Munnar – a tranquil place in the midst of serene nature

Munnar is a beautiful hill station in Kerala with large tea, coffee estates, beautiful landscapes, brooks and rivers, panoramic vantage points, and others such advantages. Visit the tranquil town during the vacation and pick from the best Munnar hotels.

Munnar, meaning “three rivers”, is a small town and a hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala. It falls within the territory of Devikulam Taluk which is the largest panchayat in the entire district. Aptly named, the town is situated at the conflux of three south Indian rivers, namely Kundali, Muthirapuzha, and Nallathanni. Best known for its serene natural beauty and lovely weather, the town is one of the most popular hill stations in South India. It is nestled on the foothills of Anamudi which is the highest peak of the Western Ghats.  The town is surrounded by lush greenery and mountain ranges and its altitude varies between 1600 meters and 1800 meters.

The history of Munnar dates back to the 10th century. However, several relics have been found from the region that link the town to the Stone Ages. It is believed that during 17th Century a group of Tamilians came and settled in Munnar. They were called “Muthuvans”. Today, Tamilians and Malayalees form the population of the town. Later in the 19th century the town came under the reign of Anchunadu, which is a small and one of the earliest tribal kingdoms in South India. The population count is small and most of them are into agriculture, tea and coffee plantation, and tourism related occupation.

Agriculture is perhaps the earliest and prime occupation of the region. During the era of the early settlements, cultivating ginger, cardamom, etc. was the prime agricultural practices. Later, during the colonial era the Spanish brought tea and coffee plantations in the town. Today, apart from tourism, Munnar is specifically known for the production of tea and coffee of great quality, taste, and aroma. The tea and coffee produced here is distributed not just in India but also exported throughout the world.

Tourism and plantation of tea and coffee are the prime means of earning livelihood. There are large tea and coffee estates spared across miles of land. While in the town, sipping-in the home-grown coffee is a must-do to get a taste of the town. They are also the most-picked souvenirs.

Munnar has always been a retreat where one can relax and take a break from the hectic daily life. Today, with the growth of ecotourism in India more number of backpackers are visiting the hill station. It is quite popular amongst the nature-lovers, photographers, honeymooners, and Adeline junkies.

Amongst the most popular places to visit include: Echo Point, Mattupetty Dam, Top Station, Elephant Lake, CSI Church, Tata Tea Museum, and Rajamalai National Park. Since the town is small in area, so unraveling the attractions won’t take much time. Besides, some Munnar hotels also offer tour services to their guests.

The good thing is that the town is well-connected to all neighboring towns and cities. Taxis can be easily found from the nearest railway station and airport. Besides, the roads to Munnar are heavenly. The Aluva railway station is the nearest railhead, which is about 108 k.m. away. The Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to the hill station. The airport connects the town with all major Indian cities as well as destinations around the world. There are some good 5 Star hotels in Munnar that offer airport and railway station pick and drop services.

Author Bio: Sandeep is an experienced travel writer and enthusiast blogger. He has explored many known and less-known places in India in the last 10 years. His experience adds to his expert knowledge on the best Munnar hotels , different travel routes through trains, flights, and road. He also specializes in off-beat places to eat and stay at. He also advises amateur tourists on travel tips.