MUNNAR THE LAND OF 3 RIVERS
Nestled in the Western Ghats, enveloped by mist & pristine green tapestry of tea gardens, Munnar is an idyllic hill station. Initially, the fertile land of Munnar was used to cultivate Zinchona, Cardamon and Coffee. Currently, the tea plantations overpower the economy of Munnar. Munnar is located at the confluence of three rivers- Kundaly, Nallathanni and Muthirappuzha. If waking up to music of birds, witnessing greenery all around and experiencing cold breeze is your thing then Munnar is surely the spot that you are looking for. It is a hill station in Kerala situated at about 130 km from the Cochin airport. Munnar is famous for tea plantations, hills and nature’s green backdrop. It was once the summer resort of the British in South India. Munnar is a part of the Western Ghats and has the famous Anamudi hill which is the tallest in south India.
Munnar has a lot of attractive sightseeing locations and is also known as the honeymooner’s paradise. It is not uncommon to see couples everywhere enjoying the scenic beauty and the cool temperature of Munnar. Though the name suggests 3 rivers, they don’t exactly confluence in Munnar. The 3 famous rivers that contribute to the splendid name of the place are Mattupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru. The tea plantations here were mostly started during the British rule in India and today the famous Kanan Devan tea plantation of TATA is found here.
Munnar is also home for several endemic species like Nilgiri Tar, the Gaur, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar etc. Ervikulam national park is a famous sanctuary here where you could find the famous Nilgiri Tar and several animals, birds and wide range of butterflies. The most important aspect of this sanctuary is that it has the Anamudi peak inside it. It is an ideal trekking spot, however, prior permission from the forest officials is to be taken for the expedition. Apart from the famous Anamudi peak, Munnar is also famous for the Kurinji flower that has the unique phenomenon of blooming only once in 12 years. I remember reading a novel by an Indian writer about the famous Kurinji flower and how important it was in the lives of the villagers. People in the past used to calculate and relate ones age with the blooming of the Kurinji. The fact that they considered nature as a part and parcel of their life and lived in complete harmony with Mother Nature made me overwhelm with happiness. The Kurinji is not a big flower, it blooms in groups and tends to cover most of the hill sides and slopes during its flowering season. Its blue cover makes the hills look like they have been covered by a blue carpet. Though it is one of the most extraordinary events that one can witness we unfortunately will have to wait until 2018 to see them bloom again.
Other famous areas around Munnar are Atukkad waterfalls, blossom park, Pothmedu view point, Mattupetti Dam, Eco point etc. Munnar is famous for its serenity and for its plantations. No wonder it is also a home for numerous resorts and hotels.
Main Attractions in And Around Munnar
Eravikulam National Park:
Eravikulam National Park is located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Eravikulam National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
Indo Swiss Dairy Farm:
Mattupetti Indo Swiss farm is open from morning to evening for the tourists to visit it. This farm is well looked after, as it is abundantly rich in nature. In fact, it is believed to be the nature’s paradise with Mattupetti Lake being snuggled close on the Idukki hills, which is extraordinarily a nature opulent district of Kerala. Cochin international airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 130 km, the Kottayam railway station is 142 km from Munnar and Mattuppetti is 13 km from Munnar by road.
Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary:
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats of Kerala, India., and represents a large number of plants and animals unique to the thorny vegetation. Apart from the dry thorn forests, due to the significant variation in altitude and rainfall, it has a wide array of habitat types like deciduous forests, dry thorny forest,riparian types, sholas and grasslands that are interspersed with plains, hillocks, rocks and cliffs which provide micro habitats for varied forms of life.
Anamudi:
The highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary inmajestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna.The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc.
Tata Tea Museum:
The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar and is worth a visit. Munnar has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s high ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machineries; all of which have a story to tell on the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar.Not only this, but much more about what all you desire for you perfect vacations or honeymoon, can be availed here. The best nature speckled beauty, long natural walks, drives, romance and grandeur will make your trip an ideal one.
Idukki Arch Dam:
Idukki Arch Dam is the world’s second and Asia’s first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. 550 ft. high and 650 ft. wide, the dam lies close to the Cheruthoni barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located close by. This prestigeous project of our nation is situated in Idukki District and its underground Power House is located at Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha.
Munnar has a lot of attractive sightseeing locations and is also known as the honeymooner’s paradise. It is not uncommon to see couples everywhere enjoying the scenic beauty and the cool temperature of Munnar. Though the name suggests 3 rivers, they don’t exactly confluence in Munnar. The 3 famous rivers that contribute to the splendid name of the place are Mattupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru. The tea plantations here were mostly started during the British rule in India and today the famous Kanan Devan tea plantation of TATA is found here.
Munnar is also home for several endemic species like Nilgiri Tar, the Gaur, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar etc. Ervikulam national park is a famous sanctuary here where you could find the famous Nilgiri Tar and several animals, birds and wide range of butterflies. The most important aspect of this sanctuary is that it has the Anamudi peak inside it. It is an ideal trekking spot, however, prior permission from the forest officials is to be taken for the expedition. Apart from the famous Anamudi peak, Munnar is also famous for the Kurinji flower that has the unique phenomenon of blooming only once in 12 years. I remember reading a novel by an Indian writer about the famous Kurinji flower and how important it was in the lives of the villagers. People in the past used to calculate and relate ones age with the blooming of the Kurinji. The fact that they considered nature as a part and parcel of their life and lived in complete harmony with Mother Nature made me overwhelm with happiness. The Kurinji is not a big flower, it blooms in groups and tends to cover most of the hill sides and slopes during its flowering season. Its blue cover makes the hills look like they have been covered by a blue carpet. Though it is one of the most extraordinary events that one can witness we unfortunately will have to wait until 2018 to see them bloom again.
Other famous areas around Munnar are Atukkad waterfalls, blossom park, Pothmedu view point, Mattupetti Dam, Eco point etc. Munnar is famous for its serenity and for its plantations. No wonder it is also a home for numerous resorts and hotels.
Main Attractions in And Around Munnar
Eravikulam National Park:
Eravikulam National Park is located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Eravikulam National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
Indo Swiss Dairy Farm:
Mattupetti Indo Swiss farm is open from morning to evening for the tourists to visit it. This farm is well looked after, as it is abundantly rich in nature. In fact, it is believed to be the nature’s paradise with Mattupetti Lake being snuggled close on the Idukki hills, which is extraordinarily a nature opulent district of Kerala. Cochin international airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 130 km, the Kottayam railway station is 142 km from Munnar and Mattuppetti is 13 km from Munnar by road.
Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary:
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats of Kerala, India., and represents a large number of plants and animals unique to the thorny vegetation. Apart from the dry thorn forests, due to the significant variation in altitude and rainfall, it has a wide array of habitat types like deciduous forests, dry thorny forest,riparian types, sholas and grasslands that are interspersed with plains, hillocks, rocks and cliffs which provide micro habitats for varied forms of life.
Anamudi:
The highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary inmajestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna.The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc.
Tata Tea Museum:
The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar and is worth a visit. Munnar has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s high ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machineries; all of which have a story to tell on the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar.Not only this, but much more about what all you desire for you perfect vacations or honeymoon, can be availed here. The best nature speckled beauty, long natural walks, drives, romance and grandeur will make your trip an ideal one.
Idukki Arch Dam:
Idukki Arch Dam is the world’s second and Asia’s first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. 550 ft. high and 650 ft. wide, the dam lies close to the Cheruthoni barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located close by. This prestigeous project of our nation is situated in Idukki District and its underground Power House is located at Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha.
