District Collector Office in The Nilgiris
About The Nilgiris District
Welcome to The Nilgiris, internationally celebrated as the "Blue Mountains" of India and one of the most stunningly picturesque districts in Tamil Nadu. Steeped in incredibly rich colonial history and discovered for its exceptional natural charm by British officials like John Sullivan in the 1810s, the district was officially established in February 1882. The name 'Nilgiris' beautifully stems from the spectacular violet blossoms of the rare 'Kurinji' flower that periodically blanket its majestic hill ranges. Geographically magnificent, the district features rolling, steep topography at breathtaking elevations ranging from 900 to 2,636 meters above sea level. Spanning over 2,500 square kilometers and sharing borders with Karnataka and Kerala, The Nilgiris is home to over 735,000 residents and remains an absolute paradise of world-renowned ecotourism, cultural heritage, and sublime climate.
District Admin Units
Local Bodies
Constituencies
General Information
- District: The Nilgiris
- HeadQuarters: Udhagamandalam
- State: TamilNadu
- Total Area: 2545 Sq.Kms
- Elevation: 900 to 2636 meters
Population Details
- Total: 7,35,394
- Male: 3,60,143
- Female: 3,75,251
The Legendary Blue Mountains
Mentioned as early as the ancient Tamil epic Silappadikaram, the district derives its magical name "Nilgiris" (Blue Hills) from the spectacular violet blossoms of the rare Kurinji flower, which periodically envelops the majestic mountain ranges and transforms the entire landscape into a breathtaking sea of blue.
Fascinating Colonial Heritage
Celebrated for its immensely pleasant climate, the district became a massive European attraction in the 19th century. Initiated by John Sullivan in 1819, it eventually separated from Coimbatore in 1868 and became an independent district in 1882 under the administration of its first collector, Richard Wellesley Barlow.
Steep Topography & Geography
Renowned for its rolling hills and dramatic steep terrains, over 60% of its cultivable land falls on challenging slopes. Perfectly nested at phenomenal high altitudes, it shares deeply strategic and cultural interstate boundaries with both Karnataka to the north and Kerala to the south and west.