Located in the Nilgiri hills, the hill station Ooty, is an ideal destination to take a break from the concrete jungle and escape to the hills of Nilgiri mountains in Tamil Nadu. The scenic beauty, and famous temples attract thousands of tourists every year. Every temple of the town possesses its own speciality and history and is unique in its own way. The detailed architecture and magnificently sculptured idols are a charm to the hill station. So, if you’re planning for a spiritual retreat then these stunning temples in Ooty are a must visit!
8 Stunning Temples In Ooty
Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty is an extremely scenic hill station. There are many famous temples in Ooty which you can visit. Here’s a list of the best temples in Ooty, a quaint hill station located in the Nilgiri mountains of Tamil Nadu that are going to enhance your holiday experience and make you relish the culture.
- Elk Hill Murugan Temple
- Mariamman Temple
- Annamalai Murugan Temple
- Vasupujya Swami Shwetambar Jain Temple
- Muniswarar Temple
- Valparai Linga Temple
- Toda Temple
- Nasiyan Temple
1. Elk Hill Murugan Temple
The Ooty Murugan Temple is a revered Hindu temple located on the Elk hill and thus is known as the Elk Hill Murugan temple. It is devoted to Lord Muruga (Kartikeya) whose stunning sculpture is 40-feet tall built at the entrance of the temple. One has to climb around 85 steps to witness the view from the top of the temple. Besides lord Kartikeya, the sculptures of Lord Ganesha, Goddesses Sakthi, Lord Shiva, Navagraha Sanithamans and Nava Kanikas also catch the eye of tourists.
Location: Elk Hill, Ooty, State – Tamil Nadu, Pin Code – 643001
Timing: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
How to reach: Various buses from Ooty, Bangalore, Chennai and Mysore will help you to visit the temple. If the mode of transport is air, then the airport nearest to Ooty is Coimbatore airport from where you can take a bus or a taxi ride to reach the place.
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2. Mariamman Temple
Mariamman temple of Ooty is a renowned Hindu temple situated in the market of the town. It is named after the native goddess of the rain, Marriaman and her sister, Kaliamman. The goddesses are believed to heal diseases, and every April, a festival dignifying both of them are celebrated in the temple in which activities like walking with bare feet on the blazing coal can be observed. The marketplace where it is located has a variety of good restaurants, so you can complete your day by taking a meal there on your way back home.
Location: Main Bazaar, Upper Bazaar, Tamil Nadu, Ooty, 643001
Timing: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
How to reach: This temple is easily reachable as it lies in the main local market.
Suggested Read: 54 Places To Visit In Ooty In 2024 That Are Fun And Incredibly Spectacular
3. Annamalai Murugan Temple
Annamalai is another Murugan temple in Ooty which is devoted to Lord Murugan. It is perched on top of a hill, located more than 20 km away from the town and is considered as Lord Murugan’s seventh hill house. Free food is given away to the helpless, needy and poor people for the last 30 years. The hilltop provides a serene view to the eyes, and the silence is perfect for meditation. It is one of the famous temples in Ooty.
Location: Kundha, which is approximately 35 km from Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code – 643219
Timing: 5 AM – 12 PM & 4 PM – 9 PM
How to reach: This temple can be reached by driving to Manjur or Kundah Dam by car which takes approximately 45 minutes.
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4. Vasupujya Swami Shwetambar Jain Temple
This is the most renowned temple for the Jains all over India and is considered the most reputed Dharamshala in Ooty. Entirely made of marble, a beautifully carved front welcomes you into the temple which is known to eradicate all the mysteries and stress of one’s mind. This temple is meant to achieve inner peace and calmness and visiting this temple is one of the best things to do in Ooty on your trip.
Location: Upper Bazaar, Ooty, 643001, Tamil Nadu
Timing: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
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5. Muniswarar Temple
This temple is built to dignify Lord Muniswarar who is considered to be another form of the mighty Lord Shiva. Situated in the Bombay Castle Area of Ooty, it is visited by tourists who want to clear their minds and conscience. Its design follows the Dravidian style having a pyramid or Gopura above the main entrance. The festival of Mahashivratri is prominently celebrated here as it is in reverence of Lord Shiva during which it is splendidly decorated with garlands and lights.
Location: Muneeswarar Kovil, Bus Stand of Ooty, state – Tamil Nadu
Timing: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
How to reach: The temple is very easy to reach for the people who are travelling by bus as it is near the bus stand.
