Munnar (Malayalam: മൂന്നാര്, Tamil: மூணார்) is a town located in Kerala state in the southern Western Ghats in South India. Munnar was a summer resort of British government in South India. It is 1600 m (5400 ft) above sea level. It is pronounced “Moon-aar” meaning “Three rivers” in Tamil and Malayalam. There are in fact three rivers – Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru which flow through this town, but join some distance away from Munnar.
The neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region. It bloomed last in December 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2695 m.
The tea plantations and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station in Kerala.
Altitude : 1600 Mts to 1800 Mts above sea level. Temperature : Min. 0c – Max. 25c. Clothing : Warm Clothes and Rain Gear. Tourist Season : August to March
History
The entire area of Munnar , nearly about 556.44 square kilometer of land really belonged, and still belongs to the royal family of Poonjar and was given on lease for 99 years by the then poonjar King Kerala Varma in 1887.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 laborers for plantations throughout the area. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a small number of Malayalis inhabited Munnar. From the late 1890s till 1921, tea was transported down from Top Station by 24 inch railway and ropeway to Munnar for transhipment throughout the World.
Climate
The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,600 meters (5,249 ft) to 1,800 meters (5,906 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar enjoys a salubrious climate. The weather ranges between −5 ℃ (23 ℉) and 10 ℃ (50 ℉) in winter and 15 ℃ (59 ℉) and 25 ℃ (77 ℉) in summer. The tourist season is from August to May. However, even the monsoons are lovely with many streams and rivulets in the area. See:map
Get in
Munnar is 140 km (about 4.5 hours) from Kochi. Remember to budget a good 6 hours if you are driving up or down, since the road is blind in some places and there are a lot of trucks and buses that seem to drive as if they own the road. Although, the road is smooth (NH 49), it is narrow, twisty and curvy. Make sure you have a lite meal before you drive to Munnar on these roads, otherwise the next thing you will see on your dash board will be your last meal! Kothamangalam is on the way and is 80 km away from Munnar. Between Kothamangalam and next town “Adimali”, you can experience a beautiful cool drive through a natural forest. Alongside, you can see many refreshing waterfalls.
Once you reach Adimali, Munnar is just 30 kilometers away – but, it will take almost an hour to reach. Around 22 kilometers from Adimali, you can start seeing the tea plantations on both sides of the road and a panoramic view of the western ghats. The view is extremely beautiful during the early mornings.
Munnar can also be reached from Kodai Road, Madurai, Udumalpet. The drive to Munnar involves about 3 hours on the ghat section. There are 17 hair pin bends and traversing them can make you feel nauseated. However if you eat light while travelling you can enjoy the scenery during the drive.
Munnar is about 150 km from Coimbatore. Coimbatore-Munnar route is a very scenic route and though a bit longer is generally considered worth the extra time spent.
See
- Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park: 45 mins from Munnar. See Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragas hylocres) – an endangered species of mountain goats, rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills, rare flora and fauna, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years. The next bloom will be in 2018. One can actually debate if going to the high peak just to see some goats is worth all the effort or not. However, the walk along the park is very romantic and has some breath taking view.
- Anamudi Peak inside Eravikulam National Park: The highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic 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. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.
- Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Mattupetti Dam – 10km from Munnar, this popular picnic spot activities like boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day especially if visiting with children. You could take the speed boat ride which is fantastic. It costs 300 INR if you have to hire a boat for you alone. The ride is for 15 minutes. The maximum capacity is 5 persons and you could save some money if you are a group of 4 to 5.
- Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm – Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared.
- Echo Point – 15km from Munnar, on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.
- Top Station 37km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, has great views of the Western Ghats. Top station is the “top”-tourist attraction. This place gives a real ‘above the clouds’ experience. Regular buses go to Top Station (1 hr) from Munnar. A jeep costs Rs 400. The area is known for the Neelakurunji plant, which flowers only once every twelve years. The flower is violet.
