Famous
for Being one of the most popular hill stations in India and also
called as Kashmir of south India that is Munnar. Situated at the
foots of three merging mountain streams viz. Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni
and Kundala this beautiful place located at well over 1600 Mts.
above sea level act as a true natural beauty provider to the state
of Kerala. Munnar was once the summer resort of the erstwhile
British Government in south India. Sprawling Layer after layer of
lush tea gardens with local women collecting the best of leaves for
the tea, mountain covered in mist, waterfalls and forest sanctuaries
make Munnar almost unrealsticaly beautiful, picturesque book towns,
winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make visting Munnar a
unique experience.
Among the exotic flora that covers the mountains, forests and
grasslands of Munnar is the Neelakkurinji a flower which covers the
hills in blue Colour once every twelve years. The Neelakkurinji,
will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the distinction of
having the highest peak in south India, Anamudi, which towers over
2695 M and is an ideal spot for campers.
These high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan
Hills, named after a certain Kannan Devan, who was the land lord in
the Anchanad Valley on the eastern side of the district. The main
cultivation crops in Munnar are Tea and Coffee.
Places of Tourist Interests:
Mattupetty (13 km from Munnar)
Situated at a height of 1700 m , Mattupetty is famous for its
highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-swiss live stock project.
Over 100 varietes of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors
are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm.
Pothamedu (6 km from Munnar)
Pothamedu offers excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom
plantations of Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the
breathtaking scenery are 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.
Rajamala (15 km from Munnar)
The natural habitat of the Niligiri tahr , Rajamala is 2695 m above
sea level. Half the world's population of the rare mountain goat or
tahr which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here. The Niligiri
tahr in Rajamala are now to be found in small herds found in
Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Niligiri Tahrs in
Rajamala is estimated to be over 1300.
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. Originally established to protect the
Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiri Ibex), the Eravikulam National Park is
situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. It was
declared as a sanctuary in 1975.