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Munnar - Haven For Nature Enthusiasts
Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams, Mudrapuzha,
Nallathani and Kundala, Munnar combines all the beauty and attractions of a
hill station. The name Munnar (three rivers) is derived from this geographical
peculiarity. It is on the western ghats of Kerala at about 1600 meters above
the sea level.
For the British, it was a favourite location
in the colonial India as its peculiar climate made this place a natural habitat
for them. Now this place offers a unique experience to all those who want to
take off from their busy urban schedule.
There is enough room for travel, sightseeing,
adventure and romance in Munnar. The thick natural forest around the town is
a treasure trove of natural resources. Again the beauty of the lakes and reservoirs
offers a rare watch. The tea estates in Munnar that produce several quality
brands are testimonials for man's fruitful co-existence with nature.
For the adventure lovers, there is the
forest and mountain ranges for trekking and rivers for swimming and rafting.
Anamudi, the highest peak in South India is situated here. It is 2695 metres
above the sea level.
The most attractive place for nature lover
will be probably the Eravikulam National Park that lies at the crest of the
Anamalai ranges spreading over 97 square kms of evergreen tropical forest. One
may come across rare species of animals and birds here.
There are the Nilgiri Tahr, the rare breed
of mountain goats in the world and various types of monkeys like the Nilgiri
languor and lion-tailed macaque. There are also elephants, sambars, wild dogs,
leopards and tigers.
The Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary has more
wild animals like elephants, leopards, bears, guars, sambars, spotted deers,
boars etc. This sanctuary, boarding Tamil Nadu is situated 60 kilometres away
from Munnar and spreads over an area of 92.44 square kilometres.
Near the Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary, there
is a small town called Marayoor. This place is famous for its sandalwood as
it is the only place in Kerala which has a natural growth of sandalwood.
If sandal is the specialty of Marayoor,
the rare high-yielding cattle makes Mattupetty famous. Mattupetty has a highly
specialised diary farm and is situated at an elevation of 1700 metres and 13
kilometres away from Munnar.
About 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle
are reared here. Other attractions of this place are the beautiful Mattupetty
Lake and a dam.
Those who have heard about Neelkurunji
(Strobilatanthes) flowers must have heard about Top Station, the top most point
on Munnar - Kodaikanal road. It is 32 kilometres away from Munnar. Neelakurinji
is a rare and attractive flower. Its plant takes eight to 12 months to flower.
The flowering season lasts for about one
month. Another famous hill station is Devikulam, which is 16 kilometres away
from Munnar. Apart from the Sitha Lake filled with mineral water, the greeny
surroundings and cool mountain air make this place attractive.
Munnar has all the resources that are required
for an ideal picnic spot. With more development projects coming up in the tourism
sector it is all set to attain the status of an ultimate destination of nature
lovers.
Accessing Munnar
- Bus timings from Munnar (KSRTC enquiry Ph: 530201)
Thekkady: 06:30, 12:00, 14:30, 15:00 hrs (4 hours) Thiruvananthapuram: 08:40
hrs via Alappuzha; 10:30 hrs via Kottayam; 11:40 hrs via Alappuzha; 12:15
hrs via Kottayam; 15:30 hrs via Kottayam (8 hours time) Thrissur: 13:30 hrs
- Palakkad: 15:00 hrs
- Top Station: Daily 8 buses - First trip - 07:30,
Last trip - 18:30 hrs (1 hr)
- Ernakulam: Daily 8 buses - First trip - 05:30, Last
trip - 21:50 hrs (4 hours)
- Madurai: 14:30 hrs (6 hours)
- Coimbatore: 06:30, 15:45 hrs (6 hours)
- Chinnar: Daily 8 buses (3 hours). First trip: 06:30
hrs, Last trip: 18:00 hrs
- Tourist Information Offices:
- District Tourism Office, Kumily Ph: 322620
- DTPC, Information Centre, Old Munnar Ph:
530679 530682
- Boating: Munnar - DTPC boating facilities at Old
Munnar. Ph: 530679 530682.
- Altitude: 5,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level
- Temperature: 0 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius
(Summer: 15.2 degree Celsius - 25.8 degree Celsius, Winter: 0 degree Celsius
- 10 degree Celsius)
- Rainfall: 275 cm.
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A confluence of three river systems - literally speaking - that's what
Munnar means. Not surprising then that Munnar is dotted with lakes, reservoirs
and mountain streams. Set in the western ghats, Munnar through some fortuitous
geography is conveniently close to a host of great attractions. Wildlife
sanctuaries, an exotic sandalwood forest, a bird sanctuary, enchanting
hill stations, and Asia's first and breathtaking arch-dam.
Just driving along its meandering country roads, on a sparkling summer
day, is itself a trip for all the senses. The landscape constantly shifts
tone and tempo, with majestically dark woodlands discreetly receding into
glittering tea gardens, which tumble violently into monumental precipices.
Giving one perhaps, a faint perspective into a distinctive town, and its
down-to-earth people, who have preserved and nurtured the high-ranges
and made it what it is today.
The Tall Trees is a magnificent stretch of wilderness where cardamom
covered tufts of land beckons one into an aromatic and dreamy landscape.
Entering, one has a sudden humbled sense of being amongst beings larger
than life. 561 overarching survivors from the past tower this picturesque
landscape, blotting out the noontide sun. One can almost divine the distant
rumbling of past history, alive in every tree. And in the silence, hear
one's own thoughts taking shape. In this virginal remoteness, even time
moves at a different pace.
There is a special sort of magic too about the civil construction at
The Tall Trees. The organic landscape, and all its overwhelming colossuses,
have been left untouched. Making The Tall Trees and its cottages something
of a human sanctuary, offering cocooned peace and splendid isolation.
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