Main Article Content
Abstract
Coonoor is the second largest of the hill stations in the Nilgiris. It is situated on the eastern side of the southern extremity of Doddabetta range, at the head of the grand Hulikal ravine at an elevation of 1850 metres.1 It lies 17 km. southeast of Udhagamandalam and is the headquarters of the taluk. The name of the place connotes in Tamil a "hill town". This pretty little station is enriched by hills of irregular shape and elevation. Being close to the edge of the hills, it is subjected to fogs and dense mists, the variations of temperature are often sudden and great.2 During summer, the maximum temperature is 24.2°C and minimum temperature falls between 8 and 9°C. The annual rainfall is about 130 cm. The place is built round a wide, broken valley. On the edge of the crest of the plateau at the head of the great ravine up which runs the ghat road to Udhagamandalam and the Nilgiris railway line from Mettupalayam.3