Munnar

Munnar Hills

Munnar (Malayalam: മൂന്നാ൪, Tamil: மூணார்) is a small town located at 10°09′N 77°06′E / 10.150°N 77.100°E / 10.150; 77.100 of the southern state of Kerala in India. The name is most often used to refer to the whole tourist area, of which the town forms a part. It is a very scenic tourist destination in Southern India. It is very famous for its tea plantations.

It is located at the confluence of the mountain streams Muthirappuzha, Chanduvarai and Kundala. It is surrounded by wild jungles and is wet and cold for most of the year. Though part of Kerala state, Tamil workers brought from Tamil Nadu and their successors are now majority in Munnar.

History

During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that time, most of the people around the area were employed as labourers for the various plantations. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a few Malayalis inhabited Munnar.

Most of the top positions in the estates were occupied by the British "Managers". A few bungalows were built for them and these are still in use. It is also believed that Munnar was a favourite place for the British who sought a cooler climate. Munnar is sometimes referred to as the "Switzerland of India" for its natural surroundings and Old World architecture.

In 2000, the Government of Kerala declared Munnar as a tourist spot. This has helped in attracting more tourists to this beautiful hill resort.

Area and season

The area is between 1,600 and 1,800 meters above sea level and typically stays between 22 °C and 34 °C. The tourist season is from August to March but is especially lovely during the monsoons, with little streams and rivulets all over the place.

Tea estates

The territory of Munnar is almost entirely occupied by tea estates and thick forest cover. Most of the people work in tea estates. The majority of the latter (approximatively 27/30) are owned by Tata Tea, one of the Tata Group of companies. The entire area is known as the Kannan Devan Hills, from which the famous brand of the Tatas gets its name. In April 2005, the Tata Group decided to divest its holding in the Munnar tea plantations, after which the employees purchased the plantations and are now running the same as Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited.

Munnar tea gardens.

Main sights

Unlike other tourist places in India, Theerthamalai doesn't have many artificial parks or gardens. However, due to its status as a tourist spot, few places have more visitors:

Munnar-Udumalai route

Kannimalai Estate - Tea factory visit (entry with special permission)
Pudukudi - Close to jungle and location of the Eravikulam National Park , where one can see the Nilgiri tahr (kind of mountain goat known as ibex). Tourists are not allowed during the breeding season (Mid-February through mid-March).
Chinnar - Wildlife Sanctuary, Crocodile bank.
Marayoor - Sandal Wood forests and plantations.
Sandal Wood Forests (sandal wood is considered sacred).

Munnar-Top Station route

Mattupatti dam - First concrete dam, which was designed and built in the mid - late 1940's by George Oommen, Chief Engineer with the erstwhile Travancore Government's Public Works Dept. (It was not built by the British as stated earlier). Boating is offered during the tourist season.
Mattuppatti Indo-Swiss Project - Rare hybrids, especially the Indo-Swiss hybrid of cattle, are bred here.
Kundalai - The Sethuparvathipuram Dam was the first masonry dam, also designed and built by George Oommen in the early 1940s. The Golf Club is now owned by the Taj Group of Hotels.
Kodaikanal - Fantastic high mountain vistas. You can see the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu from here.

Munnar-Theni route

Devikulam, a small town 6 km from Munnar which has the block panchayat offices and sub-jail.
Lockhart tea estate and valley (Harrison Malayalam Ltd., RPG Enterprises)which is a scenic on the way drive.
The Gap road; Which has a beautiful view of the deep valley below and a very narrow stretch of road on the NH49 (National Highway).
Suriyanelly (Harrison Malayalam Limited, RPG Enterprises), Chinnakanal (Faiyland Resorts)/ Periakanal tea estates. This is a diversions from the national highway no. 49 and ultimately leads to Kolukkumalay tea estate. kolukkumalay can be reached by local jeep taxis which can be hired at Chinnalkanal or powerhouse or suriayanelly.
Anaiyirangal Dam, Panniar tea estate (Harrison Malayalam Ltd.HML, RPG Enterprises).
Poopara, a small town enroute.
Bodimettu, the border between the two states namely Tamilnadu and Kerala. This is a very scenic place with a view of more then half of the Theni district in tamilnadu. There is a heavy wind always blowing at this place and can be a recommended place for wind power generation. The place has the Kerala government's sales tax and forest check posts.