Beauty of Munnar
Beauty of Munnar
Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country.
Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations pristine valleys and mountains exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests aroma of spice scented cool air yes! This beautiful destination has all these and more. It's the place you would love to visit it's the place you would wish never to leave.
Munnar is such a beautiful place in Kerala, which cannot be portrayed in a single canvas. Everything and anything here will make us excited. The hills, the mist, the valleys, the streams, the waterfalls, tea plantations, rare flora and fauna.... It is a beautiful tea town in Idukki district of Kerala easily accessible from Kochi and Coimbatore. The gorgeous hill station is ideally placed in the South Western Ghats of India. With an area of around 557 sq km, Munnar in Devikulam Taluk is the largest panchayat in Kerala.
Munnar got its name from its strategic location at the confluence of three rivers – Kannimalai, Nallathanni and Kundala Rivers. 'Moonu' means 'three' and 'Aru' means 'river'. The region is placed at a height of around 1,500 m to 2,695 m above sea level and was once the summer capital of the British in South India. Later it was developed for cultivating tea plants. The beautiful sights of acres and acres of lush green tea plantations will make us realize that we have at last reached Munnar and of course the place is so much known for its tea estates. It always carries the remnants of history of tea cultivation in Kerala. Neelakurinji or Strobilanthus has special status in the tourism map of this fascinating destination. The flower which blooms once in twelve years attracts lots of tourists from all over the world.
Eravikulam National Park and the Nilgiri Tahr is considered to be the icon of tourism in Munnar. The national park is also famous for its Neelakurinji population. In 2006, the place witnessed the rush of tourist both domestic and international to sight the rare flowers. Now we have to wait till 2018, to watch the same rush, to see the gorgeous blooming of the flowers after long 12 years. At this place, you can witness the highest peak in South India, Anamudi. A trekking to this peak will no doubt energise you. When you stand yourself on the top of this peak, you will feel that you are standing very close to the sky and very soon you can touch the sky. The lovely Devikulam Lake; Kolukkumalai (the highest tea plantation in the country); the waterfalls like Lakkam, Attukal, Nyayamakad, Chinnakkal, Kuthumkal, Cheeyapara, Valara and Thoovanam; the 'cattle village' or Mattupetty etc makes Munnar the abode of nature.
For shopaholics, this destination is a heaven – whether tea or spices. You can collect various spices from here like ginger, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, clove, nutmeg etc. Don't miss the homemade chocolates here. Enjoy the white, dark, liqueur filled and chocolates with nuts. Munnar is blessed with lots of resorts and hotels, which will cater all your needs. Among these resorts you can also find affordable and cheap hotels, which suits you the most. All these hotels and resorts will offer you various packages like honeymoon packages, family packages etc and will help you to explore Munnar in a perfect way.
History of Munnar
Modern day Munnar was carved out after a sequence of historic events. It is said that the Muthuvan tribal community were the earliest residents of modern day Munnar. The area was left untouched and unexplored until the latter part of the 19th century when a flurry of plantations came up in the area.
John Daniel Munro introduced the world to Munnar in the 1870s. He came across the place by accident. As the British Resident of Travancore kingdom, he was called in to solve a border dispute between Travancore and its neighbour Madras. He fell in love with this new found area immediately. Though the Munnar region fell under the jurisdiction of the Travancore kingdom, it was the jenmam (birth) land of the Poonjar Royal Family. Since it was a 'jenmam land', the royal family enjoyed absolute powers over the land as the landlord. Munro convinced the royal family to lease the land to him and started transforming the area. Munro formed the North Travancore Land Planting & Agricultural Society in 1879. They started the cultivation of crops, including coffee, cardamom, cinchona and sisal in various parts of the region.
Tea would replace everything else in the region soon enough with A.H. Sharp being the first to do so. Sharp planted tea in around 50 acres of land at Parvathy, which is now part of the Seven Mallay estate. In 1895, Finlay Muir & Company (James Finlay and Company Limited) entered the scene and bought 33 independent estates. The Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company was formed in 1897 to manage these estates.
