Munnar
March 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Hill Stations in Kerala, Munnar
Mesmerizing Munnar
With its picture-book towns and winding lanes, Munnar has been rated as Asia’s second best tourist destination in the TripAdvisor’s 2010 Traveller’s Choice Destination Awards. Situated 1520 metre above the sea level, the hill station of Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala, lies at the convergence of three mountain streams- Mudrapuzha, Nallanthanni and Kundala. Today, Munnar is famed to be the ever most popular destination of South India. You can see the beautiful tea plantations carpeting the slopes, Munnar is a fabulous experience with its wide range of trekking and holiday facilities. Among the other exotic flora found in the forests and pastures, here is the famous flower Neelakurinji, which blossoms once in twelve years. Munnar is also adorned with the highest peak in South India- Anamudi, which towers 2695 metres making it as the perfect spot for campers and trekkers.
Top Station, which is just 40 km away from Munnar, is another jewel of Idukki. Positioned at 1700 metres above the sea level, this is the highest point on the Munnar – Kodaikanal road. It also offers the wide-angled view of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Pallivasal is a place which 8 kms from Munnar. This is the site of the first hydroelectric project in Kerala. Mattupetty, 14 km away from Munnar is another major tourist attraction. It is famous for its specialized dairy farm and Indo – Swiss livestock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. The Mattupetty Lake and dam, is an alluring spot. DTPC provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. There are uncountable fantastic places like Nyayamakkad, Lock Heart Gap, Pothenmedu, Chithirapuram, Devikulam Lake, Cheeyappara and Valra waterfalls, Meenuli, Keezharkuth that will definitely take away your breath!
The Cup that Cheers
The tea industry in India has a very important place in the Indian economy. There are many tea growing states in India but Idukki with 72.40 per cent provides the maximum amount of tea in India. Munnar is abundant with tea estates. There is a Tea Museum which will provide knowledge to the visitors about the manufacturing of tea, which is really very interesting! As we enter Munnar we are warmly welcomed by the rich fragrance of the tea and coffee. The sprawling Kundala tea plantation and the Kundala Lake are other attractions in Munnar.
The Wild Roar
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to Eravikulam National Park and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu. This terrain is spread across 90 sq. km in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats of Kerala. This sanctuary has a wide array of vegetation like deciduous forests, dry thorny forest, riparian shrubs and trees, shoals and grasslands sprinkled with plains, hillocks, rocks and cliffs which provide micro- habitants for varied forms of life. It is also well-known repository of medicinal plants.
The perennial rivers Chinnar and Pambar support a healthy population of grizzled giant squirrel. Chinnar has recorded the largest number of reptilian fauna in Kerala including the mugger crocodile. Recorded with 225 species of birds, it is one of the richest areas in avian diversity in South India. Other chief mammals found over here are elephants, tigers, leopards, guars, sambar, spotted deers, common langur, bonnet macaque and many more… the famous ‘white bison of Majampatti’ is the recent addition to the list. The phenomenal butterfly migration occurs in between the monsoons.
The most prominent and natural habitat of Munnar “Nilgiri Tahr” (mountain goat) is found here and it’s becoming extinct nowadays.
Munnar has long been a favourite with both Indian honeymooners’ and foreign tourists. Nature lovers usually make a beeline for Eravikulam National Park, which is home to colourful wildlife, including the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, ruddy mongoose and 120 species. Visit the heaven on earth as it offers a wide range of staying options including homestays, budget and star hotels and resorts.
Adventure
Munnar has been attracting adventure travellers, who are enamoured of the stunning topography, which is ideal for paragliding, trekking and rock climbing. Rhodovalley in Munnar provides a golden opportunity for trekking. Camping trips offered by the State Ecotourism Department range from one to three days.
• Munnar Fact File
Altitude: – 1520 metres
Languages: – Malayalam, Tamil, English
Annual Rainfall: – 12750 mm
Best time to visit: – September to May