Tamil Nadu’s many hill stations offer great summer escapes from the rising heat in the cities. During the month of May, Tamil Nadu is draped in a summery glow with a flurry of festivities happening across the state. Leaving behind the blue gloom of winter, a few quaint hill stations bloom bright with the vibrancy of a new season. The annual Summer Festivals in Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud, celebrated in May with much fanfare, are shows you must not miss. Various cultural programs, shows, and events take place during these festivals, attracting domestic and international tourists. We have curated the most colourful itinerary for you with the list of vibrant summer flower shows across the state where you can enjoy the beautiful displays and fill up your camera rolls with some unforgettable experiences.
Flaunting the beautiful full blooms of summer, the Historical Botanical Garden of Ooty turns into a colourful floral heaven. Showcasing the finest floral sculptures and stunning floral artistry, the Ooty Flower Show is something that you should not miss if you are in Ooty during May. For lovers of the outdoors, the flower show is not only a fantastic riot of colours to take in, but it also offers several cultural shows and musical performances that you can enjoy with your family. Children would find the entire experience enjoyable and educational as they learn and discover rare and indigenous botanical species showcased at the exhibition. You can also enjoy some boating at the Ooty Boathouse with a variety of boats available starting from INR 250. Enjoy a cool and fun-filled day at the Ooty Boathouse and take advantage of its many offerings like the selfie point, children’s amusement park and restaurants to eat at.
Where: Botanical Garden, Near Assembly Theatre, Ooty
The vegetable show is a striking artsy experience to have. The Kotagiri vegetable show sees a large number of visitors, all gathered to enjoy the many colourful structures ranging from animals to temples that are created by arranging different types of veggies together, such as cabbage, gourds, carrots, capsicums, beetroot, and more. Make it a family outing and take your kids to marvel at the multihued, eye-popping attractions, perfect for capturing great pictures for your social media feed.
Where: Nehru Park, Kotagiri
A great event for food connoisseurs is the spice show that brings together a wide display of locally-grown spices, dried fruits and tea. With its aromatic allure, the exhibition is a treat for your olfactory senses. The Gudalur spice show proudly showcases its abundant tea and coffee plantations, inviting you to explore the breathtaking natural scenery. The Mudumalai National Park is another nearby attraction you can visit with your family while visiting the spice show.
Where: Gudalur
Getting There
To get to Ooty, fly to Coimbatore International Airport, which is the nearest, around 113 km away. The nearest railway station, Udhagamandalam, is 2 km away.
With summer's arrival, the Kodai Vizha or the Kodaikanal Summer Festival colours the landscape of Kodaikanal, in the Dindigul district. Organised by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, the annual summer fiesta held in the beautiful hill station of Kodaikanal attracts a large number of tourists as well as locals. The festival usually spans ten days and is held at Bryant Park every year in May. One of the main draws of the event is the flower show, showcasing the variety of blooms at the festival fashioned in the shapes of animals and famous figures. The event is also accompanied by a colourful parade, wherein classical dancers perform various traditional dance forms of the State, such as Bharatanatyam, Oyilattam, and Mayilattam.
There are also several stalls selling delectable local fare and traditional crafts. Browse through these stalls as you take in the beautiful displays of flower arrangements. The Kodai Vizha also organises boat races and other sporting events where visitors can enjoy participating. For a comfortable and convenient stay during the festival, consider booking accommodation at Hotel Tamil Nadu Kodaikanal.
Where: Bryant Park, Kodaikanal
Getting There
Madurai is the closest airport to Kodaikanal 133 km away. Kodaikanal Road (KQN) is the nearest railway station and is regularly serviced by trains from Chennai.
Yercaud, nestled just a few kilometres away from Salem, is a great place to visit any time of the year. However, if you are planning a quick summery getaway to the verdant hill station, you might just be in time to catch one of the biggest draws of the season in the town. The Yercaud Summer Festival is a vibrant affair and one that travellers will surely enjoy. With a number of things to see and do, such as the flower show, dog show and boat races, the summer fest is a busy affair. The flower and fruit creations are made in the shapes of famous characters. Be enthralled by the innovative displays of spices like pepper, mustard as well as coffee and different fruits in eye-catching displays. There are various activities for kids and families to look forward to at the festival, and with the pleasant summer weather, a day out at the fest is a great way to experience the local culture of the place.
Where: Anna Park, Yercaud
Getting There
Salem Airport is nearest to Yercaud, situated about 38 km from the town, while the second closest is in Trichirapalli or Trichy, some 165 km away. You can also take a train to Salem railway junction.
With a number of serene hill stations dotting Tamil Nadu, it is an ideal destination for a relaxing and pleasant summer getaway. Whether you’re going with your family or taking a solo trip, Tamil Nadu offers many summer delights for people of all ages and interests.
For more details, go to TN Tourism Board's official page
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