This is situated 130 km to the east of Kochi at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani and Kundala. The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Tamil and Malayalam words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the three rivers. The Munnar panchayat in the Devikulam block is the largest panchayat in the Idduki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km². At altitudes ranging from 1600 and 1800 m, Munnar first shot into prominence as a summer resort favoured by the British. It is accessible by road from Cochin - it's a scenic four-and-half hour drive. The nearest airport is Cochin and the nearest railway station is Ernakulam and Aluva, four hours from Munnar. Government buses also go to the place from Thiruvananthapuram. Most accommodation in Munnar is in the middle and high range.
History - Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants by British planters. The history of plantation in Munnar started in the 1870s when J.D. Munro, a European, identified the agriculture potential of the land on a hunting expedition. At that time, the place was completely undeveloped, largely unexplored, and covered with thick jungle full of wild elephants and tigers. Estates were developed 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. From 1908 till 1924, tea produced in Munnar was transported to Top Station by a 24 inch railway line and transhipped from there by ropeway to Kotagudi (Bottom Station and subsequently to Bodinayakanur for shipment across the World. The Top Station to Kotagudi ropeway which was in service from 1900 till 1969 is no longer functional and what remains remains in name only.
Enjoy - Essentially a pass it is a lovely getaway, with sprawling tea gardens, picturesque snaking lanes, rubber plantations, craggy hills, prinstine valleys, exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests and aroma of spice scented cool air. 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. 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. There are no must-see places here, apart from tea plantations, a dam and some interesting churches.
Temperature - Min. 0 c - Max. 25 c
Clothing - Warm Clothes and Rain Gear
Tourist Season - August to March
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