Munnar

Munnar (Malayalam :മൂന്നാ൪,Tamizh :மூணார்)is a small town located at 10.09° North and 77.06° East in Idukki district, of the southern state of Kerala in India. The name is most often used to refer to the whole tourist area, of which the town forms a part.

It is located at the confluence of the mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. It is surrounded by wild jungles and is wet and cold for most of the season.Though part of Kerala state,Tamil workers brought from Tamilnadu and their successors are now majority in Munnar.

History

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During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that time, most of the people around the area were employed as labourers for the various plantations. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a few Malayalis were present there.

Most of the top positions were occupied by the British, proudly called 'Managers' in Munnar. A few bungalows were built for them and these are still used. It is also believed that Munnar was a favourite place for those of the British who were in the know and it is sometimes referred to as the 'Switzerland of India' for its natural surroundings and Old World architecture.

In 2000, the Government of Kerala declared Munnar as a tourist spot. This has helped in attracting more tourists to the place.

Area and season

The area is between 1600 and 1800 meters above sea level and typically stays between 22 °C and 38 °C. The tourist season is from August to March but is especially lovely during the monsoons, with little streams and rivulets all over the place. Though the temperature is moderate, the relatively high altitude makes one prone to sun-burn.

It is close to the Eravikulam National Park, famous for the Nilgiri Tahr (Ibex).

Tea estates

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Munnar

Munnar is almost full of tea estates and has thick forest cover. Most of the people work in tea estates and many of them are labourers (to pluck the tea leaves). The majority of the tea estates (approx 27/30) are owned by Tata Tea, one of the Tata Group of companies. In fact, the entire area is known as the Kannan Devan Hills, from which the famous brand of the Tatas gets its name.

In April 2005, the Tata Group decided to divest its holding in the Munnar tea plantations, after which the employees purchased the plantations and are now running the same as Kannan Devan Hills Plantation Company Private Limited

Tourist spots

Unlike other tourist places in India, Munnar doesn't have many artificial parks or gardens. However, due to its status as a tourist spot, few places have more visitors:

Places on the Munnar-Udumalai route

Kannimalai Estate - Tea factory visit (special permission needed)
Rajamalai - Place quite near to jungle and location of the Eravikulam National Park , where one can see the Nilgiri tahr (kind of mountain goat known as ibex). Tourists are not allowed during the breeding season (Mid-Februrary through mid-March).
Chinnar - Wildlife Sanctuary, Crocodile bank
Marayoor - Sandal Wood Forests and Plantations

Places on the Munnar-Top Station route

Madupatti dam - First concrete dam, which was designed and built in the mid - late 1940's by George Oommen, Chief Engineer with the erstwhile Travancore Government's Public Works Dept. (It was not built by the British as stated earlier). Boating is offered during the tourist season.
Madupatti Indo-Swiss Project - Rare hybrids, especially the Indo-Swiss hybrid of cattle, are bred here.
Kundalai - The Sethuparvathipuram Dam was the first masonry dam, also designed and built by George Oommen in the early 1940's. The Golf Club is now owned by the Taj Group of Hotels.
Top Station - Fantastic high mountain vistas. You can see the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu from here.

Places on the Munnar-Theni route

Devikulam - Dam, Tea estate, Tea factory visit (special permission needed)
Sandal Wood Forests

Specialities

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External links

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