Teanest Nightingale (Kotagiri)

Kotagiri: – is a town in the Nilgiris in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kotagiri is situated at an elevation of around 1,793 m above sea level. Kotagiri is located at 11.43°N 76.88°E. About 33 km southeast of Ooty. It is believed to have the world’s second best climate. Kotagiri can be reached only by road, from Coimbatore it is 69 km via Mettupalayam. John Sullivan’s bungalow, the one he built during his stay, has been renovated and is open to the public. It is located in Kannerimukku, about 20 minutes from the main town. There are numerous tea factories producing the famous Nilgiris tea. The famous Nilgiris thailam (Eucalyptus oil) is distilled in small shacks in a rudimentary manner. Kotagiri also has some gold deposits, which were mined to levels possible during the days of the British Raj. Presently research is going on to determine if it would be possible to extract more gold from the mines. There is also some considerable bauxite in the area.