Munnar
1. About the Place
Munnar is a destination, just right for honeymooners: Heavenly, exquisite and truly romantic. It is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. At 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
2.General Information
Location:
Idukki district on the high ranges of the Western Ghats
Altitude:
5000 to 8000 feet above sea level
Area:
26.2 sq km
Temperature:
0oC - 30oC, Summer-15.2oC
- 25.8oC, Winter-0oC - 10oC
Rainfall:
275 cm
Best time to visit:
September to May
Languages:
Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English
Clothing:
Woolen and cotton
Boundaries:
North: Coimbatore District; South: Pallivassal Panchayath; West:
Kuttampuzha Panchayath
3. Places to Visit
Pothamedu (6 km from Munnar): Pothamedu offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the cool mountain and the breathtaking scenery makes it is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.
Devikulam (7 km from Munnar): This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Pallivasal Kerala (8 km from Munnar): This is the venue of the first Hydro Electric Project in and a place of immense scenic beauty.
Attukal (9 km from Munnar): A panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long treks.
Nyayamakad (10 km from Munnar): Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of scintillating waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 metres. The enchanting surroundings makes an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.
Chithirapuram (10 km from Munnar): With its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old world charm. Home of the Pallivasal hydel power project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.
Mattupetty (13 km from Munnar): Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm - the Indo Swiss Livestock Project. Over a 100 varieties of high yieldingcattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm.
The Mattupetty lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty dam. Speed launch, slow speed boat and motors boats are available on hire.
Lock Heart Gap (13 km from Munnar): This is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.
Rajamala (15 km from Munnar): This is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat (hemitragas hylocres) which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here.
The Nilgiri Tahrs are today reduced to small herds found in the Eravikulam - Rajamala region. The total number of Nilgiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated at 1000.
Eco Point (15 km from Munnar): This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Eco Point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar): The 97 sq km park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. The Anamudi peak (2695 m) is located in the southern region of the park.
Sanctuary visit:
The park is divided into three regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area which is in the Rajamala region. The Nilgiri Tahr can be
observed at close quarters here. Visiting time : 0700 - 1800 hrs Visitors are not allowed during the monsoon.
Trekking facilities are available here. Tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi. This is also a place for adventure tourism.
Trekking areas :
Anamudi Rajamala.
Power House Waterfalls (18 km from Munnar): This waterfall on the way to Thekkady from Munnar cascades down a steep rock 2000 m above sea level. The spot is enriched with the scenic western mountain ranges, and is an ideal place for a break on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady.
Kundala (20 km from Munnar): Kundala is a picturesque town on the way to Top Station. The Golf Course which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd. is located here. The Kundala artificial dam is another attraction. Aruvikkad waterfall is also near Kundala.
4. Excursions from Munnar
Anayirankal (22 km from Munnar): It's a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirankal Dam is surrounded by the Tata Tea Plantation and evergreen forests. It is an ideal picnic spot.
Top Station (32 km from Munnar): 1700 m above sea level, this is the highest point on the Munnar - Kodaikanal road. The rare Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus) belongs to this region. This plant blooms once every twelve years bathing the hillsides in bright blue. Top Station also offers a panoramic view of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
Marayoor (40 km from Munnar): This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory of the Forest Department, the caves (muniyaras) with murals and relics from the New Stone Age civilization and the children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree are of great interest to tourists. Thoovanam waterfall and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also nearby.
Cheeyappara: The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. The Cheeyappara falls cascades down in seven steps. It is a real feast for the eyes. This is also a great place for trekking.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km from Munnar): Situated on the Tamil Nadu border, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 90.44 sq.km. Most of the South Indian wild animals can be found in this forest. These include the grizzled giant squirrel, Champal squirrel, elephant, sambar deer, gaur etc. The birds which are found here are jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl etc.
Access: Munnar-Udumalpetta Road: 60 km, Coimbatore-Udumalpetta-Chinnar Road: 100 km, Kochi-Chinnar: 190 km, Prambikulam via Pollachi-Chinnar Pollachi-Chinnar via Udumalpetta: 60 km, Kottayam-Chinnar: 208 km.
Visiting time: 07:00 - 18:00 hrs Entry passes are available at the office of the ACF or the Check Post Information Counter.
Permitting authority: Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wild Division, Painav/ Wildlife DFO, Munnar Ph.: 530487.
Trekking routes:
Palapetty-Champakad, Okarimutty-Inchapetty, Karimutty-Alampetty.
Valara (10 km from Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway): Valara has a chain of waterfalls surrounded by thick green forests.
High Range Club: Charmingly colonial in style, this clubhouse built of wicker and teak still serves as a social centre for the far-flung farmers of the region around Munnar. The club houses an elegant
lounge, a delightful dining room, the obligatory gentlemen's bar, a billiards room, a library etc. Entry is limited to members only.
Trekking points in Munnar: Anamudi - Rajamala - Meesapulimala - Top Station - Kundala - Devikulam.
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