Munnar, The Enchanted Place.
Munnar is a town in India’s Kerala state in the Western Ghats mountain range. A hill station, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations. Situated at around 1,600 meters (5,200 ft) above mean sea level, Munnar is also called the “Kashmir of South India” and is a popular honeymoon destination. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri tahr, is home to the Lakkam Waterfalls, hiking trails, and 2,695m-tall Anamudi Peak. December to February: The winter months are the best time to visit Munnar. The minimum temperature during this time of the year drops to ten degrees Celsius and is perfect for a vacation or a honeymoon.
The name Munnar is derived from the words Moonu (three) and Aaru (river), referring to the location of the town at the confluence of the Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundaly rivers. Munnar is famous among nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, honeymooners, adventure enthusiasts, and almost every kind of traveler. There are many places large and small, but let’s list the best and most memorable spots and a few rare spots still not known to tourists yet, so these sites are best if you need places to take some private photos without the commotion of tourists.
NEELA KURINJI
Neela Kurinji or Blue Little Flower, as known in the local language is a special kind of purple-blue colored flower that blooms only once in 12years. Since this plant grows at high altitudes it usually is found at mountain tops. The germination process is by wind scattering and thus when this plant blooms it covers a whole mountain giving a purple blue color to the mountain when seen from long distance. Strobilanthes kunthiana, known as Kurinji or Neelakurinji is a shrub that is found in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The purplish-blue flower blossoms only once in 12 years, and gave the Nilgiri Mountains range its name, from the Malayalam language. Of all long interval bloomers. Kurinji grows at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 meters. The plant is usually 30 to 60 cm high. They can, however, extend well beyond 180 cm under congenial conditions. Plants that bloom at long intervals like Strobilanthes kunthiana are known as planetesimals.
ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK
Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km² national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki and Ernakulam districts of Kerala in India. Situated between 10º05’N and 10º20′ north, and 77º0′ and 77º10′ east, it is the first national park in Kerala. Eravikulam is also famous for the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, the endangered mountain goat, and this park is built to conserve them. The soft trekking trails like that of Kurinji Trail take you through tracks of Nilgiri Tahr and Neelakurinji-filled grasslands. The Eravikulam National Park is open throughout the week and the safari timings are from 8:30 am to 4 pm. A complete Eravikulam National Park Safari takes about 2 to 3 hours.
LAKKOM WATERFALLS
Lakkom Water Falls, also known as Lakkam Waterfalls, is a tourist attraction located near Marayoor in the Idukki district of Kerala. These falls are part of the Eravikulam stream, which is a part of Eravikulam National Park and is one of the major tributaries of the Pambar River. This beautiful waterfall is located on the way to Marayoor from Munnar and is set amidst dense flora and rolling hills, which add to its bewitching beauty. Besides being a hot choice for picnics and short vacations, Lakkam Waterfalls is highly popular among trekkers. They get the opportunity to explore the immense jungle and cascading hills surrounding the place.
MARAYOOR SANDALWOOD FOREST
Marayoor is a small town located around 40 km from Munnar. Sandalwood forest is one of the main attractions here. Marayoor is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees. Marayoor as a pristine, heavenly and unexplored tourist spot is comparable to Munnar, one of India’s most sought-after hill stations in every respect. Another interesting sight in Marayoor would be a scenic river called Pambar which flows between the villages of Marayoor and Kanthalloor. Kerala has 44 rivers and the Pambar is one of the three rivers which flow towards the east. Marayoor’s is the largest natural sandalwood forest of the species Santalum album in a rain-shadow region. The wood is used for carving and manufacturing incense. The evergreen tree regenerates naturally when conditions are favorable and has been spreading in its distribution.
CHINAR WILD LIFE
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary has located 18 km north of Marayoor on State Highway 17 in the Marayoor and Kanthalloor panchayats of Devikulam taluk in the Idukki district of Kerala state in South India. It is one of 18 wildlife sanctuaries among the protected areas of Kerala. It has earned the name of being the only rehabilitation center for the Indian star tortoise in India. Located in the Nilgiri Mountains, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot. The sanctuary is home to over 580 species of fauna which includes 34 species of mammals and 29 species of snakes.
ANAIMUDI SHOLAI PARK
The Anaimudi Sholai National Park (Formerly known as the Mannavan Chola) is an evergreen forest. The national park is home to a large number of faunal and floral species. The park consists of some of the rarest types of plants and species which are not found anywhere else. The Pambar River flows through the park, forming scenic waterfalls that gush during the monsoon months. You can get guided tours to the famous Thoovanam waterfalls from the Karimutti forest station as well. The rich fauna of this park includes Spotted Deer, Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Sambar, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Hanuman Langur, Jungle cat, Leopards, Wolves, Flying squirrels, etc. Other than these fauna species, you can also see many rare trees, plants, herbs, and shrubs at here.
THOOVAM WATERFALLS
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kerala. It is located within Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, near Marayoor. The waterfall has to be reached by 4 Kms trek from Alampetty Checkpost, which is situated on Munnar – Udalampet highway and connected by buses from Munnar. The Thoovanam waterfalls trip is a guided trek (forest guides must be accompanied) and usually takes 2-3 hours from the checkpost.
MEESHA PULLI MALA
Meesapulimala is an Indian peak, the next south of the second highest peak. (Its peak is 2,640 metres (8,661 ft) above sea level. Trekking at its best and walk with the clouds literally happens here.
In Pambar river basin, the Chengalar watershed is faced with severe drought situation during summer season when the crops grown in Kanthalloor and Keezhanthoor villages need water for irrigation. The soil is highly fertile for paddy, sugarcane, vegetables, and hybrid varieties of fruits like orange, apple, strawberry etc. In order to cater to the irrigation needs, the possible solution in this catchment is to store water during the monsoon months and also to facilitate for storage of water from rainfall received during the summer months by way of balancing reservoirs.
MUNIYARA
Muniyara (also known as Dolmens) are Pre-historic structures built up using large stones. The structure consists of several huge stones that are covered by a single large stone on top called the cap stone. Some of the Muniyaras consist of several burial chambers while some contain just a single chamber. The tourists trek through the area of Muniyara to reach 15 different types of Dolmens, which belongs to the Neolithic Age, i.e. between 3000 BC and 14000 BC. Some of the dolmens here even belong to the Iron Age, which is proven by the smoothed rocky stone slabs that can only be done with iron tools. These aboveground structures are very unique as they are made of stones that are vertically laid on the ground and covered with one single stone on the top. The dolmens that were built over the burial site of more than one person have chambers. Muniyara Dolmens vary in length and size. Studies say that the larger ones must have been used for the burial of people of high status.
DEVI - KULAM
Just like a fairy tale location, the Devikulam area is enchanted and why not? For it has its relation with Ramayana and none other than Mother Sita. It is believed that the goddess Sita Devi of Ramayana, the wife of Rama bathed in this lake, and thus it possesses curative powers, scientifically owing to the presence of minerals in it. Sita Devi Kulam is again a perfect place for travelers who love to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of nature. Devikulam is an idyllic hill station and the most sought-after among the tourist attractions of Munnar featuring sprawling lawns, exotic flora and fauna, and the cold mountain air. Pallivasal Waterfalls and the bluish, as well as reddish gum and rubber trees, are situated near the lake.