With a view of the lakes and lush tea gardens that motivates painters and artists, An unforgettable memory is left by a fascinating hill station in Kerala‘s Idukki district that is blessed with hypnotic greenery, mountains covered in tea plantations, woods, animals, valleys, hiking, and mountains. Kerala, a state in southwest India, has the town and hill resort of Munnar, which is situated in the Idukki district. Munnar is located in the Western Ghats mountain range at the height of around 1,600 metres (5,200 feet) above mean sea level. Another nickname for Munnar is “South India‘s Kashmir.” There are many places to visit in Munnar for the travelling architects.
In the regional language of Malayalam, Munnar is a combination of the words Moonnu, which means “Three,” and Aar, which means “Small River,” and means “Three rivers.” The fact that this hill resort, which served as the former summer capital of the British, was situated at the confluence of three rivers—the Mudhirapuzha, the Nallathanni, and the Kundaly rivers—would have given rise to the name Munnar.
This “hill range,” as it is commonly known, is stretched over the Western Ghats and is home to a number of stunning vistas and landscapes ideal for a holiday. A cool wind, mist-covered mountains, countless acres of tea plantations, picturesque valleys, dirt roads between tea estates, and an exciting ride via hairpin turns make Munnar one of India’s most popular hill resorts.
Munnar is the most well-known location among the well-known tourist destinations in Kerala. The beauty of the greatest locations to visit in Munnar cannot be simply expressed or defined; it must be experienced.
TATA Tea Museum | Places to visit in Munnar
The exciting history of Munnar, from its beginnings as an uninhabited forest stretch to its metamorphosis into a plantation town, is told in the Tata Tea Museum in the Nallathanni Estate. Old tea processing machines, pictures, and other odd exhibits that shed light on the efforts of some daring planters who attempted to conquer the wild with little supplies and meagre equipment are some of the museum’s attractions.
In 2005, Tata Tea, also known as KDHP tea, opened a tea museum. The development and history of the local tea estates may be seen. We get to see how the outdated tea roller is replaced with the contemporary, fully automated tea factory. You may observe many steps of tea processing, including the creation of black tea. The Art Industrial School at Nazareth, Tamil Nadu, produced a sundial in 1913, which is displayed on a granite block. Other attractions include a rail engine wheel from the Kundale Valley Light Railway, a tea roller, and the “Pelton Wheel,” which was utilized in a power plant in the 1920s.
Another feature where one may sample various teas is a demonstration area for tea sampling. Here, one may sample some of the most unusual tea kinds that the world has to offer. It has slowly grown into a must-see location for anyone who wants to explore Munnar’s essence.
Cheeyapara Waterfalls
One of the greatest hiking areas in the Idukki district is the Cheeyappara. There are several uncommon types of flora and animals nearby, and there is a dense growth of trees all around. The seven-tiered Cheeyappara Waterfalls are an absolutely breathtaking sight to behold.
A series of waterfalls that flow from the River Periyar cascade in a beautiful seven-step waterfall down the steep hillsides.
The neighbouring Valara Waterfalls is another well-liked tourist destination. The area’s lush, unpolluted natural environs will live long in your memories.
Pothamedu Viewpoint
In the Indian state of Kerala, the breathtaking Pothamedu viewpoint is located around 5 kilometres from Munnar. This tranquil setting ensures a seductive environment that draws us closer to nature.
Long mountain treks, trekking, and hiking are popular activities here because of the area’s cool environment and beautiful attractiveness.
With a Tea plantation and a tall overlook, the Pothamedu viewpoint provides vistas of the valley scenery below, which includes Munnar and the surrounding hills covered with coffee, cardamom, pepper, and tea plantations. The area is used to enjoy magnificent sunrises and sunsets over the hills.
Attukad Waterfalls
Attukad attracts attention and is undoubtedly on the bucket list of every trekker because of its seemingly endless pathways. A voyage with rolling hills, several waterfalls, a wide variety of unusual creatures, and fresh air.
The Attukal Waterfalls burst through the hills somewhere between Pallivasal and Munnar to demonstrate their cascading power to all viewers. The intensity with which the waters rush down the rocks causes them to seem white due to the froth; these falls are also known as Attukad Waterfalls. Due to the ongoing erosion that has shaped the rocks, they are rather smooth.
Due to the dense vegetation and forests, a tour around the fall will be profitable. To get to the waterfall, you must cross a little wooden bridge. It occasionally has fog covering it, which makes tourists play hide and seek. Your eyes will be soothed by the many seasonal flower varieties, even if you just gaze at it or glance about it.
