2,800 cultivars, spread over five terraces covering 10 acres of land.
The garden showcases roses of different colours, shapes and sizes, including rare and exotic ones. The garden also has a statue of an angel, a rose tunnel, a pergola and a nila maadam (an observation platform). The garden is a delight for rose lovers, nature lovers and photographers.
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