Munnar's sprawling tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains and
cool air have long been a
favourite with both Indian honeymooners and foreign tourists. In recent
years, this beautiful landscaped hill station has been attracting adventure
travellers, who are enamoured by the area's stunning topography, which
is ideal for paragliding, trekking and rock climbing. Also known as the
Kashmir of South India, it is a peaceful hill station with its impeccable
beauty. Munnar was the erstwhile 'Summer Capital' of the British Government
in South India.
It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats,
the eastern border of Kerala and an adjoining parts of Tamilnadu. The
very name 'Munnar' means three rivers and there are actually
three of them, confluence of three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha,
Nallathanni and Kundala 5000ft above sea level. Munnar consists
of vast sloping areas of tea, most of which mostly are owned by Tata Tea.
Coffee and cardamom plantations give it a simplistic and smooth appearance.
Munnar is a perennial favourite of Indian honeymooners.
Dense
forests, wildlife sanctuaries and major cash crop plantations cover most
of the region. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands
here is the Neelakurinji. At that time, the hill side will appear bluish
in colour. This flower bathes the hills in blue once every twelve
years, will bloom next in 2006AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in
South India-Anamudi, which towers over 2695m. Anamudi is an ideal spot
for trekking. Munnar abounds in animals like elephants and Nilgiri langurs.
Traditions of the British Tea Plantation town are still preserved in this
heavenly and un-spoilt hill station.
NEXT
|
|
|