A Surprise near Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
In the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, Mudumalai National Park resides in the north-western side of the Nilgiri mountains. It shares its boundaries with 2 states - Kerala and Karnataka and is divided into 5 ranges, namely, Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.
The national park is the home of diverse flora and fauna and a major source area of tigers.
Jungle safari at Mudumalai Tiger reserve include
Other activities enjoyed by visitors at Mudumalai National Park are
If you are visiting Mudumalai, then do not miss out the nearest tourist attractions like
The climate remains pleasant during the onset of summers and in the winters. Therefore the Best time to visit Mudumalai is from October to May. The above-mentioned attractions are widely popular among the tourists, except for the last one, the Needle Rock View Point.
The Needle Rock View Point
This spot is comparatively lesser known among the tourists, located in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, on the Gudalur-Ooty National Highway-67. The place is also known as Ooshi Malai or Soochi (needle) Malai (mountain) surfaced from the Tamil language due to the conical shape of the view point. The Needle Rock viewpoint is about 13 km away from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and gives a panoramic view of the Nilgiris from the spot.
If you are travelling from Ooty towards Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, then you must give a halt to the journey to visualise the spectacle of the viewpoint. The breathtaking canvas of the grasslands and the valleys of Nilgiris will have a permanent print in your memory. If you are passing through their place, then try to reach here in the morning or in the evening to witness the heavenly moment of sunrise or sunset.
Though there are several attractions in Ooty and Mudumalai, visiting the Needle Rock viewpoint will give an unparalleled experience. October to June is the best time to wander the spot and get lost in the enchantment of the views. The spot is a paragon of speechlessness for nature lovers and peace seekers. Approximate 1 hr 15 mins drive from Ooty, reaching the ultimate spot of the Needle Rock you can treat your eyes with the views of Gudalur Town, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, parts of Mysore and Bandipur. Parts of Kerala are also visible from the other side of the viewpoint and the Sleeping Beauty Mountain, also known as Anakkallu, will definitely ensnare your attention. The mountain got its name due its shape which looks exactly like a sleeping lady.
One more interesting fact to know about the Needle Rock Viewpoint is that, here you can literally reach out to the clouds due to the altitude of the place. On rare occasions there are clouds very close to the viewpoint, and when they fade away the dotted sights of hamlets in between the forests will blow away your mind.