- Kundala Lake – This lake is very beautiful amidst lush jungles. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is an awesome experience. Except at the place you hired the boat, don’t expect to find humans around the lake as it is surrounded by scenic jungles and hills.
- Atukkad Waterfalls – A scenic waterfalls amidst hills and jungles. You can find a road leading to Atukkad Waterfalls on Kochi road (just about 5 km from Munnar). This road is very narrow and needs a lot of experience to drive on.
- Salim Ali (Thattekkad) Bird Sanctuary, There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission Foreigners/Indian Rs 40/10.
- Marayoor – Around 40km from Munnar. It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forest Department of Kerala and a children’s park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree, all of which attract tourists in large numbers.
- Kolukkumalai Tea Estate – At a height of about 7130 ft, this orthodox tea factory lays claim to being one of the highest in the world. The view of the Western Ghats is absolutely enchanting.
- Blossom Garden – Houses many different varities of flowers. Tourist will definitely take away good memories from this place.
- Water falls – Check out several natural waterfalls on the way to Munnar. These waterfall carry fresh rain water. They provide an excellent place for all tourists to have photo shootout.
Wow, I seen it, Its a beautiful Place to visit.
i hv been this place its really heart touch place.
our hny moon place.
Its nice to be there.
such a good place, i like it ,very nice
Thanks for send me this beautiful image.
hi kollam nannairikkunnu
It is really, really wonderful. How nature can be such bountious and perhaps that is the reason the State is called God’s own land. But, what one really worry about is the greed of people holding in authority who leave no stones unturned in allowing complete denudation and acquiring of every available inch of government land through un-authorized, illegal means to construct their resorts. Actually, the curse of Kerala is the various kinds of Mafias – land mafia, manal mafia, kayal mafia, forest mafia, and the likes. Any how, time is not far off, all these wretched, vulterous, greedy and selfish people will ultimately find their eternal home – the hells fury.
this is realiy nice one.
whom tell the kasmir is heavan.
but kasmir is 1 heaven and this is 2nd in india aur earth.
Hello Everyone,This is a place for natural beautic spots.Top-Station is the place,just heading to sky almost,
Clouds moving around the people leaves a memorable experience who visists this place.For lovers of Natural Beauty,this may be the best place to see.Those who visits this place for first time,Their hearts will fill with pleasure,joy,…….
very nice place, iam eagerly waiting to visit this site soon.
I have been married to a Keralite and had the opportunity to visit Kerala many times. I have seen most of Kerala, including the places depicted above. I was not able to take such good pictures which made me feel a bit uneasy. Seeing these pictures brought back my meory and I am happy that Shruti sent me these pictures. They are simply out of this world. No wonder some one very righly said about Kera as the God’s Country.
Thank you shruti and thanx a million to the Photographer. They walked me into my memory lane once again.
Dr Y P Sharma
+919826543397
Of Course !! kerala is the one of the best place in india…..
thnks for such cool mail
i have been there for three years. munnar was a beautiful place but has lost its beaty in the pastfew years.govt has destroyed many buildings as they claim people have aquired the land illegally. as a result stay is a very big problem. itwas a problem even before. but because of this it has even gone high. you dont have much things to purchace apart from tea bag and spices. well spices they are bought to munnar from ernakulam. its much cheaper in ernakulam as well. there are some beatiful place stoo but most of them are not under the government and is with the private parties and very often you dont get a pass to get in
It is a nostalgic places………..
amazing piece world
good site of natural beauty and amazing tooo
I like this image………………………..so beautiful…………………..
gods own country really good for outing
It is really, really wonderful. How nature can be such bountious and perhaps that is the reason the State is called God’s own land. But, what one really worry about is the greed of people holding in authority who leave no stones unturned in allowing complete denudation and acquiring of every available inch of government land through un-authorized, illegal means to construct their resorts. Actually, the curse of Kerala is the various kinds of Mafias – land mafia, manal mafia, kayal mafia, forest mafia, and the likes. Any how, time is not far off, all these wretched, vulterous, greedy and selfish people will ultimately find their eternal home – the hells fury.
