Munnar
The beautiful hill station called Munnar, which is located in the northern region of Kerala, has a very fair climate throughout all the seasons. There is usually a consistency in the climatic condition across summer, winter, and monsoon. The average temperature of Munnar ranges from about 25 to 30 degrees for the most part. The amount of rainfall varies slightly, but it common during all months of the year.
The climate during summer is fairly pleasant, and the temperature is often in the range of 25 degrees. Slight rain can be expected during the season, and surprisingly, the temperature doesn't usually drop below the 20 degree mark.
Munnar
In local parlance, the word Munnar splits into â munnuâ and â aarâ meaning three and river respectively. The name Munnar, meaning three rivers, signifies the location of the namesake town as it is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams- Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
Located at an altitude between 1500m and 2500m above sea level, Munnar region is an enchanting combination of craggy mist capped mountain peaks, sprawling manicured tea plantations and rolling hills. With its hypnotic greenery, beautiful mountain scenery, expanses of undulating valleys, picture-book hamlets, silver cascades, Munnar has all the trappings of an idyllic holiday destination. Eulogized as the Kashmir of South India, Munnar was the summer resort of erstwhile British administration in South India with its crisp air and cool climate. Munnar is a picturesque hill station that attracts honeymooners and tourists throughout the year. It is a perfect weekend hideaway for local tourists during summer.
Munnar region is singular in certain other respects also. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, which towers over 2695 m, is in Munnar. Munnar is home to half the world population of Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas bylocres), the rare mountain goats on the international red list of threatened mammals. Munnar is also home to the spectacular mass flowering plant called Neelakurinji ( Plebophyllum kunthianum) which blooms in cycles of 12 years.
History
The early history of Munnar is vague as it was an unexplored area until the appearance of the British planters in the region. The earliest inhabitants of Munnar were the Muthuvans who have lived there for centuries. Named after Kannan Devan ( Kannan Thevar), a powerful landlord in the Anchanad valley, Munnar was known as Kannan Devan hills in earlier days. Because of its altitude, the region was also called as the High Ranges of Travancore. The unexplored hills, teeming with wildlife were discovered by the British civil servants who went hunting there. Munnar began to be largely peopled with the proliferation of tea plantation.
JD Munro, the British Resident, recognizing the agriculture potential of this land acquired about 580 sq km of land in 1877 on concession from Poonjar Raja and actually pioneered plantation in Munnar. The pioneering planters, who came after, experimented with various crops and found tea to be best suited to the area. It was in 1880 the first tea was planted in Munnar by A.H. Sharp in the area presently called Sevenmallay Estates. Most of the estates were acquired by Finlay, a European company in 1895 and they were managed by an important subsidiary of Sterling Company called Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company, set up in1897.
A disastrous flood and landslides consequent of a severe monsoon worked havoc in the region in 1924 resulting in heavy loss of life and property. It took decades to rebuild and recoup. Tata Group came to Munnar in 1964 and a joint venture with the Finlay Group lead to the formation of Tata-Finlay Group. In 1983, Finlay traded their shares to Tata and the company became Tata Tea Ltd. Tata Tea transferred the ownership in 2005 to Kannan Devan Hills Produce Co Pvt Ltd, a new company formed by Tata.
Geography
Munnar is situated at the western ghats of Idukki district. It is about 2695 meters high from the sea level.
Weather
Munnar is blessed with a nice weather through out the year. Except the monsoon in June/July, all the other time we can visit this exotic hill station. The weather of Munnar will be extremely cold during winter -December/January. The temperature often reaches zero degree centigrade or less during winter.
In summer temperatures range from a minimum of 13 C to a maximum of 24 C.
In winter, temperature falls to 9 C and a maximum of 15 C.
When to visit: September to May is the ideal season. Be equipped for cold climate.
Food
All Kerala food items are available in different restaurants and hotels in Munnar.
Language
Malayalam, Tamil, English
Mattupetty
Famous for the Indo-Swiss Livestock project, Mattupetty is situated at a height of 1700 m. This highly specialized diary farm rears more than 100 varieties of high yielding cows of modern breed.
