Munnar: The Kashmir of South India

chillibreeze writer — Monalisa Barua

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Every summer holiday, you plan that special trip with your family to escape the stress and worries of everyday life. You’ve been there, done that, and are running out of places to ‘summer’. But wait. Have you tried Munnar? Nestled in the southern hills, Munnar is a small and picturesque holiday spot in Kerala, India. This extraordinarily beautiful and captivating hill-town is rich in biodiversity and an ideal place for a soothing and peaceful holiday!

Located amidst the majestic Western Ghats at an altitude of 1600m on a confluence of three rivers - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani and Kundala, Munnar is one of the few untouched hill-resorts in the country where you can witness nature’s bounty in all its manifestations. Munnar offers a unique blend of relaxation and adventure amidst unmatched natural surroundings.

Rightly called “The Kashmir of South-India, Munnar remains cool and pleasant throughout the year. The cool and cozy weather along with its unrivalled natural beauty attracts tourist all over the globe. Even in summer months the temperature here doesn’t go above 20 degree C. Winters are cold with temperatures often dipping below 0 degree C. So it’s advisable to carry your woolens whenever you visit Munnar. The best time to visit this wonderful place, however, is between September and May, when the entire hill-station is green and serene.

A nature lover’s paradise, Munnar is a land of timeless beauty holding visitors captivated with the lush greenery of its serene hills covered with tea plantations, misty mountains, waterfalls, sparkling streams, enthralling rivers and lakes, wooded valleys, and lovely meadows.

Munnar is famed for its sprawling network of tea estates, producing some of the most sought-after brews in the country. The air is unbelievably fresh and pure – a blessing for the city crowd choking with toxic fumes. This hill-station is an idyllic honeymoon destination as well offering the perfect ambience for honeymooners who want to lose themselves amidst the sights and sounds of nature.

There are many beautiful sites to visit in and around Munnar. You could start with Mattupetty, known for its Indo-Swiss cattle breeding project, a dam and a beautiful lake, ideal for speed-boating amidst mist-capped mountains and lush green tea plantations. You can also enjoy an elephant ride with your family or indulge in a little bit of shopping for your near and dear ones.

On the way to top-station is the “Echo point”, a place of mesmerizing beauty and known for its natural echo phenomenon. The best thing you can do here is enjoy the breathtaking view around sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee along with yummy pakoras! People also enjoy boating here and shopping here. A few kilometers from here is a small picturesque Kundala town nestled in the Kanan Devan hills, dotted with delightfully attractive meadows, tropical forests and valleys. There is a dam out here where visitors can enjoy horse-riding and boating along the serene waters of the lake. A visit to the Kundala club for a game of golf is a great experience.

Munnar is also a perfect destination for adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing and aero sports. Nyamakad is a heaven for trekkers. The stunning view of waterfalls rolling down from a height of 1600m will definitely refresh you even after hours and hours of trekking. Another major attraction of Munnar includes the Rajamalai hills, a part of Ervikulam national park. Here you come across the friendly Nilgiri Tahr, Munnar’s mascot, ever ready to welcome each and everyone to its abode in mist-capped mountains.

Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is what is believed to be a harbinger of good times or the ‘Neelkurinji’, a flower that bathes the hills once in every twelve years in blue! Munnar is also the proud possessor of the Anaimudi, the highest peak in South-India, towering over 2695m.

Then there is Marayoor, known for its sandalwood plantation with the aroma of sandal lingering in the air. The place also has a few natural caves claiming to be apart of Old Stone Age and a beautiful children’s park, as well, under the canopy of a single banyan tree!

Now let’s not forget the Gravel Banks, a secluded yet beautiful place to relax undisturbed in the midst of nature. It is an excellent spot for experiencing the thrills of trout fishing! You can also spend a romantic morning boating on the serene waters of the Devikulam Lake with all the privacy you desire.

Besides all these, there is lot more for visitors in Munnar. Watching the very beautiful Attukal waterfalls, enjoying a picnic at the wonderful Anayirankal amidst vast expanse of aromatic tea and evergreen forest, visiting the beautiful Shree Murugan and Ayyappa temples, shopping for spices, tea, coffee at the local market, and spending a wonderful evening at the local High Range Club are just some of the other options for tourists to consider.

So what are you waiting for? Come and fall in love with this beautiful piece of land called Munnar, the pride of God’s own country, Kerala!

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in December, 2009. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

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—About our writer:

Monalisa has done her masters in English Literature with specialization in American Literature. Writing is her passion-turned-profession. She enjoys article writing, web content writing and writing product reviews. She is currently based in Kerala with husband and two lovely kids.

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