Are you looking for the top tourist attractions to see during your next trip to Ooty? Add the Government Rose Garden in Ooty to your itinerary. The Rose Garden in Ooty is spread across over four hectares of land on the hill slopes. The garden is famous for its huge collection of roses in diverse varieties, colours and sizes. This is a famous picnic spot in Ooty among families, while couples find this place a romantic destination away from the chaos of the city. In March to June, there is an annual flower show organised in the garden that is worth watching. Know all about Government Rose Garden further in this blog.
About Government Rose Garden, Ooty
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Located in the heart of Ooty City, Government Rose Garden is one of the best tourist places for people who love to be amidst nature. Established in 1995 to commemorate the Centenary Flower Show, this beautiful Rose Garden is located on the Elk Hill slopes in Ooty. It is also known to be one of the famous botanical gardens maintained by the Horticulture Department of Tamil Nadu. This mesmerizing garden in Ooty is also popular as the Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, the Nootrandu Roja Poonga and the Centenary Rose Park. If you are a nature lover and would love to see a diverse variety of roses at one place, then this is the place for you where you feel like you have entered a completely different world. Take a leisure stroll across this beautifully landscaped garden with areas dedicated to captivatingly fragrant roses.
In addition to admiring the marvel of nature in the form of colorful roses, this garden is also an ideal place in Ooty for people who are interested in the study of Botany. You can find a variety of roses at the Government Rose Garden and these include locals, non-local as well as hybrid varieties of roses. Sourced from all over the world, the range of roses at Government Rose Garden includes Ramblers, Polyanthus, Floribunda, Hybrid Tea Roses, Green Roses, Black Roses, and Miniature Roses.
Must Read: Things To Do In Ooty
Facts About Government Rose Garden You Did Not Know
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- The garden layout is designed in a way that it consists of bowers with creepers of roses, Pergolas and Rose Tunnels. Nila Maadam, an observation platform in the rose garden, is the best spot for visitors to get a beautiful view of the entire garden.
- The rose garden was established with 17,000 plants and over 1900 colourful and fragrant roses varieties. Currently, the total number of roses has reached 20,000 and the number of plants to a whopping 2,800 in this garden, making it home to India’s largest collection of roses.
- The rose garden covers an area of four hectares and features several terraces adorned with rose shrubs and other flowering plants. The terraces are thoughtfully curved along the hill slopes, giving the garden a mesmerizing view.
- The Government Rose Garden, Ooty, received the Garden Of Excellence Award for the Best Rose Garden in South Asia in 2006. It is amongst the 35 gardens worldwide that have received this honour.
Places To Visit Near Government Rose Garden, Ooty
There are various places to visit near this place to embark on your journey. So mesmerise yourself with the breathtaking views of the following top places.
1. Doddabetta Peak
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If you are in Ooty, Doddabetta Peak is one place that you should visit for its spectacular views of lush green forests. Spread along the Ooty – Kotagiri Road, this is one of the must-visit tourist places near the Government Rose Garden in Ooty. Doddabetta Peak is the highest in the Nilgiris ranges, and if you are vacationing in Ooty, visiting this place is a must to experience an aerial view of nature’s splendour. At the peak of Doddabetta, you will find long stretches of rhododendrons and other species of flora and fauna welcoming you with a cool breeze.
Location: 7.8 km away from Government Rose Garden, Ooty
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:30 pm
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Ooty
2. Emerald Lake
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Emerald Lake is one of the beautiful lakes in Tamil Nadu that gives visitors an opportunity to feel solace and tranquillity amidst the lap of nature. Though close to the city, this place is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Emerald Lake is the best spot near Ooty to spend an extended weekend surrounded by the Nilgiri Hills. You can watch different species of birds around this lake, which is home to several migratory birds. Along with this, this lake is also one of the best picnic spots in Ooty, where people of all age groups can enjoy.
Location: 21 km away from Government Rose Garden
Timings: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
3. Avalanche Lake
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Travel 26 km from Ooty, and you will reach Avalanche Lake, nestled amidst the lush green valleys of Nilgiris. This famous tourist spot in Tamil Nadu is a great escape from the chaos of the city and is a favourite among nature lovers and photographers. Formed from a huge landslide instead of an avalanche, this lake is surrounded by a captivating landscape and various flowers in varied colours, adding to its charm and beauty. There is also a waterfall nearby the lake cascading down from the mountain, making it a picture-perfect spot in Ooty.
Location: 24 km away from the Government Rose Garden
Timings: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Ooty In 2 Days
How To Reach
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Government Rose Garden is located on the Elk Hill slopes in Ooty city and is one of the top tourist spots in Tamil Nadu. It is well-connected by road from any part of Ooty city. You can take a bus, auto-rickshaw, or taxi to reach this garden.
Distance from major places:
Nearest Bus Stand: Ooty Bus Stand, which is 2 km away from Government Rose Garden
Nearest Railway Station: Ooty Railway Station, which is 2 km away from Government Rose Garden
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport, which is 56 km away from Government Rose Garden
Tips To Remember For Visiting Government Rose Garden, Ooty
- The timings of the rose garden is from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
- The entry fee for Government Rose Garden in Ooty is INR 40 per head for adults and INR 20 per head for children
- You have to pay an additional fee of INR 50 to carry a still camera inside the garden
- For a video camera inside the garden, the ticket price is INR 100
- Parking space is available at the Rose Garden
- You need to climb up the hill to explore all the garden levels. Hence, elderly people should take extra precautions or limit themselves to the first few levels.
- Plucking flowers in the garden is restricted and punishable
- You can expect rain occasionally in Ooty, so you might want to check the weather forecast before visiting the garden and carry an umbrella
- The best time to visit the Rose Garden in Ooty is between March and June, as this is the blooming season for flowers
- The Ooty Flower Show is held annually in May and is worth participating
Further Read: Ooty Hotels
Now that you have read the ultimate traveller’s guide to the Government Rose Garden in Ooty, you can plan your trip to Ooty accordingly to make the most out of it. Ensure you carry warm clothes with you as the weather gets chilly here. Spend an evening in this picture-perfect rose garden with your family and loved ones, and make a beautiful memory out of it.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Government Rose Garden
Where is the Government Rose Garden located in Ooty?
The Government Rose Garden is a popular tourist attraction situated on the slopes of Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram, Ooty town, at an altitude of 2200 meters above sea level.
What facilities are available at the Government Rose Garden in Ooty?
Considering visitors' convenience, the Government Rose Garden in Ooty offers basic facilities such as restrooms and drinking water. Small stalls selling snacks and souvenirs are also located outside or nearby the garden.
Are photography and videography allowed inside the Government Rose Garden, Ooty?
Yes, photography and videography are allowed inside the Government Rose Garden, considering the garden's picturesque setting. However, there are nominal charges for carrying a camera and video camera inside the garden.
How much does it take to explore the Government Rose Garden in Ooty?
To fully explore the Government Rose Garden in Ooty, it might take 1 to 2 hours to admire different roses and enjoy the scenic beauty.
What are the timings for the Government Rose Garden?
The Government Rose Garden remains open for visitors every day from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. However, these timings can change depending on the season and local regulations.
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