A foggy highway at Kulamavu, Idukki
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A foggy highway at Kulamavu, Idukki
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A view of Siruvani Hills, Palakkad
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Kanthanpara Water Falls at Kalpetta, Wayanad
I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Updated on December 20, 2023 - Kochi
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Munnar in Malayalam (3 Rivers) means confluence of three rivers - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala rivers. Munnar is a hill station town located in the Idukki district of Kerala.The idyllic hill station Munnar is famous for its tea estates, exotic lush greenery and craggy peaks is located in the Western Ghats at a height of 6000 ft above the sea level. It serves as the commercial centre for some of the world’s largest tea estates. In addition, Munnar has many protected areas which are home to endemic and highly endangered species like the Nilgiri Thar and the Neelakurinji Flowers. The city tops the most visited place in India. The beauty of this place is immense with large plantations, wildlife and hill stations which makes this serene place a tourist magnet.
Munnar is one of the most beautiful and popular hill-stations of Kerala. Situated on the banks of three rivers- Mattupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru, Munnar is also blessed with natural view-points apart from the tea-plantations. Munnar is divided into Old Munnar, where the tourist information office is, and Munnar, where the bus station and most guest houses are located. The Eravikulam National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and tea plantations are its major attractions. Munnar is a dream destination that has evolved to be the perfect spot for people who enjoy trekking, hiking, wildlife, silence, peace and greenery. Munnar and its iconic greenery will always remain attractive to people who keep coming here again and again. Munnar always enjoys a heavy throng of visitors most of the time, but there are various places in the hill station where you can enjoy absolute peace and be one with nature.The Neelakurinji that blooms once in 12 years is well protected in Kurinjimala sanctuary located approximately 50 kms from Munnar. Located 14 km from Munnar Echo Point is situated right in the lap of a quaint lake and misty hills covered with lush green trees. As the name suggests, this place is well known for its enthralling illustration of the phenomenon of echoing. As you scream, it is fun to hear your voice reverberate around the attraction again and again.
During the early 19th century, the land of Munnar was under the possession of Poonjar royal family. Unfortunately, a border dispute emanated between Travancore (the Poonjar family) and Madras. It was John Daniel Munro, the British Resident of the then Travancore kingdom who arrived at the place to settle the dispute. When Munro came here, he fell head over heels in love with Munnar. After helping in settling the dispute, Munro visited the Poonjar family and talked them into leasing 1, 36,600 acres of Kannan Devan Hills to him for Rs. 3000 a year. He developed the land and in 1879 formed the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society. Munro was responsible for officially starting cultivation in the area and he started planting cardamom, coffee, sisal and cinchona. The harvest was okay, but failed to deliver the desired yield. Later, it was discovered that Munnar, with its cool climate and excellent soil was perfect for cultivating tea and this was how the saga of tea cultivation started. Munnar was the favored summer resort of the British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna, aroma of spice scented cool air makes this place a paradise on earth.
It is not a wonder why Munnar, with its pleasant and cool climate attracts people like a magnet every single month of the year. Even if other parts of Kerala experience sweltering heat, at Munnar you are always good. The tourism boom in Munnar started around the second half of the 20th century when people came flocking by the dozens to see the lovely hills and misty waterfalls, exotic flora and fauna, the sprawling tea gardens and indigenous wildlife. Visitors to Munnar couldn’t get enough of its beauty and its cool and refreshing climate and they began to bring friends and relatives. The popularity of Munnar grew no bounds and it soon became a portal that people considered as a wholesome vacation destination.
Pre Plannng:
Stay
Munnar being a popular tourist destination, ample stay facilities are available at all price ranges.
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Trivia
Munnar is a food haven for food lovers! All dishes here are cooked in coconut oil and garnished with crushed coconut. You absolutely must move out of your Munnar hotel and try eating food at a local food joint for the pure taste of Munnar.
Munnar has the highest peak of the Southern part of India called Anamudi Peak, which makes for an ideal spot for trekking. So, if you are a trekking enthusiastic put your shoes on and trek away! Also a a trek to Chokramudi is an amazing activity in Munnar. The trek to the highest peak can be divided into four parts—Shola walk, the grass stroll, steep climb and the dangerous terrain.
Munnar has a wide range of adventurous sports to offer including rock-climbing, rappelling, paragliding, trekking, cycling is just to name a few. Because of the natural beauty of the hills, these activities become more enjoyable.
Munnar has a wide range of adventurous sports to offer including rock-climbing, rappelling, paragliding, trekking, cycling is just to name a few. Because of the natural beauty of the hills, these activities become more enjoyable.
Mattupetty dam in Munnar is the largest concrete gravity dam built in the mountains of Kerala. The large amount of perennially available water allows wild animals & birds to flourish, and is also known to be one of the visiting grounds of elephants in the region. Boating in Mattupetty dam is one of the best outdoor activity for the nature lovers.
The 90 km sq Chinnar wild life sanctuary is unique with its floral, ecological, geomorphologic and cultural significance. Chinnar is a unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species. This sanctuary is one among the 12 protected areas of Kerala. Chinnar is located in the rainshadow region of Western Ghats and receives very less amount of rainfall every year.
Chinnar has about 1000 species of flowering plants and a wide variety of medicinal plants. You can sight here 225 recorded species of birds and also the endangered species of Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. Other important mammals that you can see here are elephant, tiger, leopard, guar, sambar, spotted deer, NilgiriTahr etc.
Thuvanam Waterfalls is located in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Thuvanam waterfalls is visible from the highway that connects Udumalpet and Marayoor. Thuvanam waterfalls is considered to be a perfect place for trekking and is around 60 km away from the Munnar town. Karimutty Waterfalls Munnar is situated in Marayur. It is located 42 kilometers north of Munnar.
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Marayur is the only place in Kerala that has natural sandalwood forests. The sandalwood is said to be of high quality, Marayur dates back to the Stone Age.These cave-like structures resting on vertical rocks are present everywhere – there are stone slabs resembling crudely-made boxes. There are paintings depicting the legendary wanderings of ‘Rama and Sita’ and the ‘Pandavas’ inside the caves.
Pothamedu view point, situated 5 km from Munnar is adorned with stretching hills and lush green mountains. One can witness the spectacular wide views of tea, coffee and cardamom plantations of the area.It is an ideal place to witness beautiful sunrises and the sunset. Idukki arch dam which is about 60 km away is visible from this view point on a clear day.
While you are in Munnar, visiting the tea gardens and cardamom plantations are a must.
Marayur is a farmer’s paradise located 60 kms from Munnar, is well known for traditional way of jaggery making. This traditional way of jaggery making is done in the work place called “alas” where the sugarcane juice collected is boiled to reach its saturation point, the makers roll it into balls manually before being taken into the market.
Tata Tea museum is set up at the Nallathanni Estate is a fitting tribute to the toils and rigours of its pioneers, who showed utmost determination & were resolute in their efforts to transform Munnar. The Tata Tea Museum diligently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates, veritably conveyed through some of the displays like the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory.
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