The Fernhills Palace, Ooty
Fernhill Palace was the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore.[1] The first Fernhills bungalow was built in 1844 as a private residence in the hill station Ooty in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The palace resembles a Swiss Chalet. Its carved wooden bargeboards and ornamental cast iron give it that characteristic appearance. The palace grounds accentuate the alpine look of the place with its manicured gardens, firs and cedars. There is a church-like indoor badminton court on the grounds.[1]
The Palace is spread out over 50 acres (200,000 m2) of green lawns, stylized gardens and dense woods with views of terraced tea gardens and lush verdant valleys[2]
History
The first Fernhills bungalow was built in 1844 by Capt. F. Cotton. It changed hands over a period of time till mid-1860 when it was temporarily named Moonesami and served as one of Ooty's earliest country club. During the time of the British Raj, the English elite would flee the hot and muggy plains of the Madras Presidency and take sanctuary in the cool climes of Ooty, with its expanses of hills and terraced tea gardens. Its popularity never waned and has grown to include holidaymakers, honeymooners, film units and boarding schools.[2]
Description
The Palace is spread out over 50 acres (200,000 m2) of green lawns, stylized gardens and dense woods with views of terraced tea gardens and lush verdant valleys.[2] It is situated in the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty still exudes an undeniable charm as locals go about their business and tourists amble in the streets of what is finally just a little town, fringed by large, sprawling plantations of cardamom and tea, and eucalyptus forests.[2]