Coonoor

Coonoor is a town in Nilgiris district, India, spread across several forested hills in northern Tamil Nadu. The roads wind through densely planted slopes, while multi-story houses with corrugated iron roofs and weathered balconies line the steep valleys.

The British colonial administration developed this settlement in the 19th century as a summer retreat and railway terminus. Churches in neo-Gothic style and stone bungalows from that era still stand among the tea plantations today.

The name comes from the Tamil word for a native shrub berry that once grew wild here. On market days, local farmers sell fresh tea leaves and vegetables from the surrounding slopes, while older residents drink chai and read newspapers in the teahouses.

A railway station connects this town with the lowlands through a narrow mountain route known for its tight curves. Walking trails begin at the edge of town and lead through eucalyptus groves to viewpoints over the surrounding valleys.

The local botanical garden grows over a thousand plant species, including rare mountain ferns and native orchids. Each year in May, an exhibition displays fresh fruits and vegetables from the surrounding farms.