Disaster struck the area in 1924. The monsoon that year was particularly bad. Heavy landslides and flooding destroyed the terrain. Many lives and property were lost. A lot of effort went into restoring the estates. It took the inhabitants a while to start re-planting the area. The Tata Group entered the area in 1964. They began collaboration with Finlay which resulted in the formation of the Tata-Finlay Group. Tata Tea Ltd. was formed in 1983. In 2005, the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company Pvt. Ltd. was formed and Tata Tea transferred the ownership of its plantations to the new company.
The tourism industry redefined Munnar in the latter part of the 20th century. Its natural beauty and rare flora and fauna started attracting people in large numbers. A number of hotels and resorts came up and soon, word about Munnar spread across the world. Today it stands at the forefront as one of the most popular tourist hotbeds on the planet.
Modern day Munnar was carved out after a sequence of historic events. It is said that the Muthuvan tribal community were the earliest residents of modern day Munnar. The area was left untouched and unexplored until the latter part of the 19th century when a flurry of plantations came up in the area.
John Daniel Munro introduced the world to Munnar in the 1870s. He came across the place by accident. As the British Resident of Travancore kingdom, he was called in to solve a border dispute between Travancore and its neighbour Madras. He fell in love with this new found area immediately. Though the Munnar region fell under the jurisdiction of the Travancore kingdom, it was the jenmam (birth) land of the Poonjar Royal Family. Since it was a 'jenmam land', the royal family enjoyed absolute powers over the land as the landlord. Munro convinced the royal family to lease the land to him and started transforming the area. Munro formed the North Travancore Land Planting & Agricultural Society in 1879. They started the cultivation of crops, including coffee, cardamom, cinchona and sisal in various parts of the region.
Tea would replace everything else in the region soon enough with A.H. Sharp being the first to do so. Sharp planted tea in around 50 acres of land at Parvathy, which is now part of the Seven Mallay estate. In 1895, Finlay Muir & Company (James Finlay and Company Limited) entered the scene and bought 33 independent estates. The Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company was formed in 1897 to manage these estates.
Disaster struck the area in 1924. The monsoon that year was particularly bad. Heavy landslides and flooding destroyed the terrain. Many lives and property were lost. A lot of effort went into restoring the estates. It took the inhabitants a while to start re-planting the area. The Tata Group entered the area in 1964. They began collaboration with Finlay which resulted in the formation of the Tata-Finlay Group. Tata Tea Ltd. was formed in 1983. In 2005, the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company Pvt. Ltd. was formed and Tata Tea transferred the ownership of its plantations to the new company.
The tourism industry redefined Munnar in the latter part of the 20th century. Its natural beauty and rare flora and fauna started attracting people in large numbers. A number of hotels and resorts came up and soon, word about Munnar spread across the world. Today it stands at the forefront as one of the most popular tourist hotbeds on the planet.
Very few people in the world can resist the allure of Munnar's tranquil breeze, row upon row of misty hills, magnificent array of plantations and a rare variety of flora and fauna. What started off as a summer retreat for the colonists has now turned into one among the most picturesque holiday destinations on the planet. This hill station is splattered with the right mix of nature and well-placed resorts, each creating the perfect vibe to simply relax and immerse yourself in the healing embrace of Mother Earth.
Munnar is the very soul of Idukki district in Kerala. The Munnar region is situated at an altitude of 1500 - 2500 m above sea level where the average rainfall is 275 cm. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, with a height of 2,695 m is the pride of Munnar.
Reaching Munnar
The State of Kerala, which boasts of three international airports, has an excellent network of roads and railway lines. The nearest airport to Munnar is the Cochin International Airport at a distance of around 119 km. International travellers directly heading to Munnar, usually prefer Ernakulam Town, near the Cochin International Airport, as the starting point for their journey to Munnar.The nearest railhead is Ernakulam Junction, about 120 km away. Public transport services are available to Munnar from almost all major bus stations in the State.
CSI Church in Munnar and its history
A century-old church, owing its legacy to the British tea planters in Old Munnar, is a place where visitors from Britain, who are the third or fourth generation descendants of the planters, arrive to find the life their ancestors led in a far away land.
The present CSI church, built in 1910, is well preserved. It was constructed using rough hewn granites in Gothic style. The stained glasses on the sides of the church depict the saints and Biblical characters. It has a number of memorial brass plaques with the names of prominent planters inscribed on them.
