Sullivan’s Memorial

Sullivan's Memorial, Kotagiri

If you’re into history, this building is a must visit. This is 2 km from Kotagiri at Kannerimukku village and was the home of the British Collector of Coimbatore John Sullivan who is credited with ‘discovering’ and developing the Nilgiris back in the 1820’s. It is a two-storeyed house that changed many hands, became in turns a school, a storage facility, a dump and a ruin. It was restored to its original state in 2002 and now houses the Niligiri History Museum. A must-visit for history buffs.

Respect for the locals

In a remarkable career, John Sullivan crossed rough terrain and steep slopes to end up in what is today Kotagiri. He termed the region’s climate as “unusually temperate and healthy” and over the next few years, introduced crops like potato and barley. The magnificent and profuse tea gardens followed suit eventually.

His respect for the locals and their way of life was well known and for that, he is held in high regard even today. The development of Ooty can also be attributed to Sullivan.

Getting there

Sullivan’s Bungalow is about 20 km from Triptych Nilgiris at Cliffy Village. On reaching Kotagiri town, it is about 2 km from Kamaraj Square in a location called Kannerimukku.

Narayan Kumar

Narayan is an avid traveller, writer and photographer who has a home in the picturesque Niligiri hills called Triptych Nilgiris. It is a homestay with a welcoming ambience, a stunning view of a valley and some delicious home-cooked food. You can check availability by sending a WhatsApp message to 98400 78228.

Triptych blog

Get to know the Nilgiris in and around Kotagiri. Must-see places are included.