Coming Soon · Gudalur, The Nilgiris

The World's First
3D Holographic
Planetarium

An astronomical landmark rising in the hills of Tamil Nadu: a holographic planetarium and auditorium, with a night sky observatory under some of India's clearest skies. Built on one belief: Astronomy is for everyone.

Holographic Auditorium

16 to 20 holographic fans as one giant display with no screens, wrapped in Dolby sound

Night Sky Observatory

Telescope viewing on clear nights in the Nilgiris hills

2 km from the Highway

Minutes off the Ooty to Mysore highway at Gudalur

Education for All

Free sessions for Government, Adivasi and community schools and colleges

Our Mission

Astronomy accessible for all

The night sky belongs to everyone. Yet for too many children, a telescope, a planetarium show or even a science teacher who loves the stars is out of reach. Stellar Inspire India exists to change that. Every visitor to our planetarium helps fund free astronomy education for the communities of the Nilgiris.

School children at a Government school in Tamil Nadu

Free for Schools & Colleges

Workshops, telescope nights and planetarium visits for Government, Adivasi and community schools and colleges, at no cost to the institution or the student.

Teachers taking part in a training workshop in India

Empowering Teachers

We train local teachers to teach astronomy with confidence, with curriculum resources and lesson plans that outlast any single visit.

Stellar Inspire educator talking with students during a school session

Pathways for Youngsters

Courses, clubs and camps give young people in the hills a real route into science, from first telescope night to careers in STEM.

Collage of schools and colleges across the Nilgiris

Reaching Every School

Outreach across the Nilgiris district means the planetarium comes to the school when the school cannot come to the planetarium.

The Experience

Astronomy like you have never seen it

Audience in the Stellar Inspire auditorium watching a giant Sun hologram floating in the air

3D Holographic Planetarium & Auditorium

A 50 to 100 seat auditorium unlike any other on Earth. In place of a cinema screen, a giant wall of 16 to 20 synchronised 3D holographic fans makes planets, nebulae and galaxies float in the air: no projectors, no flat screens, no glasses, all wrapped in Dolby surround sound. The world's first, and one of a kind.

A world first: 16 to 20 holographic fans as one giant display
50 to 100 seat auditorium with Dolby surround sound
Science shows, live sky tours, talks and events

The Stellar Inspire India observatory dome open at sunset above the Nilgiris tea hills

The Observatory

When the Nilgiris skies are clear, the roof opens. Look through real telescopes at the Moon's craters, Saturn's rings and deep sky wonders, guided by our astronomy educators, far from city lights.

Telescope viewing on clear nights
Guided stargazing with educators
Dark hill country skies, 1,000 m above sea level

The Building

Explore the landmark

Every part of the campus is designed around one idea: bring people closer to the sky. Hover over the markers to find your way around.

Aerial close view of the Stellar Inspire India campus with its main areas marked

Our School Collaborations in India

We have already delivered astronomy sessions and workshops in partnership with leading schools across the Nilgiris.

St Hildas School and Junior College, Ooty

St Hildas School & Junior College, Ooty

The Laidlaw Memorial School and Junior College, Ketti

The Laidlaw Memorial School, Ketti

Good Shepherd International School, Ooty

Hebron School, Ooty

Stellar Inspire session with students at St Hildas School, Ooty — With the students of St Hildas School, Ooty

Stellar Inspire session with students at The Laidlaw Memorial School, Ketti — With the students of The Laidlaw Memorial School, Ketti

Presenting the NASA Artemis II boarding pass to The Laidlaw Memorial School — Presenting the Artemis II boarding pass at Laidlaw

Leadership

The team behind the mission

Srilakshmi Ramakrishnan

Founder & Director · Gudalur, The Nilgiris

A native of Gudalur, Srilakshmi was the first woman in her family to pursue a university education in the sciences. Her career has been dedicated to widening access to astronomy, creating opportunities for others to explore the cosmos, beginning with the hills she grew up in.

She received the Young Scientist Award from the state science board in 2015 for her contributions to science education. A member of the British Astronomical Association, she serves on its Education and Outreach Committee, advancing astronomy education for communities across the UK and now in India.

David Arditti

Director · London, UK

Past President, British Astronomical Association (2021 to 2024)

Helen Usher

Director · London, UK

Comet Scientist & Astronomy Educator, STEM Ambassador, Director of the BAA Outreach & Education Committee

Our leadership brings internationally recognised expertise through the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Astronomical Association.

Visit Us

In the hills, under the stars

Location

Gudalur, The Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India, just 2 km from the Ooty to Mysore highway.

Getting Here

On the route between Ooty (50 km) and Mysore (100 km), Gudalur is a natural stop for travellers crossing the Western Ghats. Nearest airports: Coimbatore and Calicut.

Why Gudalur?

Nestled in the Nilgiris at the meeting point of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, with dark skies, cool climate and communities ready to reach for the stars.

Gudalur from above: the hills our observatory will call home

Be part of it from the start

Whether you want to visit, bring your school on board, train as an educator or partner with us, leave your details and we will be in touch.

Name *

School / Organisation

Phone

I am interested in

Message

Early access to shows and visits when we open
Free sessions for schools and colleges
Teacher training and partnership opportunities