beautiful place
its my home town
strong+
lovely placxe full of God creted beauty
Thanks for beutiful imeg sendding my mail
i have been here
thanks to send me this beautiful place
i have been to this place in june 2007..
its the best place a home away from home..
the nature is at its best..
i wnna go here again..
the greenery and the foggy mountains are really beautiful..
and the never ending tea plantations are marvellous..
i stayed at tea county and east end hotel..
this is a must see place and i’m gonna go back to munnar again..
Its Wonderfull………………Very nice.
hi manoj h r u dear
It is really, really wonderful. How nature can be such bountious and perhaps that is the reason the State is called God’s own land. But, what one really worry about is the greed of people holding in authority who leave no stones unturned in allowing complete denudation and acquiring of every available inch of government land through un-authorized, illegal means to construct their resorts. Actually, the curse of Kerala is the various kinds of Mafias – land mafia, manal mafia, kayal mafia, forest mafia, and the likes. Any how, time is not far off, all these wretched, vulterous, greedy and selfish people will ultimately find their eternal home – the hells fury.
good sites! Though a Malayalee, I could not visit the place till today
thomas, bhopal.
I have been to this place, here we can realise the God,s creation, how graceful and hearttouching./
its a wonderful place and we can realise the God,s creation.
Heart throbe Place for Honeymoon
realy important information
thanks for .
It is so beautifull thk for sending this I will plan to go there its just amazinggggggggggg
i already went to munnar after seeing this picture it bring back the memories thank u for sendin this pictures
i thank the god to give us this beautyful places to enjoy. so please protect these places like this only
Amazing Places First thanks to who sent this mail very very great for showing this pictures now we are feeling that in world lot of places remaining to see great.
thanks It is really, really wonderful. How nature can be such .Its a beautiful Place to visit
I wish the whole of India becomes like Munnar – Clean and Green
This place in India ! wonderful, excellant God’s creation
wonderful.it was really really good
Hoe beautiful are the sites. Nature has provided mankind with an awesome splendor
its very nice
Nice place. To be lived for life with free from all worries. deserves to be ” GOD’S OWN COUNTRY”.
Palakkad district in Kerala is much better!!!
wow.such a wonderful place……
wow.such a wonderful place.
Munnar is really beautiful especially eagle county resorts….wow i dont know how to explains its beauty. i felt am at the middle of nature….
my uncle brought a resort from eagle county, Munnar. this resort placed near chinakanal lake and its climate is some what a special environment of greenary. Also its a better investment option because he is getting minimum of 20,000 permonth as earnings from them.
woww This place in india?? hoooooooo!!!! I can’t believe it. WONDERFULL…
Great ! Great! I Love My India . beautiful
wow it is beautiful , amazing & nice place
I went to this place as a college tour,its such a beautiful place i love it .These pictures remembering my college days and the happiest moments which i shares with my friends there.We entered in munnar early morning its fully covered with mist and driver was unable to drive the bus.Its a very beautiful place and my favorite place
i went to munnar very nice place to visit
Have planned to visit Munnar in August with wife and kids, we are eagerly awaiting for this trip.
I am really excited to see this beautiful place and the houseboat ride.
Suresh, Bangalore.
really nice
is image………………………..so beautiful………………..I Love My India …………………….
this site is good to know about all state
hi every viewers of munnar,
God has made a piece of art which is munnar
Such a wonderful,gorgeous,sightseeing,visiting place in southindia
I dont know about north india
As iam residing in south india
but nice plce to visit
i would be loved if i get a chance to go ther
Some how i will surely go there
If cant means… no not all
Atleast one time i will go ther
-Taha N l:-)
Hey indian people, you are living in Paradise.
May 14 th,2010
Really nice place,gods own country