About Munnar

Munnar is one of the fascinating hill stations in South India. It is part of Idukki district which is in Kerala, South India. Munnar is famous for its hypnotic greenery, beautiful mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air. Munnar, the Kashmir of South India is truly a picturesque hill station with its immaculate beauty. Altitude of Munnar is about 1600 Meters high from sea level. Munnar’s natural beauty attracts newlyweds and tourists throughout the year. Munnar is a perfect weekend hideaway location for local tourists during summer.

Munnar is at the merging of three rivers. The word 'munnu' means three and 'aar' means river in Tamil. The 3 mountain streams converging together here are Kundala, Madurapuzha and Nallathanni.

Munnar is also famous for the best tea estates in the world. Over 30 tea plantations are there in and around Munnar. Redolent tea gardens, misty mountain peaks and thick green forests blend harmoniously in Munnar. About 30 enchanting tea gardens are present in Munnar.

Anamudi is the highest peak in Kerala and also in South India.It is situated in Munnar and it's height is over 2695 meters. Anamudi is a perfect spot for trekking. Neelakurinji is an exotic flower found in the forest of Munnar. Munnar is also famous for Nilgiri Thar. More than half of Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres) - mountain goats world population is living in Munnar hill areas. The number of Nilgiri Tahrs in this region is estimated to nearly 1350.

History
The 1^st prominent individual who visited Munnar was the Duke of Wellington. Back then, Munnar was known as summer capital in south India for the British. Scottish planters discovered Munnar first, but the Britishers started cultivating tea. At the early stages of development of Munnar, only Tamilians worked there and also a few Keralites inhabited the area.

But then later on, more Keralites were appointed  as employees in estates and bungalows. British managers were the ones who owned these bungalows. Those people concerned almost all the prime posts. We can still see a couple of the bungalows that were constructed in the olden times in perfect condition at Munnar.

The ancient history of Munnar starts from the early Stone Age civilization. The available written history sets out from tenth century. Kannan Devan, the tribal chief of the local villages of the Anchanad, admitted lands to the northern high ranges in the early 19th century, which was under the Rajah of Poonjar.

The tea plant first was implanted in Munnar by Sharp A.H. at Parvathi. A British advocate and a tea planter called J D Munro leased roughly 600 sq.kilometers of land in the Munnar vicinity. This land was shrouded with a dense forest from the chief of Poonjar, who was one of the subordinates of the Travancore Maharaja. Then he cleared up the dense forest for the Tea plantations. Later, this place was called as Kannan Devan (Kannan Thevar) Concession Land.

In 1895, Munro’s land bought by Finlay Muir & Company. Then Tata-Finlay Limited purchased that land in 1976. After that in the year 1983, James Finlay’s Group traded their remaining shares and that company became Tata Tea Limited. Today, Tata Tea is the largest incorporated tea organization in the market.

Geography
Munnar is situated at the western ghats of Idukki district. It is about 2695 meters high from the sea level.

Munnar tourist attractions
There are so many places to explore in Munnar that visitors seem to remain there forever.

Mattupetty
Mattupetty which is nestled near to Munnar is one of the most attracting hill stations in South India. Mattupetty is a great place ideal for trekking and is a habitat to a variety of birds.  Read More >>

Rajamala
Rajamala is a fascinating hill station snuggled in the western ghats of Kerala. This picturesque hill station is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri tahr. Read More >>

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. Read More >>

Devikulam
Devikulam is a very pleasant hill station in Munnar. The cool air and green tea estates offers a memorable experience to the visitors. Read More >>

Chinnar Wild Sanctuary
Chinnar Wild Sanctuary is 60km away from Munnar on the Tamil Nadu boarder. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 90.44 sq.km.  Read More >>

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.   Read More >>

Transportation
Private vehicles and buses are available from all the major towns to Munnar.

Nearest Airports
Kochi which is 130 KM from Munnar
Madurai is 142 KM
Coimbatore is 167 KM
Kozhikode is 287 KM
Thiruvananthapuram is 302 KM.

Nearest Railway Stations
Kochi (Ernakulam) : 130 KM
Kottayam: 147 KM
Madurai: 162 KM
Thiruvananthapuram: 302 KM

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.

Food
All Kerala food items are available in different restaurants and hotels in Munnar.

Language
Malayalam, Tamil, English

Accommodation
There are Five-star and three-star hotels in Munnar. Also resorts with different tariff plans are available in Munnar.

Hotels in Munnar
Club Mahindra Holidayworld
Club Mahindra Lake View Resort
Chinnakanal Village
Suryanalli Via, Idukki Dist
Munnar,Kerala,INDIA
Tel: 04868 - 249224/226/227/228 (Off)
Fax: 04868 - 249227

The Siena Village
Chinnakanal, Munnar-685 618, Kerala, INDIA
Tel: 91 4868-249261,249461
Fax:91 4868 -249328

STERLING RESORT MUNNAR
Chinnakanal Village, Via Surianelli
Idukki Dist - 685 618, Kerala. INDIA
Tel: 04868 - 249206/ 08/ 10
Fax: 249208