Top Station | Places to visit in Munnar
Top Station, which is 1700 metres above sea level and 32 kilometres from Munnar, is tucked away in the breathtakingly beautiful green valleys of Munnar. Due to its location on the boundary of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it provides a clear view of both the Tamil Nadu valley of Theni District and the vast Western Ghats.
Because it used to be the highest railway station in the valley, the location is known as Top Station. The delivery mechanism was utilized by traders to convey tea to the plains. It belongs to the highest Station of the Kottagudi Aerial Ropeway. From Top Station in Tamil Nadu, 5 kilometres of downhill travel brought tea from the Kannan Devan Hill Tea Plantation to Kurangani. It was subsequently further spread throughout the rest of the nation and eventually to England.
Top Station, which was constructed at Munnar in 1902, functioned as the terminal train station for the Kundala Valley Railway. Only a handful of the setup’s remnants are still visible today after a flood destroyed it in 1924.
You may traverse the area’s thick grasslands and woodlands on the Top Station Munnar trip. There is a leisurely hiking path that provides a picturesque view of the valley, tea plantations, and animals in the nearby hills. For those who enjoy adventure, Top Station is a popular location. Both hikers and bikers like this tourist attraction and the peaceful stretch from Munnar.
You can reserve a room close to Top Station Munnar if you want to see the clouds circling the neighbouring tea plants early in the morning. Alternatively, Top Station offers tent rentals for overnight camping. Prepare yourself for the dawn’s colours of the sky by lighting a campfire, singing, and dancing.
Kundala lake
The Kundala Lake glitters when the lovely sunrays hit it, giving a heaven-like experience and allowing one to take in everything of Kundala’s beauty in complete tranquilly. Nearly every photographer wants to capture the stunning vistas and lush valleys that surround the lovely Kundala Lake in their photographs. The best time to visit this location is early in the morning to witness how a layer of cloud covers the lake and how the atmosphere is magically transformed by the first sunbeams.
Located at an altitude of 1700 metres from sea level, Kundala Lake is around 20 kilometres from Munnar and is located on the route to the well-known Matupetty Dam. The cherry blossoms, which bloom twice a year and add even more beauty to the scenery. It is advised to rent a pedal boat, a Kashmiri shikhara boat, or a row boat and cruise around the lake to fully appreciate the breathtaking vistas and surrounding landscape.
The extraordinary natural event that causes the Nilgiris to become beautiful indigo is when the flowers bloom on their slopes. Nearby attractions in this area include the Sethu Parvathi Dam and the Golf Course.
Eravikulam National Park
The 97 km2 Eravikulam National Park is located close to the Western Ghats in the districts of Idukki and Ernakulam in the Indian state of Kerala. It is Kerala’s first national park.
A high plateau of undulating hills with a base height of roughly 2,000 metres makes up the majority of the park. High altitude grasses and sholas make up the scenery. This park has Anamudi, the highest mountain in South India at 2,695 metres. The park is traversed by several perennial streams. Both the Cauvery River in the east and the Periyar River in the west get their tributaries from them. The vast Pooyamkutty and Idamalayar forests encircle the National Park to the northwest. The Lakkom Waterfalls are located here.
Numerous species of animals, such as Nilgiri tahrs, golden jackals, leopards, tigers, stripe-necked mongooses, Nilgiri martens, and others, may be found in the park. It is well known for the more than 100 different species of butterflies that call it home. In addition to the plants and animals, this area is popular for several hikes inside.
The national park, which is a designated protected area, is made up of the core region, the buffer area, and the tourism area. Only the portion of Rajamala that is past the point at which the road enters Eravikulam is accessible to tourists. This park was established with the goal of protecting the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat, which has its natural habitat in Eravikulam. It is one of the locations where you may see a large number of Neelakurinji flowers blooming.
Anamudi Peak
The pride of Kerala is Anamudi, a 2,695-meter-tall mountain that dominates the Eravikulam National Park. Outside of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges, it is the highest point in India. One of the greatest remaining populations of Asian elephants, Gaurs and Nilgiri Tahrs, may be found in Anamudi and Eravikulam Park.
The mountain is a paradise in the wild because it is covered with evergreen woods, home to rare species of flora and wildlife, as well as a thriving bird population. A few significant and beautiful rivers in Kerala and the neighbouring State of Tamil Nadu originate in the lush forest.
