 Munnar Tourism-
breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic
tourist destination in God's own country.Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki
district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers
in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and
mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests
- aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar Tourism has all these and more.
It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to
leave- so welcome - log on to munnar.com for all information on Munnar anytime,
every time.
One of the most popular hill stations in India,
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha,
Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 Mts above sea level, this was once the
summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India.Sprawling tea
plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities
make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a tea town. The tea
plantations have now been taken over by the Tata Tea Company. The visitor is
greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations on entry into Munnar.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the
Neelakurinji a flower which bathes the hills in blue colour once in twelve
years. The Neelakurinji, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest
peak in South India - Anamudi - which towers over 2695 Mts and is an ideal spot
for campers who like to do some trekking.
The Duke of Wellington is reputed to have been the first
European visitor to Munnar, in 1790, but this is unlikely. In the early
19th century, the headman of the villages of Anchanad, just to the North of the
high ranges was named Kanan Thevar. It is said that travelers from Madurai to
the West coast passed through these villages and named these hills after him.An
entry in the diary of Madras army Lieutenant made in 1817 describes a
bullock-road heading across the Kanan Devan hills into Coimbatore.In 1877-79,
the Poonjar Chief, a subordinate prince to the Maharaja of Travancore, leased a
large tract of land comprising 588 sq. km. to a lawyer in the employee of the
Travancore Government named J. D. Munro. This tract, henceforth called the Kanan
Devan Concession Land, was completely undeveloped, largely unexplored, and
covered with thick jungle full of wild elephants and tigers.
In Conjunction with Munro and H. G. Turner of the Madras
Civil Service was founded the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural
Society, whose members developed their own estates in various parts of the High
Ranges. This first cultivation was undertaken by A. W. Turner near Devikulam
lake in 1877. The pioneers tried many crops such as coffee, cinchona, sisal and
cardamom before discovering tea, the product best suited to the area.The first
tea plant was planted by A. H. Sharp at Parvathi, now in Sevenmullay estate, but
then a 20 hectares (50 acres) clearing in an immense jungle. In 1893-95, the
concession area was purchased by Muir and Co. which later became James Finlay &
Co. Ltd.The original route to the Anamellen's was cut out of the jungle in 1858
by Congreve and Macpherson, and it led to what are now Veloine & Valparai
Estates. The first plantation was 20 hectares (50 acres) of coffee put out in
1897 by "Carver" Mersh. E. J. Martin introduced tea a few years later and
cardamom, cinchona and rubber were also added. The latter has now been mostly
abandoned.
The Kanan Devan Hills Produce Company was formed in 1897, and
together with other subsidiaries of the Glasgow, UK - based Finlays Group,
namely, the Anglo-American Direct Tea Trading Company and the Amalgamated Tea
Estates Company it opened or came to purchase 33 estates in the high range and 9
in the the Anamallais.In 1964 a collaborative venture between Finlays and Tatas
was established to develop value-added tea, and in 1976 Tata-Finlays Ltd
purchased the black tea producing/marketing operation and other interests. The
name of the company was changed to Tata Tea Ltd. in 1983 when Finlays sold their
remaining share holdings including the considerable landholdings and
manufacturing facilities in Northeastern India. Tata Tea Ltd. justifiably claims
to be the largest integrated tea company in the world, with activities spanning
the entire spectrum of the industry. Munnar, one of
the most popular hill stations in India is situated at the confluence of three
mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 m above
sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government
in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes,
trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience.Anayirangal (22
km from Munnar):It's a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid
reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by
Tata Tea plantations and evergreen forests. An ideal picnic spot.Top Station (32
km from Munnar) -1700m above sea level, this is the highest point on the
Munnar-Kodaikanal road. The rare Neelakurunji (Strobilanthus) belongs to this
region. Top Station also offers a panoramic view of neighbouring state of Tamil
Nadu.
Getting there:
Nearest airport: Madurai (Tamil Nadu), about 140 km away Cochin International
Airport, about 190 km away
Nearest railway station: Theni (Tamil Nadu), about 60 km away, Changanacherry,
about 93 km away
MUNNAR - Fact File
Altitude : 1600 Mts to 1800 Mts above sea level Tourist Season : August to May
Clothing : Warm Clothes and Rain Gear Temperature : Min. 0 c - Max. 25 c
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