The Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu is quite famous for its lush green tea estates, beautiful waterfalls, and dense forests featuring a wide range of wildlife. However, there is much more to this majestic place beyond its scenic beauty. Tiger Hill Cemetery, a mysterious and spooky spot near Coonoor, is a prominent tourist spot that attracts a lot of thrill-seeking travellers. Built in 1905 by Britishers, this cemetery is a burial site and a popular tourist spot in Coonoor. Its gothic architecture, along with imposing tombstones and statues, make this place much more than a cemetery.
Tiger Hill Cemetery: A Spooky Tourist Spot In Coonoor
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Tiger Hill Cemetery is an off-beat tourist spot with some mysterious stories, just 3 km from the central Coonoor city. It is a 19th-century graveyard primarily used by the British for war burials. Lush green tea plantations surround this cemetery and have burials that date back to the early 1900s. You can spot this cemetery from far away with its stone gate, an arched gateway and a steeple. Inside the cemetery, you can spot different types of memorials, including some simple ones and others with ornate designs, sculptures and beautifully written epitaphs.
Most of the tombs in this cemetery are of the British India Company’s officers and their family members; however, there are a few burials belonging to the locals as well. Tiger Hill Cemetery is a popular tourist spot among history buffs and foreigners, who come here in large numbers to find the burial sites of their ancestors. At the cemetery, you will also find a record book that shows all the details of the burials. You can spend quality time in this cemetery amidst the huge fir trees.
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Story Behind Tiger Hill Cemetery
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Tiger Hill Cemetery is quite famous among thrill-seeking tourists, an off-beat tourist place situated on the slopes of the Western Ghats. Apart from being a spooky and mysterious spot in Coonoor, this cemetery also has a rich history that dates back to the era of the Britishers.
After Ooty was developed as a military sanatorium and the summer capital of the Madras Presidency in 1834, it was time for Coonoor, twenty miles away from Ooty, to transform into the gateway to the Nilgiris. Towards the end of the 19th century, when All Saints’ Church burial space was starting to run out, Coonoor was finalised to have its own Christian cemetery to supplement those at Kotagiri and Ooty. It was in 1905 when Tiger Hill Cemetery was opened amidst the lush green tea plantations. Inside the cemetery, there are over 500 graves of British officials.
Top Places To Visit Near Tiger Hill Cemetery
In the below information, you will learn more about Tiger Hill Cemetery and the places to visit nearby.
1. Ketti Valley, Coonoor
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A beautiful tourist spot in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, Ketti Valley is a must-visit place near Tiger Hill Cemetery. Quite popular among tourists for its stunning sunsets and mountain views, this is the second-largest valley in the world, situated on Ooty-Coonoor road. Ketti Valley should be on your wishlist if you want stunning views of the Nilgiris mountain hills and the surrounding regions.
This hidden gem in Coonoor is also known as the Switzerland of South India and is 7,000 ft deep. Around this valley, you can also enjoy stunning waterfalls, cliffs, and green landscapes. Once you reach the top of the Ketti Valley, you can witness the breathtaking views of 14 neighbouring villages inhabited mainly by the Toda and Badaga tribes.
Location: 14.2 km far from Tiger Hill Cemetery
Timings: Morning to Evening
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2. Rose Garden, Ooty
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After exploring Tiger Hill Cemetery, it is time to unwind your evening at The Rose Garden in Ooty. Sprawled across over four hectares of land on the Elk Hill slopes, it is famous as the Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, the Nootrandu Roja Poonga, and the Centenary Rose Park. This place is like a mini-forest where you can see some unique varieties of roses.
Inside the garden, you can find diverse varieties of roses in different colours and sizes that you could have never imagined. A well-maintained garden with blooming flowers makes this place one of the best picnic spots in Ooty among families. Other than families, couples also find this place a romantic destination away from the chaos of the city. To get the most out of your visit to the Rose Garden in Ooty, visit this place between March and June when an annual flower show is organised here.
Location: 20 km from Tiger Hill Cemetery
Timings: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
3. Catherine’s Falls
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Catherine Falls is an offbeat tourist place near Tiger Hill Cemetery where you can experience the ultimate magic spell of The Nilgiris. This double-cascaded waterfall is located in Kotagiri in The Nilgiris District. Try to visit this place post-monsoon, and you will fall in love with the greenery around the waterfall. The weather will also be quite pleasant to enjoy trekking to the falls.
This waterfall in Kotagiri feels like a paradise for nature lovers and adventure freaks. When it comes to trekking, many meandering trails pass through the lush green forests to reach the waterfall. A marvel of nature, this waterfall has a height of more than 75 m, making it one of the largest falls in Kotagiri. This place is also quite popular among adventure freaks as they hike up the forest path to the top of the falls, also known as Dolphin’s Nose, to witness the sight of a lifetime.
Location: 22 km far from Tiger Hill Cemetery
Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Best Time To Visit Tiger Hill Cemetery, Coonoor
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If you want to explore Tiger Hill Cemetery and other tourist spots in Coonoor, try visiting in the winter season, especially between October and March. During this time, the weather of Coonoor is pleasant, with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 20°C, perfect for an outdoor excursion. In this weather, you can enjoy many activities near Tiger Hill Cemetery.
If you are driving from Coonoor to Tiger Hill Cemetery, try to reach early in the morning to avoid the crowds and witness the most scenic views of the tea plantations around the cemetery, surrounded by a bit of mist.
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Buried in greenery and pervaded by utter silence, Tiger Hill Cemetery still holds the charm and splendour of bygone days. If you are a history buff, you will be amazed by this place and more after reading the record book, which lists famous figures from the colonial era who were laid to rest here. Next time you plan your trip to Tamil Nadu, take some time to find this mystic yet beautiful hidden gem.
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Cover Image Credit: PJeganathan for wikimedia commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Tiger Hill Cemetery
What is the entry fee for Tiger Hill Cemetery?
Tiger Hill Cemetery does not charge an entry fee; however, you must have permission to visit. So plan your visit without paying any cost.
Why is Tiger Hill Cemetery a popular tourist destination in Coonoor?
Situated in Coonoor, Tiger Hill Cemetery is an important historical site. It is a graveyard established in the 19th century by the British for their war burials.
How did Tiger Hill Cemetery get its name?
Tiger Hill Cemetery, located in the Coonoor neighbourhood, is a historical cemetery with green ground and graves of British officials of the 1990s. In the past, Tigers roamed around this place, hence its name.
How do you reach Tiger Hill Cemetery from Coonoor?
Tiger Hill Cemetery is a popular tourist spot for people who love to explore historical places with mysterious stories behind them. It is located around 3 km from Coonoor. You can hire a taxi or drive your vehicle from Coonoor to Tiger Hill Cemetery. You won’t regret it, as the drive itself is a wonderful experience.
Which is the nearest airport to Tiger Hill Cemetery in Coonoor?
The nearest airport to Tiger Hill Cemetery in Coonoor is Coimbatore International Airport (CJB). The distance between Tiger Hill Cemetery and Coimbatore International Airport is around 70 km, and it takes around 2 hours to reach the cemetery from Coimbatore Airport.
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