Munnar

Mystical Munnar
Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams called Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, Munnar is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Located at 1600 Mts. above sea level, Munnar is characterized by clean, neat and brightly painted ambience inside the city. Beautiful landscape, cozy weather and wonderfully scented tealeaves are some of the other aspects that make this place a much sought after destination in Kerala.

Once the favorite summer resorts of the British during their reign in the country, Munnar today is one of the major centers for tea trade of Kerala. Surrounded by almost 30 tea gardens that give it a picturesque view, Munnar is near Anaimudi, the highest peak of the Kerala Western Ghats. The hills around Munnar are covered with the rare Neelakurunji plant giving it a wonderful look, especially when the flowers bloom to cover the entire mountain range. It is said that this exotic plant flowers every 12 years and the next scheduled flowering time is the year 2006.

History
In Tamil, the word Munnar means three rivers and as the place is at the confluence of three mountain streams, it got this name. In the year 1790, the Duke of Wellington became the first European to visit this site. Later, the Poonjar chief, a subordinate of the Maharaja of Travancore, leased 588 sq. km of land to J.D. Munro, a Scottish tea planter in the 1870s. Though the Scots left the place long ago, the tea estates still continue to be well maintained by private companies.

According to records, the first tea sapling was planted by A.H. Sharp at Parvathi, which a part of the present Sevenmullay area. The first plantation of tea was done on an area of 20 hectares (50 acres) of land. Initially, tea plantation was a big problem as the entire area was covered with thick forest inhabited by wild animals. However, now the area has been converted totally into a tea plantation region.

Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
Except the monsoon months that fall between June and September, Munnar can be visited the whole year through. It is recommended to take along a good number of woolens if visiting Munnar during the winter season. In the summers, a light sweater would be enough to keep away the chill.

Travel to Kerala - Munnar

A Tourists' Paradise
Munnar abound in beautiful landscapes and cool pleasant atmosphere. Besides tea and other plantations, the old-world charm of Colonial establishments attracts visitors to this place all the year round. To travel to Kerala and not visit this lovely postcard perfect town will be a sheer miss if you are a 'misty mountain hop' type. In and around Munnar, there are a lot of enchanting places to be discovered. All you got to do is give yourself a little time to discover life in its sweetest hues.

Pothamedu
Pothamedu is one of the major plantation hubs of Munnar and is situated at a distance of about 6km from the town. Views of coffee, tee, and cardamom plantations are excellent from this place. It is an ideal place for trekking and hiking amidst lush mountains, rolling hills and breathtaking scenery.

Pallivasal
Located at a distance of about 8 km from Munnar, Pallivasal is a place of immense scenic beauty. It also has the distinction of being home to the first hydropower project in Kerala.

Attukal
Situated between Munnar and Pallivasal, Attukal is an ideal place for trekking. The place is a feast for the eyes with its panoramic waterfalls and rolling hills.

Devikulam
Devikulam is an out-of-the-world experience among exotic flora and fauna, cool mountain air, and velvet lawns. An idyllic hill station, Devikulam is located at a distance of around 7 km from Munnar. The Sita Devi Lake situated here is an ideal picnic spot with its picturesque surroundings, mineral water, and trout-fishing facilities.

Nyayamakad
Nyayamakad is an excellent picnic and trekking point and is situated at a distance of 10 km from Munnar near Rajamala. Nyayamakad is a land of scintillating waterfalls with water cascading down from a height of around 1,600 metres.

Mattupetty Lake
Created by a small hydroelectric dam project, this lake is situated at a distance of around 13 km away from Munnar. The dam is flanked by steep rolling hills and woods all around. A cattle breeding centre-cum-dairy project (a joint project between India and Switzerland) situated here offers a realistic insight into the modern cattle breeding industry.

Rajamala
Rajamala is a precious but little-known place situated at a distance of 15 km from Munnar. It is home to almost half the population of Nilgiri tahrs (a rare mountain goat). In fact, the Eravikulam-Rajamala region is the natural habitat of this almost extinct species with around 1,000 of them staying here.

Chithirapuram
This small hill station exudes an old-world charm with its old playgrounds and courts, bungalows, and sleepy little cottages that point to its colonial past. Situated at a distance of around 10 km from Munnar, Chithirapuram is home to Pallivasal hydel power project.

Echo Point
As its name suggests, the place has a natural echo phenomenon. It is situated at a distance of around 15 km from Munnar on the way to Top Station.

Weekend Trips/Excursions
The Nilgiri region is known for its breathtaking landscape and natural splendour. Anayirankal is a well-known plantation site with some excellent views. Top Station offers panoramic views from an altitude of 2,200 metres. Marayoor Lake is one of the most known picnic spots in the state. Cheeyappara is a famous waterfall near Munnar. Meenuli is known for its large rock extending over an area of 500 acres. Nadukani is an excellent viewpoint.

Anayirankal
Surrounded by lush tea plantations and evergreen forests, Anayirankal is situated at a distance of around 22 km from Munnar. A visit to the splendid reservoir and the Anayirankal dam gives excellent views. Top Station
Situated at an altitude of 2,200 m, Top Station offers wonderful views of the valley down below and panoramic landscape. The hilltop is situated at a distance of around 41 km north from Munnar town on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. According to a local belief, the place derived its name from Middle Station and Lower Station, both lying down the valley, which were once connected to this place via a ropeway.

Marayoor
Around 40 km from Munnar, Marayoor has many firsts to its credit. It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forest Department of Kerala and a children's park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree, all of which attract tourists in large numbers. Some nearby destinations such as Thoovanam and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also of great interest.

Cheeyappara
Located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi-Madurai Highway, Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are a treat to the eyes. The fall cascades down in seven steps making it unique.

Meenuli
Meenuli is an ideal place for trekking with its huge rock extending over 500 acres in area and two acres of evergreen forests upon it. From the top of the rock, one can see the Lower Periyar Area, Bhoothathankettu and even up to Ernakulam on a fine day.

Nadukani
Situated at an altitude of 3,000 ft. above sea level, Nadukani offers excellent views of the Moolamattam town, Malankara lake, etc. It is a natural dream heaven lilted with green-clad hills, silvery streams, valley, and paddy fields. Enhancing the mysticism of the place are a beautiful lake and murmuring grooves, all promising a new life. You can encounter many rare species here like the hornbill, wild rabbits, spotted sambhar, jungle mainah and elephants, to name a few.

Accommodation
Munnar offers various accommodation facilities to suit every pocket. You may take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Munnar besides the star categorized accommodation hotels. Most of the hotels, resorts and lodges are strategically located in the tourist centers or near the railway station.

Reaching There:
Munnar is easily accessible by air, rail and road from the other major Indian cities and states.

By Air
The nearest airport to Munnar is at Kochi, 130 km away, which can be accessed by the local modes of road transport available from Munnar town.

By Rail
The nearest railhead from Munnar is at Kochi. The railway station can also be accessed from the town by the local modes of transport.

By Road
Munnar is accessible by road from most of the towns in Kerala. It can also be reached from Madurai (six hours) and Coimbatore (six hours), which are located in the state of Tamil Nadu.