Views of the surrounding hills and valleys are stunning from the summit. There are tea plantations, spice plantations, and animals in the region that you may view. Evergreen bamboo and teak tree woods fill the region, and as you descend the slope, you will also be able to observe the rivers winding down the valley.
Marayoor Dolmens
Forty kilometres north of Munnar lies the peaceful tiny hill town of Marayoor in the Idukki district. However, unlike Munnar, Marayoor-roughly translated as “hidden land”, also houses artefacts from a megalithic society, piquing the interest of history buffs.
The fifteen various varieties of Marayoor Dolmens, some of which date back to the Iron Age, make this location the finest for viewing in Munnar. It is worth the long journey to see the remains of solenoid cists from the Megalithic era at these ancient dolmens, which are located around 55 kilometres from Munnar.
Granite slabs and plates that had been rough-hewn were strewn around the summit and organized into makeshift rooms. They are the ancient dolmens of Marayoor, among the first graves constructed in South India during the Iron Age. These lichen-pasted sentinels are now peacefully meditating on a mountaintop since they have outlived their usefulness
The route meanders over winding roads that have been carved into the slopes of hills, climbing ever higher until the unmistakable symbol of the Indian hill station: tea farms, are finally glimpsed. The Anchunadu Valley, which extends below, was surrounded by undulating swaths of green, sometimes punctuated by silver oak and Gulmohar flares.
Blossom Park | Places to visit in Munnar
The Blossom International Park, also known as the Hydel Park, is an exotic piece of land that has fresh flowers, the Muthirappuzha river, lush green landscapes, embracing migratory water birds and mountain butterflies, and it attracts tourists from distant cities and from abroad. It is situated about 3 km from Munnar Town, in the Kochi direction.
The banks of the lovely Muthirappuzhariver and the foggy Kannan Devan hill Tea Estates are close by this park. It offers a sizable stretch of beautifully groomed lawns, gardens, a fish aquarium, fish massages, a zip line, and other amenities that can help you unwind and feel refreshed.
Incredibly beautiful vistas of the Western Ghats and the hazy folds of the Kannan Devan Hill Tea Estates can be seen in the park. With a peaceful breath of fresh air and a lonely stroll in Mother Nature’s embrace while whispering the entire way, it seeks to refresh.
Chokramudi Peak
Chokramudi is a remote, high spot in the Eravikulam National Park between Bison Valley and Munnar and is at 7,200 feet above sea level. It is a quick and simple hike that can be completed in a single day, and because it is located within a national forest, the rich green Shola forest hides it from view.
With Chokramudi, the borders of Bison Valley, Chinnakanal, and Devikulam are shared. Chokramudi is now much more alluring as a result. Incredible views may be found everywhere around Chokramudi Peak.
Anamudi Peak and Idukki Dam can easily be seen after reaching the summit. Both are significant landmarks and the key sights to view in Munnar. Additionally, tea plantations may be found everywhere.
Chokramudi Peak’s location inside Eravikulam National Park is its finest feature. The Shola Forest covers the whole hill, giving it an amazing appearance. It is a trove of exotic plants and herbs. Elephants, gaurs, and Nilgiri Tahrs, on the other hand, freely wander the area.
Cinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Marayoor and Kanthalloor panchayats of the Devikulam taluk in the Idukki district of Kerala state in South India are home to the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated 18 kilometres north of Marayoor on State Highway 17. It is one of the 18 wildlife sanctuaries found in Kerala’s protected regions. It has gained notoriety for being India’s sole facility for the rehabilitation of Indian star tortoises.
Chinnar is a Western Ghats wildlife reserve, which covers an area of 90.44 km2, and enjoys a prime position, unspoiled beauty, and a wealth of plants and other resources. The Chinnar Animal Sanctuary offers a relaxed atmosphere and is a wonderful vacation to explore the well-known wildlife habitat of India. Here, you can observe a wealth of flora and fauna as well as mind-blowing peaks.
The Grizzled Giant Squirrel, which is difficult to locate anyplace else other than this location, is the main draw of the Chinnar Fauna Sanctuary, which has 144 kinds of animals and a wide diversity of wildlife. A Gaur, also known as a Manjampatti White Bison, is another unique creature that can be seen in the woodlands.