One plaque reads, “In memory of Lee William Alexander, who worshiped here till Ju1y 1925, died on January 4, 1944.” Some others read, “In memory of Marjorie Innes”; “Archibald Williams”, and so on.
Cemetery of the church
The mortal remains of Thangasamy Nadar were buried in this cemetery. The history of the church is linked to the missionaries who arrived here. The first to be buried was young Ilianor Knight, wife of Henry Knight, supposedly a missionary, and who is believed to have died of malaria in 1899.
Every love story is beautiful but the story of Eleanor Isabel and Henry Mansfield Knight will remain etched in your hearts once you visit Munnar.
Eleanor Isabel was the wife of Henry Mansfield Knight, an English man who served as the manager of Kanan Devan tea plantation in Munnar during the British rule. The couple came to Munnar for their honeymoon after tying the knot in November 1894.
Overawed by the magical beauty of Munnar, she playfully asked her beloved to bury her body on the hilltop after her death. Sadly, she fell ill the next day and died of cholera two days before Christmas the same year, at the age of 24. With immense love and an aching heart, Knight buried his wife’s body on the hilltop to fulfill her wish.
Oozing old world charm and standing tall, the century-old C.S.I. Christ Church was originally built by Henry Knight in memory of his wife, in front of a small hill where she was buried. Later a cemetery was constructed in the vicinity, exclusively for British planters.
The church was built in memory of her in front of a small hill where she was buried, later making it an exclusive cemetery for British planters. Before the church was constructed, there was a cemetery at the back of the present structure where many Britishers were laid to rest. History records that the work of the church was completed and dedicated on April 16, 1911. An in-house publication of Tata-Finlay Ltd “Hundred Years of Tea Planting,” says that the church provided refuge for many during the heavy floods in Munnar in 1924. It was the first place people reached for refuge as it is on a hill and near the then main town.
It is reported that young people from Britain used to come to Munnar only to visit the church. A few tombs have the names of persons buried there written on them, and their descendants come with details of those buried there.
“It is part of Munnar’s history and attracts tourists, especially foreigners and the church is maintained well”, said Riju Varghese, a former staffer of the church.
As one courses through the history of Munnar, where the Britishers introduced the rope way, railway and even the first motor bike, one finds many such monuments to its glorious past.
Carrying the legacy of a century, C.S.I Christ Church is the most revered place of worship in Munnar. It was constructed in 1910 using hewn granites and has various memorial brass plaques. Designed in the Gothic style of architecture, this Christ church has stained glasses depicting Biblical characters. Various third and fourth generation descendants of British planters still visit this attraction in Munnar to trace the history of their ancestors. Today, it is the head of CSI Munnar Pastorate with over a thousand Tamil families and 18 churches. You can capture the serene surroundings of the church and its ancient history with your camera. It makes for a rather captivating click.
The road from Rajamala to Marayoor is flanked by lush green tea estates. As you drive by, there are occasional waterfalls. Then you come across the sandalwood forest. First, the trees appear one by one, and soon these turn into a sea. The air is cool and one comes under the rain shadow area. Marayoor houses the ‘muniyaras’ or the stone coffins with underground tunnels, which date back to the Neolithic period. These cave-like structures resting on vertical rocks are present everywhere - they are stone slabs resembling crudely-made boxes. There are paintings depicting the legendary wanderings of ‘Rama and Sita' and the 'Pandavas' inside the caves.
Descending the hill, one can see the cane crop in the valley below dancing in the wind. A park named Rajiv Gandhi National Park is an ideal picnic spot nearby . A children's park formed under the canopy of a single Banyan tree spreads across a hectare of land and is a wonderful sight. Then there is the Thoovanam Waterfalls where one can spend endless hours romancing with nature.
Marayoor is inhabited by a group of tribals who are primarily engaged in agriculture. The temperature in summer goes up to 30 degree Celsius while the winter temperature can come down to as low as 8 degree Celsius.
It is one of the main towns in the district of Idukki. This place can also be accessed from Pollachi / Palani in Tamilnadu and from Munnar. Tourists can find a good number of accommodation facilities as well as shopping facilities at Marayur and in Munnar.
Sandalwood & its utility
Sandalwood, the famous aromatic wood is yielded by the family of trees belonging to the genus Santalum. This particular wood which is heavy , fine-grained and yellow in color, retains its fragrance for decades. The sandalwood fragrance is very distinctive and is used in countless applications including utility and decoration. Sandalwood has been valued and treasured for many years for its fragrance, carving, medicinal and religious qualities.
