Nestled amidst Nilgiri hills, Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu which serves as a top-rated tourist destination. Once regarded as the summer headquarters of the East India Company, the Queen of the hills is a picturesque getaway. Dotted with tea gardens, serene waterfalls, winding country lanes, and charming colonial architecture, Ooty is the perfect respite for everyone. Popular among couples and honeymooners, Ooty allures its visitors with the panoramic views of the Nilgiri mountains.
Elk Hill Murugan temple
At a distance of 1 km from Rose Garden and 4 km from Ooty Railway Station, the Elk Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple situated atop Elk Hill in Ooty. It is one of the revered temples in Ooty and among the best places to visit in Ooty. Amidst picturesque backdrop and a resplendent setting, the Elk Hill Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan. The highlight of the place is a 40 feet tall statue of Lord Murugan that stands tall outside the enclosures of the temple and attracts pilgrims and devotees from far and wide. The statue is a replica of the Murugan Statue in Batu caves, Malaysia.
Valparai temple
At a distance of 10 km from Valparai Bus Station, Balaji Temple is one of the prominent temples located in Valparai, Tamilnadu. Situated inside Karumalai Tea Estate, it is one of the beautiful and the most visited Valparai tourist places. Balaji temple is situated about 10 kms from Valparai town.
It is a famous temple and it is located inside the Tea Estate. Temple is being maintained by the Tea Estate group. Main deity is Balaji and separate sannadhi for Hanuman. Area is calm and quiet. No photography allowed inside and in front of the temple.
As vehicles are not allowed after the entrance, one has to walk 500 meters uphill slope. Located amidst beautiful hills and tea estates, the serenity and the climate of the place make it ideal to reinforce conviction in God. Reciting holy scriptures here is considered very auspicious and one feels peaceful too.
Vasupujya Swami Swetamber Jain temple
First Jain temple in South India is in Chennai, this temple is known as Shree Gujarati Swetamber Jain Mandir. Lord Parshwanatha, the 23rd Teerthankar is the presiding deity of this renowned shrine. The idol is made of Quartz selected from the Chellur mines in Karnataka. The stone was considered special due to its green colour, which, according to Jain scriptures, is the colour of God. Jain acharyas walk all the way to the Gujarati shwetambar Mandir from North India and stay here for 'Chatur Masa'.
Mariamman temple
The Mariamman temple is located near the market in Ooty, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Mariamman is the local deity of the region. It is dedicated to Mariamman, the Hindu Goddess of rain. It is the only place where Goddess Kaliamman and Mariamman are seen together. Even today people gather at the market on Tuesday and worship Goddess Mariamman on their way back from the market.
According to legend, Every Tuesday merchants from Coimbatore came to this region to trade with the local tribals. On one of this day, two sisters travelling from north reached market. They had divine look and manner. When they asked for a place to stay, they were told to stay under a nearby tree. They did not know that the sisters were Goddesses. A lightning or flash of light appeared near the tree and the sisters disappeared. On seeing this, people understood that the sisters were divine forms and built a temple for Goddess Kaliamman and Mariamman together. It is the Mariamman temple seen today.
