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The Nilgiris or Blue Mountains are a range of mountains and a district in the south-Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Tea is grown at elevations of 1,000 to above 2,500 metres. The area also produces eucalyptus oil and temperate zone vegetables. Parts of many Indian movies are filmed in the Nilgiris.

The altitude of the Nilgiris results in a much cooler wetter climate than the surrounding plains, and so the area is popular as a retreat from the summer heat. The rolling hills of the Downs look very similar to the Downs in Southern England, and were used for similar activities such as hunting.

The principal town of the area is Udhagamandalam, although the old British name of Ootacamund, shortened to Ooty, is often used. In the town there are many buildings which look very "British", in particularly the Churches. There is a road junction known as Charing Cross (a well known place in London).

The other main towns in the Nilgiris are Coonoor and Kotagiri.

There are several tribes living in the Nilgiris, whose origins are uncertain. The best known of these are the Toda people, whose culture is based upon cattle, and whose red, black and white embroidered shawls, and silver jewelry is much sought after.

There is a railway running from Mettupalayam to Udhagamandalam via Coonoor, which is a great tourist attraction. It was used in the film A Passage to India as the railway to the caves. It is a rack-and-pinion railway as far as Coonoor.

External link

• Pictures of Nilgiris
• Official Government Site
• Nilgiris News - yet to be launched

See also

• Nilgiri tea

• Tea
• Tourism in India
• Tamil Nadu
• Mountains of India