To get commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrant oils, the Santalum trees need to be at least eight years of age and ideally fourteen years of age. Unlike most trees, sandalwood is harvested by toppling the entire tree instead of sawing them down at the trunk. This way, valuable wood from the stump and root can also be sold or processed for oil.
Sandalwood paste is integral to rituals and ceremonies, to mark religious utensils and to decorate the icons of the deities worshipped. It is also distributed thereafter to devotees, who apply it to the forehead or the neck and chest. Preparation of the paste is considered a duty fit only for the pure, and is therefore entrusted in temples and during ceremonies only to priests.
The paste is prepared by grinding pieces of the wood by hand upon granite slabs shaped for the purpose. With slow addition of water a thick paste results, which is mixed with saffron or other such pigments to make the aromatic ‘chandan’. Sandal is also used in perfumes and to coat incense sticks. In medicine, sandalwood essential oil, which is very expensive in its pure form, is used primarily for ayurvedic purposes and treating anxiety. Sandalwood curios and fancy décor items are also available in the market.
Best places for tourists visiting Munnar
1 Mattupetty Dam:
One of the major tourist attractions in Munnar, this water reservoir in Idukki district is located around 13km from the heart of the hill station. Tucked away amidst towering hills and mountains, it serves as a primary source of hydroelectricity in the region.
Owing to the availability of water around this concrete gravity dam, an exotic range of flora and fauna thrives around it. If luck favours, you can also spot Asiatic Elephants visiting this dam-site in search of water and food. Furthermore, Mattupetty Dam also serves as an ideal sightseeing destination and a wonderful place for birdwatching.
2 Kundala Lake:
Nestled amidst rolling hills and mountains, this artificial lake is located around 20km from Munnar, and is known for its bountiful beauty. With the Kundala Arch Dam as the source of water, this lake at an elevation of 1,700m is known for its enchanting beauty and charm.
On your visit to Kundala Lake, you can enjoy leisure activities like boating and explore the miraculous beauty of the region. For nature lovers, this lake serves as a hotspot. The hills and valleys surrounding Kundala Lake is also the home to ‘NeelaKurunji’, a flower that blooms once in twelve years. Adding more to this, visitors can also delight in the swaying beauty of cherry blossoms around the dam.
3 Top Station:
If you want to enjoy panoramic views of the Western Ghats and some of the most gorgeous valleys in Munnar, you must visit Top Station. Around 40km from the hill station, this tourist spot is also a part of Tamil Nadu, and serves as a major tourist spot in Kerala as well as Tamil Nadu.
Being the highest point with a railway station, it has been names such. During the historic times, it served as a tea carrying point from Munnar and nearby Madupatty region. For the adventure lovers, they can embark on a trekking expedition to Top Station through Central Village.
4 Mattupetty Dairy Farm:
The Mattupetty vicinity is also known for its Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Visiting this farm gives an insight of how livestock are managed and nurtured to produce top quality dairy products.
A visit to this Indo-Swiss dairy farm should not be missed at any cost; its locale makes it one of most picturesque places to visit in Munnar.
5 Echo Point:
While searching for most stunning places to visit in Munnar, you will surely come across Echo Point. Located around 15k from the hill station, it is also known as one of the most mystical places to visit in Munnar.
6 Eravikulam National Park:
Spreading across 97sq.km, Eravikulam National Park is the home to endangered NilgiriTahrs. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is located within a close proximity to Munnar; around 15km, and is among the must visit places in Munnar.
A treasure trove for the nature and wildlife lovers, the park also serves as the abode to Anamudi Peak (2,695m) or the highest peak in South India. On a visit to Eravikulam National Park, you can easily spot some of the most exotic as well as endangered wildlife species. To name a few, you can spot Indian Muntijac, Golden Jackal, Tiger, Leopard, Nilgiri Langur, and several others.
7 Tea Museum:
A visit to Munnar is not only about the swaying beauty of Mother Nature! A journey to this gorgeous hill station also offers a lively glimpse of how the tea culture flourished across South India.