Dry Deciduous Forests, Wet Grasslands, High Sholas, Dry Thorny Scrub Forests, and Riparian Forests make up the majority of the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Out of the 1,000 species of flowering plants, Elaeocarpus Recurvatus, Arabica, Acacia Leucophloea, Santalum Album, Neelakurinji, and many more are among the uncommon species.
Within the Chinnar WLS, there are 11 tribal communities, each of which is clearly defined by temporary stone walls. Muthuvas and Pulayars make up the bulk of the population. In the settlements, maize, ragi, and lemongrass cultivation is done. Small-scale ganja growing is done by the Mudhuvas for religious reasons.
KFDC Flower garden | Places to visit in Munnar
One of the finest tourist attractions in Munnar is the KFDC Flower Garden, popularly known as the Floriculture Center. Beautiful botanical garden with a greenhouse filled with exotic flowers, also called the Munnar Rose Garden. The distance from Munnar to Top Station is 2 km.
The Munnar Floriculture Centre, popularly known as the Munnar Rose Garden, is the place where hundreds of unusual species of plants, including cactus, herbs, shrubs, and creepers, may be found. It is located in the city of Munnar and is run by the Kerala Forest Development Center.
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
At 7900 feet above sea level, Kolukkumalai is the highest elevation tea plantation in the world. Without a doubt, Kolukkumalai is among the most picturesque places on earth. The plantation, which dates back to the early 1900s, uses the traditional way to make tea in its venerable tea factory.
The Kolukkumalai tea farm in Munnar is renowned for its distinctively aromatic tea leaves. The leaves are carefully selected, prepared, and packaged for delivery. And the factory from the colonial era continues to prepare tea using traditional ways.
It has a historic tea factory from the 20th century that still makes tea the old-fashioned way. Tea aficionados may sample and purchase a variety of teas at the factory store next to the former plant. Tea is produced using a seven-step process that includes withering, rolling, sieving, fermenting, drying, extracting the fibre, and grading.
Visitors come here not just to sample the tea but also for the breathtaking scenery. You may go on a safari around the tea plantation, go down the hills, and have a factory tour with a guide here. Kolukkumalai Tea Estate also offers lodging for one or more nights.
Visiting these acres of beautiful green land is an adventure in and of itself, and there is nothing more thrilling than taking a leisurely stroll around the plantation. This location is at its finest after the sunset; many tourists stroll here in the evening to take in the breathtaking views of Kodaikanal town, which are especially stunning at night.
Kalari Kshethra | Places to visit in Munnar
Kalari Kshetra is a cultural hub 10 kilometres from Munnar Bus Station in the Kerala town of Chithirapuram. It is one of the top locations to see Kerala’s rich cultural history and is a must-see attraction in Munnar.
The classic style of Indian Classical Dance, Kathakali, and the oldest form of martial arts in Kerala, Kalaripayattu, are both centred at Kalari Kshethra. The centre is where one may see dance performances that highlight Kerala’s rich cultural history. The institution offers lectures, workshops, and performances that one may attend to learn more about the old art traditions.
Another justification for visiting the Kalari Kshethra in Munnar is to experience Kathakali, the state dance of Kerala. This colourful dancing style has a long history that dates back to Kerala in the 17th century. Ramanathan, the original form of Kathakali, was developed by the Raja of Kottarakkara, a princely state in prehistoric Kerala. With its vibrant costumes, captivating music, and hypnotic percussion sounds, Keralan traditional folk dance transforms Kalari Kshetra into an amazing theatre. Most of the episodes in the programme are taken from the Ramayana and Mahabharatha, two ancient epics. At the Kalari Kshetra, one has the chance to see the artists do their cosmetics.
The indigenous martial art practised in Kerala is known as Kalaripayattu and is hailed as the mother of all martial arts. It is estimated that the martial art is older than 3,000 years. This ancient skill is thought to have inspired karate, kung-fu, and judo, among other martial art styles. The one-hour Kalaripayattu performance show in Munnar features demonstrations of body control, flexibility, and many types of exercises. This spectacle, which is performed by talented and trained artists, displays their combat prowess using both metal weapons—such as swords, spears, and shields—and their bare hands.
Munnar is a picturesque location similar to Kashmir in India. It offers everything, including exciting locales and tranquil, beautiful settings with animals and a variety of flora and fauna. How to forget its many cultures and artistic traditions. Architects should be surrounded by art and environment, and Munnar exhibits the greatest examples of both to inspire people in a relaxing way. It has a great deal of potential to affect someone with a creative background.
References: Places to visit in Munnar
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