Mattupetty Dam
This small hydro- electricity dam and its reservoir known as Mattupetty Lake, surrounded by steep wooded hills, is a haunt of picnickers. Boating facilities including speedboats are arranged by
Rajamala
Rajamala is home to the rare and endangered mountain goats (Nilgiri Tahr) locally known as Varayadu in the local parlance. The Rajamala- Eravikulam region is the natural habitat of Nilgiry Tahrs
Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park spread over 97 Square Kilometers and is part of Devikulam Taluk. The park is the home for Nilgri tahr. This park was declared as a sanctuary in 1975.
Devikulam
Nestled in the lap of picturesque mountains, this lake known as Sitha Devi Lake is considered to be the largest in the region. Legend holds that Sitha Devi, the wife of Lord Rama, took a dip in this pond. With a small temple dedicated to Sitha Devi, this place is revered as a holy place.
Chinnar Wild Sanctuary
Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to Eravikulam and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 90.44 sq.km on the Tamil Nadu border, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is singular due to its ecological, geological and floral specialties.
Marayoor
CMarayoor is an exotic and clean destination for any tourist. Marayoor is blessed with its rocky hills, water falls, rivers and small cave temples. Marayoor is famous for its sandalwood forests.
Echo Point
This beautiful spot located on the way to the Top Station from Munnar, got its name from the natural echo phenomenon here.
Tea museum
This museum has the singularity of being the only tea museum in India. The museum set in a century old tea estate provides all the information related to the history of tea in the High ranges.
Mount Carmel Church
Located at a vantage point on a mountain, this church, established in1898, is the first Roman Catholic Church in the High Ranges. The church is inextricably related to the major landslides and heavy flooding that devastated Munnar in the year 1924.
Kundala
Situated on the way to Top Station Kundala reminds us of a picture postcard town set in a scenic location. The tourists can make a visit to the Golf Course that belongs to the Tata Tea Ltd. The Kundala Club and its surroundings evoke memories of the colonial past.
Anayirankal
This place is an expanse of manicured tea plantations. The Anayirankal Dam and its beautiful reservoir is an ideal picnic spot.
Kolukkumalai
At an elevation of 7900 feet above sea level, Kolukkumalai is the highest tea garden in India. Located in steep, rugged terrrain in the upper reaches of the Theni district in Tamil Nadu state, close to the Kerala boarder, Kolukkumalai offers panoramic views of the sweltering plains of Tamil Nadu.
Cheeyappara
Located between Nariamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi â?? Madurai highway, Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls are delightfully scenic. The spectacular Cheeyappara Waterfall, cascading down in seven steps is a wonderful treat for the eyes.
Meenulim
The place is spectacular with a two-acre evergreen forest upon a massive rock. The rock, more than 500 acres in area, is a choice place for the adventurous tourists as a spot for rock climbing and mountaineering.
Malankara Reservoir
This beautiful artificial lake is an ideal place for boating and fishing. Located on the Thodupuzha â?? Moolamattam Road, Malankara reservoir is accessible by road.
Thommankuthu
Named after Thomban, a tribal leader, Thommankuthu is a delightful picnic spot and an ideal place for adventure tourism, famous for its seven- step waterfall. The story behind the waterfall is that, a tribal leader Thomban was washed away by the river water while crossing the river.
Keezharakuthu
Much loved by adventure tourists, Keezharkuthu is famous for the Rainbow waterfall that drops down a rock from a height of 1500 m. The verdant forest around this region abounds in various kinds of herbs and medicinal plants.
Ramakamedu
Located on the Thekkady â?? Munnar road, Ramakalmedu offers spectacular views of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats.
Air: Nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport.
Rail: Nearest railhead is Aluva, but Ernakulam Junction is bigger and better connected to other cities.
Road: NH 49 links Kochi to Munnar. Aluva is 120 km away. Take the Pollachi-Udumalpetta-Marayoor-Munnaar route while coming from Palakkad, 150 km away.