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6. Valparai Linga Temple
This ancient temple is devoted to the mighty Lord Shiva. While it has a major shrine of linga, which is the iconic symbol of Lord Shiva, the whole premises is shrouded with numerous small Shiva lingas accompanied by greenery and peace. This beautiful temple was built by the money collected from the people living in the adjacent villages. It also has the sculpture of Nandi bull, who is the sacred gate-guardian and vahana of Lord Shiva.
Location: Ooty hills, Tamil Nadu
Timing: Open 24 hours
How to reach: This temple is really easy to visit as it is situated in the heart of the beautiful town hills.
Suggested Read: 10 Ooty Travel Tips To Help You Experience The Town More Like A Local & Less Like A Tourist!
7. Toda Temple
Toda temple has its own speciality that is not dedicated to any special religion but to the local deities. One has to trek to reach the top, but the final destination after the complete trek is worth it. It possesses special rules, rituals, and traditions, and anyone can visit it irrespective of any caste and religion. The temple looked similar to the Toda huts, having thatched roofs and carved entrances since it is devoted to the local Toda deities. The hilltop greenery provides a serene and calm environment to the tourists and people visiting the temple.
Location: Vannarapettai, Tamil Nadu, Ooty, 643002
Timing: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
How to reach: Get down to the Ooty bus station or Ooty railway station if you plan to come by bus or railways respectively.
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8. Nasiyan Temple
Image Credit – Hafiz for Pixabay
Nasiyan temple is basically meant for the large Jain community. It is situated on the Prithvi Raj road and was built in 1895 in dedication to Rishabhdeoji, who was the first Tirthankara of Jains. Amazingly constructed, this temple comprises of a museum that contains and protects every little information of the Jain community. If you are a Jain, and plan your vacation in Ooty, visiting this temple is a must.
Location: Ooty, State – Tamil Nadu
Timing: Open 24 hours
How To Reach Ooty
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Ooty is a town in Tamil Nadu which has good transport connections with the major cities nearby like Bangalore and Chennai. It can be reached through various modes of transport.
By road: The regular bus services provided by the major cities connected to Ooty help the tourists to get to the town and explore it. Various buses from cities like Bangalore, Madurai, Mysore, and many others start and end in Ooty. Package road trips to Ooty are also available.
By train: Since Ooty is a town and a hilly area, you can only travel to the nearest railway station, which is Mettupalayam. It is 47 km away from the town. Regular railways connect bigger cities like Chennai and Coimbatore to Mettupalayam, which further gets connected to Ooty by toy trains.
By air: If you are travelling by air, you will have to get down to the nearest airport at Coimbatore which is situated around 100 km from the town. Further, you can opt for railways or roads to reach Ooty, as mentioned above.
Further Read: Ooty Honeymoon Guide 2024 For Couples Who Still Believe In Old School Romance!
Mentioned above were just a few temples that enhance the beauty of Ooty. Apart from these stunning temples in Ooty you can visit various tourist attractions and plan an exciting vacation in Tamil Nadu with your friends or family! So, once the summer commences, pack up your bags, and get ready to get some fresh air because “mountains are calling, and you must go!”
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Frequently Asked Question About Temples In Ooty
What is the best time to visit Ooty?
Summers is possibly the best weather to visit Ooty, as it is quite serene, calm and cold in the hill station. You can relieve yourself from the intolerable heat by visiting Ooty in the months of peak summer.
Is there any dress code to visit any of the temples in Ooty?
The temples in Ooty do not have any specific dress code as they are open to all religions.
What are the other places one can visit except the temples in Ooty?
Ooty is home to rich wildlife. You can visit the Ooty botanical garden and the tea plantations. The Avalanche lake, Shooting point, Rose garden, Ooty Lake, Dolphin’s Nose, Doddabetta are some of the other spots that can be visited.
What is the best mode of transport to visit Ooty?
The fastest mode of transport to visit Ooty can be via flights. The nearest main airport is in Chennai or Coimbatore and can travel via rails or roads to the town.
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Being an army kid, Yashasvi has had a fair share of traveling around the country and collecting erratic experiences in her little adventure jar. Choosing to follow her heart and combining her passion into a full-time job, she has been writing blogs about travel, lifestyle, and food for 2 years.
