| |
|
| |
Munnar is one of the most popular hill resorts
of South India. In the vicinity of Munnar, there are several
places of interest to the serious researcher, genuine naturalist
and the wandering tourist.
Mattupetty
(13 kms from Munnar) : The Indo-Swiss project, taking
care of over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle is one of
the largest of such ventures in India. The visitors are allowed
into 3 of the 11 cattle sheds in the farm. The Mattupetty Lake
and dam nearby is a popular picnic spot. The boating facilities,
including speed launch and motorboats provided by the District
Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and the sight of the sprawling
tea plantations, besides the farm, make this place a must-see
destination to the Munnar tourist. A beautiful garden with over
250 varieties of roses, 64 varieties of dianthus, innumerable
dahlias etc, is an added attraction. |
|
Kundala
(28 kms from Munnar) : The Sethuparvathy Dam constructed
in 1946 as a part of Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project is a
ravishing sight. The tranquillity of the place will never fade
from the memory of the tourists to this spot. Cherry blossoms
which appear twice a year and kurinji flowers which bloom once
in twelve years colour dreams even years after you leave the
place. Pedal boats and kashmiri shikaras are made available
to the tourists to make the memories of their visit everlasting.
Echo Point (15 km 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
(32 km from Munnar) : The sight of Tamilnadu state spread
before you on the east and the distant sight of the Arabian
sea on the west will remain etched in your memory once you stand
at this point which is the highest on the Munnar-Kodaikanal
road.
Power House Waterfalls
(17 kms from Munnar) : There is a lovely waterfalls,
which emanates from the legendary 'Sita Devi Kulam' near Devikulam,
believed to have been the bathing place of 'Sita' wife of 'Rama'
of Ramayana (the epic story that works even now as the cultural
unifying foundation of several nationalities in South-east Asia).
The visitors to the waterfalls believe that the medicinal and
curing powers of the water will act as a natural massage and
have curing properties. |
|
| Lock Heart Gap (13
km from Munnar) : The panoramic view of Bison valley
and other sleepy little villages thousands of feet below, wrapped
in mist most of the time, on one side and steep rocky slopes
with abundant wild flowers on the other side make this stretch
of Kochi-Madurai National Highway an unforgettable experience.
|
 |
| Anayirankal
(27 kms from Munnar) : Sprawling tea gardens surrounded
by evergreen forests on the slopes of high mountain ranges make
the Anayirankal Lake and Dam a very popular picnic spot. Herds
of elephants often visit the lake to quench their thirst giving
the visitors a rare opportunity of seeing elephants in open
place from safe vantage points. |
 |
| Pallivasal (8 kms
from Munnar) : The unparalleled beauty of nature and
the astonishing heights of human achievements meet at the sight
of the first hydro electric project of Kerala. A visit to this
place will satiate the body and the mind and will be etched
in the mind forever. |
 |
Attukat (9 kms from
Munnar) : On the way from Munnar to Pallivasal, nestling
amidst the misty mountains, is Attukat, an ideal place for long
treks. Cascading waterfalls, rolling hills and wooded valleys
enchant you and refuse to leave your memory for years to come.
Chithirapuram (10 kms from Munnar) : The middle ages
charm of cottages bungalows and courts with the greenery all
around captivate the visitor. Pallivasal Hydel-Power Project
and scenic tea plantations are the crowd-pullers.
|
 |
| Meesapulimala (25
ms from Munnar) : The second highest peak in Kerala (2650
metres), offering a splendid view of Tamil Nadu spread out below,
is reachable via 'Silent Valley', a picturesque tea plantation
area. Idukki, Mattuppetty and Anayirankal reservoirs can be
viewed from this spot on clear days.
Vagavarai (24 kms from Munnar) :
The hill slopes (Varai) covered with well-kept tea gardens
seasonally don bright red colours when the Vaga trees (Abhizzia
Lebbek) bloom all over the place. Between Chattamunnar check
post and the Tata tea factory at Vagavarai, hundreds of these
trees bloom simultaneously making up an unforgettable sight
for weeks. Vagavarai is famous for the first pepper and orange
plantations in Kerala and is also home to the first mini hydel
project of the state.
|
|
Rajamala
(15 km from Munnar) : The Nilgiri tahr, a very rare type
of mountain goat (Hemitragas bylocres) , on the verge of extinction.
Half the world population of this rare goat is seen in and around
Rajamala. The kurinji flowers blooming once in twelve years
abound here. The combination of these two rare sights will make
any visitor come again and again to this place.
Nyayamakad (10 kms from Munnar) : On the way to Rajamala
from Munnar is another paradise of woodlands and waterfalls.
This is a popular picnic spot with perennial waterfalls and
refreshing greenery.
Anamudi
(15 kms from Munnar) : Rising to a height of 2695 metres,
this is the highest mountain peak south of the Himalayas. For
those who like mountaineering and related adventures and for
the researchers in rare plants, this is one of the finest places
to visit.
Eravikulam (17 km
from Munnar) : A placid lake land-locked by the misty
mountains, grass lands with fascinating tiny flowers, and some
rare near-extinct animals are the star attractions on this world
renowned national park. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India
(2695 Mtrs) is a part of the park. |
|
Pothamedu
(6 kms from Munnar) : These hills, covered with 'patha
grass' are breathtakingly beautiful and most suited for trekking
and rock climbing. The vast tea gardens, coffee plantations
and cardamom planted woodlands unfold before the climber a soul-filling
sight he will never forget.
Marayoor
(42 kms from Munnar) : The relics and remnants of a new
stone-age culture (caves, paintings and under ground tunnels)
and places connected with the legendary wanderings of 'Rama
and Sita' (Ramayana) and the 'Pandavas' (the Mahabharatha) make
this place important historically archaeologically. The largest
concentration of high-quality natural sandal wood trees and
a sandal wood factory are the present day attractions.
Looking Back Though the prehistoric relics discovered around
Munnar points to Stone Age civilization, the written history
begins from the 10th century onwards. The Tamilians who migrated
to Munnar and nearby places during that period are known as
'Muthuvans'.In 1877, the Poonjar Chief, leased 588 sq. kms of
land around Munnar to one J D Munro, a British lawyer. This
tract was known as 'Kanan Devan Concession Land and cultivation
began in the land in the same year. In 1895, Messrs Finlay Muir
& Company bought this area and in 1976 Tata-Finlay Ltd.
purchased the land. In 1983 James Finlay Group sold their remaining
share holdings and the company became Tata Tea Ltd., the largest
tea company in the world. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