Also accessible from Thekkady, Kumily and Periyar Tiger Reserve by road.
There are Five-star and three-star hotels in Munnar. Also resorts with different tariff plans are available in Munnar.
Munnar is located on the eastern side of the Indian state of Kerala high in the Kennan Devan Hills. There are many reasons for this city’s popularity among tourists, not least of which is the beautiful mountainous landscape that borders the city.
Time Magazine has in the past recommended Munnar as “one of the best destinations in the world”. Pretty tea plantations stretching across the hillsides, low-riding clouds clipping the mountain peaks and nature’s abundance of colours combined with the cultural wealth and architectural diversity of the city are just some of the reasons why visitors are attracted to Munnar.
The area of Munnar is one of the top tea production centres in all of India. It was British settlers who first cleared the land to grow tea and the industry is still booming to this day. Interestingly, it is also one of the highest locations in the world where tea is grown.
Munnar is located only 130kms from Kochi, one of India’s major port towns, and 140kms from Kottayam. One of the most striking yet calming features of the area is the colour green. Wide-spanning areas of verdant land stretch as far as the eye can see, with hundreds of shades of green blending together in spectacular glory.
Many find it difficult to move away from the surrounding beauty that entrances and enthralls both locals and foreigners alike. Outdoor retreats and adventure sports are the main activities. A trip around any one of the local tea estates will offer you interesting insight into the production of this beverage, enjoyed by millions around the world. Nature treks, trails and retreats at a lake, forest or reservoir offer the perfect outdoor trips for groups and families. For those who like to enjoy nature from a slightly more adventurous perspective, paragliding provides a breathtaking way to take in the landscape.
Whatever your interests, there are few who can argue that Munnar is possibly one of the world’s most unspoilt and stunning destinations in the world, where time moves at an enjoyably slow pace.
History Munnar’s written history can be traced back to the 10th century. However, archaeological relics dating back to prehistoric times suggest that the area may have been inhabited as early as the Stone Age.
Munnar, in the language of Tamil, means ‘three rivers’. This name refers to its location at the confluence of three gently trickling mountain rivers.
The late 1700s saw the migration of the Tamilian people known as Muthuvans to the area, followed shortly after by the first European traveller, the Duke of Wellington. It was not until near the end of the 1800s that the first tea plantations were created in the previously untouched mountain lands. JD Munro, a British lawyer, signed a lease for 500sqkm of land to begin production.
At the time, the process of clearing the slopes for this purpose was a large task for the foreign settler to undertake. However, Munro took it on with great fervour and to this day the area remains one of India’s most successful and largest centres for the production of tea. In 1976, the land was sold to Tata-Finlay Ltd and again in 1983 to Tata Tea Ltd, which is the world’s largest integrated tea company.
Munnar’s land and the lifestyles of its inhabitants have been left greatly untouched by global modernisation. Visitors are often astounded by the spectacular beauty found here and indeed by the relaxed pace of life. Recently hotels and other tourist amenities have been erected but fortunately this has not spoilt the unique splendour of this natural oasis.
Weather The climate of Munnar is often a fabulous respite from the high humidity, soaring temperatures and surrounding pollution of lower lying cities such a Kochi. In winter months, temperatures can fall quite dramatically. There is no central heating and most warmth is found in outdoor fires, providing a special atmosphere reminiscent of being on a camping trip. Winter is a great time to travel to the area, as the rains of the monsoons have eased, the air is clear and crisp, and the people have a certain special energy about them.
Monsoon season in Munnar should be avoided if at all possible. Rains fall continuously for days and the lands are a messy mud-covered backdrop. The months of June to September see the heaviest rainfall and although the area is still wonderfully picturesque, there is little that can be done when the rain is constantly flowing.
If travelling during winter, make sure to pack a few winter woollies. Layering clothing is also a very useful way to maintain your body heat. Lighter sweaters and tops can be brought along for evening use during the warmer summer months
Pictures and more:
