Photos

Kotagiri is a beautiful small hill town in The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu. It is the traditional home of the 'Kota' tribe. The name ‘Kota-giri’ itself means ‘mountain of the Kotas’. While the Todas are the traditional agriculturists of the Nilgiris, the Kotas are the traditional artisans. They are experts in the art of pottery and terracotta baking. The Kotas are known for being reclusive and do not meet or mix with any outsider. The population of the tribe is currently just around a 1000 members and the numbers are fast declining.

Kotagiri was the first area in the Nilgiris discovered by the British. It was also the first place where tea, coffee and other spices were planted commercially and these are now thriving plantations.

This was an early morning shot showing the fog at ground level.