And to know more about this century old culture, you must visit the Tea Museum in Munnar. From plucking of the leaves to processing and packing them, you will get an opportunity to know more about the tea industry and reveal some of the most fascinating facts about this industry.
8 Attukad Waterfalls:
Tucked away between Munnar and Pallivasal in Idukki district of Kerala, Attukad Waterfalls is in fact one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the entire state! Nestled amidst lush and evergreen forests, the view of this cascade is enough to behold all your senses and allure you to fall in love with its enchanting beauty!
Also a sought after destination among the adventure junkies, its rugged terrains entices trekkers from across the globe. Nature lovers, photographers and leisure seekers can also satiate all their yearnings with a visit to Attukad Waterfalls in Munnar.
9 Blossom International Park:
A visit to Munnar without Blossom International Park in the itinerary is not at all justified! Home to some of the rare and exotic flowers, this 16acres parkland boasts of its luscious beauty and alluring charm.
A major tourist spot in Munnar, this park is also a hub for the thrill and leisure seekers. On a visit to Blossom International Park, you can participate in activities like boating, nature walks, birdwatching, adventure trails, roller skating, and several others.
10 Lakkom Waterfall:
On your way to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary; which is around 60km from Munnar, you can take a diversion to this stunning cascade called Lakkom Waterfalls. An added charm to the list of places to visit in Munnar, it boasts of its surreal beauty and evergreen vistas.
An ideal spot for all types of visitors, Lakkom Waterfall originates from Eravimala Plateau and descends down to form the Pambar River. Though the top of the cascade is not accessible, visitors can make it to its base and feast on its magical beauty.
11 Pothamedu View Point:
Located only 3km from the heart of Munnar, Pothamedu ViewPoint serves as the most perfect tourist spot to unravel the alluring beauty of Munnar’s scenic hills and lush greeneries. A nature lover’s heaven, a hotspot for the adventure freaks, a paradise for shutterbugs, and a treasure trove for the picnic goers, this vantage point offers promising views of the nearby locales.
Adding more, the seclusion and tranquillity that exists in Pothamedu Viewpoint, can be hardly found in any other view points in the entire of God’s Own Country. On your visit to this vantage point, you may also get to revel in the stunning views of Muthirapuzha River along with Idukki Arch Dam (60km), and many of the evergreen plantations in Munnar.
12 Marayoor Dolmens:
Do you believe in time-travelling or is it at least possible now to time travel? Well, finding the answer may take another century or less, but if you happen to visit Marayoor hamlet in Munnar, you can surely behold the fascinating beauty of stone structures that date back to the Stone Age!
Believe it or not, Mooriyar village is dotted with remnant called Dolemns that are believed to be more than thousand years’ old. Each of these structures have four gigantic rock cuttings serving as supporting with another massive stone on top of them. If you are history digger, this is surely the place for you!
13 Anamudi:
An astounding peak that cuddles the clouds, Anamudi Peak rises up to 8,842ft and is famed as the highest peak in the entire of South India. A part of the mighty Western Ghats, this fascinating peak is a dream come true destination for the trekkers and hikers alike.
Also called the ‘Everest of South India’, Anamudi Peak resembles much to an elephant’s head. While its steep and rugged trails attracts thrill seekers, its bewildering beauty enchants nature lovers and photographers in a large number.
14 Lockhart Gap:
Do you believe in fairy tales? If not, a visit to Lockhart Gap will make you believe in fairies and their tales! Located around 13km from the heart of Munnar, this vantage point serves as a befitting spot to enjoy panoramic views of Munnar’s unadulterated beauty and charm.
Lockhart Gap is basically a heart shaped gap between two nearby mountains, and thus, it is also called Lock Heart Gap by many. Whether you are a nature lover or adventure freak, you would surely fall in love with this surreal vantage point.
15 Cheeyapara Waterfalls:
While traversing the NH-49 or the Kochi-Madurai Highway, you will come across this enchanting waterfall. With water flowing down in seven tiers, Cheeyapara Waterfalls is around 42km from Munnar, and is a must visit destination while visiting the hill station.
A treasure trove for the nature lovers, the waterfall also serves as an ideal spot to spend fun times with family and friends. Trekkers and hikers find this place a picture-perfect destination to unravel the bountiful beauty of Kerala.
Courtesy: Kerala Tourism