Munnar -Tourism

Munnar was the summer capital of the British in southern India. Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants by British although it was first discovered by Scottish planters. Munnar is located at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudra puzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Once, Munnar was the summer resort of the British government in South India. There is much more about Munnar that simply cannot be put in words. We totally informed about this magnificent hill retreat before embarking on a tour. Munnar is also known as the Kashmir of Kerala. The formal history was wrote since the 10th century; the first British who visits the area was the Duke of Wellington, in 1790, during the British Raj, at the same time also migrated to Munnar and nearby places was occupied by them.

The Munnar history began in the prehistoric, so prove the relics discovered around the area point of Stone Age civilization. A British lawyer and tea planter leased close to 600 sq. km of land around Munnar, which was then covered with thick jungle, from the Poonjar chief, a subordinate of the Maharaja of Travancore. He then cleared the jungle for Tea plantations. Then in 1983 James Finlay Group sold their remaining share holdings and the company became known as Tata Tea Ltd., the largest integrated tea company in the world. This land was later known as Kanan Devan (Kannan Thevar) Concession Land. Later in 1895, Messrs Finlay Muir & Company bought Munro's land and in 1976 Tata-Finlay Ltd. purchased it.

One of the main attractions of Munnar Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is a shrub that used to grow abundantly in the shola grasslands of Western Ghats in India. The Nilgiris, which literally means the blue mountains, got its name from the purplish blue flowers of Neelakurinji that blossoms gregariously once in 12 years. And the another attraction in Munnar is The Nilgiri Tahr. The Nilgiri Tahrs are stocky goats, The western Ghats run along the West coast of South India.

Now the area with all these attractions became in a great sightseeing spot for the visitor, and every time more and more tourists flock in this popular place in the hills. With this growing tourism, also increase the sightseeing activities and hotels for accommodation and comfort of the guest .

Altitude- The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) to 2,600 meters (8,530 ft) above mean sea level.

Climate- The temperature ranges between 10°C (50°F) and 0°C (32°F) in winter and 8°C (46.4°F) and 16°C (60.8°F) in summer.

Food- You can get variety of vegetarian & non vegetarian Indian, Chinese and continental food on affordable price through economic & executive hotels and restaurants.

Accomodation- Munnar having a good range of resorts, lodges, home stays & tree top huts for economical and executive style of stay.

Tourist Places To Visit in Munnar

Mattupetty (13 km from Munnar)- Situated at a height of 1700 Mts ,Mattupetty tourist spot munnar Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-swiss live stock project. Over 100 varietes of high yielding cattle are reared here.Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm

• Visit Time : 0900 - 1100 hrs and 1400 - 1530 hrs. 
  
• Rate : Rs. 5/- per head. ( liable to change)
  

The Mattupetty lake and dam just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed Launch and slow speed motor boats are available on hire.

Pothamedu (6 km from Munnar)- Pothamedu offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.

Devikulam (7 km from Munnar)- Devikulam tourist place in munnar This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience.

The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.

The Sita Devi Lake at Devikulam has a legend that Sita, wife of Lord Rama, took a bath in this thermal water spring, making it a holy pilgrimage place.

Pallivasal (8 km from Munnar)- This is the venue of the first Hydro Electric Project in Kerala and a place of immence scenic beauty. 

Vattavada- vattavada in munnar A change from the tea plantations commonly found in Munnar, the Vattavada region dominates in the plantation of vegetables, which occupy the terraced slopes and valleys there. Vattavada is located 50 kilometers away from Munnar, Kerala, India. This place greets you with its zigzag roads which offer you the sight of the beauty of its hills at every turn. 

Attukal (9 km from Munnar)- A panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long treks.

Nyayamakad (10 km from Munnar)- Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 meters. The enchanting surroundings makes an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.

Meesapulimala- Meesapulimala in munnar The second highest peak in the Western Ghats, Meesapulimala, is located in the Idukki district of Kerala, India. It consists of eight hills that spreads like a moustache, giving it its name. It stands at a height of 2,640 meters above sea level. The Meesapulimala Peak is abundant with lush green valleys, blooming Rhododendrons, pleasant tea plantations and flowy brooks. The peak shares the boundary with Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. 

Chithirapuram (10 km from Munnar)- With its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old world charm. Home of the Pallivasal Hydel Power Project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.

Lock Heart Gap (13 km from Munnar)- This is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.

Kolukkumalai- "Life is like a cup of Tea, to be filled to the brim and enjoyed with your loved ones."

Enjoy your cup of tea, with your loved ones at Kolukkumalai, the highest tea plantations in the world. Kolukkumalai is a small village located in Bodinayakanur Taluk of Theni District, Tamil Nadu, which borders the Idukki District of Kerala. It is located at a height of 7,900 feet above sea level. The tea grown here holds a special flavour and freshness as it grows in a high altitude.

Rajamala (15 km from Munnar)- The natural habitat of the Niligiri tahr ,Rajamala tourist spot Rajamala is 2695 Mts above sea level. Half the world's population of the rare mountain goat or tahr which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here.The Niligiri tahr in Rajamala are now to be found in small herds found in Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Niligiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated to be over 1300.

• Visiting Time : 0700 - 1800 hrs.
  
• Visitors are not allowed during the monsoon.
  
• Entry Pass : Rs. 10 for adults, Rs. 5 for children below 12 years, Rs. 50 for foreigners.( liable to change)
  
• Permitting Authority : Wild Life DFO, Munnar.
  

Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar)- The 97 sq. km. park is situated in the Devikulam Eravikulam National Park munnarTaluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. The Anamudi peak (2695 Mts) is located in the Southern region of the park.

Originally established to protect the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiri Ibex), the Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. It covers an area of 97 sq kms of rolling grasslands and high level sholas (evergreen forests). The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world.

Best Time to visit- You can visit Munnar throughout the year. But best time to visit August to May. The weather is extremely cold during winter (November, December,and January). Take extra woolen garments during heavy winter season.