Munnar - Ideal destination for nature lovers
Imagine a huge stretch of unending land and virgin forests . Beautiful roads cut through deep forests with rich wildlife, hills standing at the end of velvet green plains echoing with the melody of birds, fabulous wildlife sanctuaries and valleys carpeted with tea gardens.
My beautiful experiences at Munnar can never be forgotten. The blue skies and high hills, tea gardens, natural thick forests, rustling leaves in the fragrant winds and beautiful waterfalls has made Munnar the perfect destination of touring visitors from all over the world.
Enveloped in fluffy clouds of eternity, lies Munnar - the jewel in the crown. Munnar , a place where nature has lavished all her boundaries. This is the place I travel every summer.
Munnar is ardent nature lover’s paradise. It is snuggled in the verdant and peaceful surroundings of the Kannan Devan hills. This panoramic hill station commands spectacular views of low flying clouds and misty valleys thus making it an attractive little heaven with a salubrious climate.
One of the reasons people like to visit Munnar is that, it not only offer a respite from the dust and pollution of the city but also give people a chance to see the undefiled beauty of nature. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Munnar a famous hill station. The green hills, the cascading waterfalls and sparkling brooks, all make Munar a delight for the eyes of the urban dweller.
The splendid green downs and lofty hills of extraordinary scenic beauty and is endowed with a salubrious climate good for the summer vacation holidays. The funnel shaped blossoms covering the hills in floral profusion and the beautiful flowers spread over the mountains will pack you with memories for a lifetime.
Munnar is cradled in a valley hemmed in by hills.There are many tourist attractions within a radius of ten to thirty kms from the town are worth caching a glimpse if you are on a tour to Munnar. This hill station has many things to offer and thus you should have ample time in order to explore this paradisiacal territory.
EravikulamNational Park :
This is one of the most one of the most beautiful tourist attractions of Munnar. This park is remarkably beautiful and is a gem to the crown of Munnar. This flourishing national park is home to the Nilgiri Tahr.
It was initially established to protect the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiri Ibex) and was recognized as a national park in the year 1978. It is spread over an area of 97 sq kms .The National Park has the richness of various flora and fauna and it provides shelter to several endangered species.The tallest peak in South India can be seen in the Erivakulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Devikulam :
It is an idyllic hill station and the major tourist attractions of Munnar . Here one can visit the Sita Devi Lake which is known for rich mineral water, is surrounded by lush green hills and attracts tourists not only because of its sacredness but also for the curative powers in its waters.
Pothamedu :
For miles and miles around, the visitor can see the teagardens spread like a green carpet over the plain land or on the sloping hills.The undulating hills, the lush mountain and the incredible scenery here is ideal for trekking and extensive mountain walks.
Nyayamakad :
It is located at a distance of 10 kms from Munnar and is a land of incredible waterfalls. The sight of waters cascading down a hill from a height of around 1600 meters is an awe inspiring one. The captivating surroundings make an outstanding picnic spot and trekking point.
Attukal :
This spot offers uninterrupted panorama of waterfalls and undulating hills and is located between Munnar and Pallivasal. If you wish to go for the long treks, then this place should be your choice.
Mattupetty :
It is located at a height of 1700 meters and famous for its highly specialized dairy farm. Mattupetty is known for its specialized diary farm which has over 100 varieties of cattle. One can visit the cattle shed farms at this place . Besides, the Mattupetty Lake and dam is a short distance from the farm and is a beautiful picnic spot. Here boating facilities are available at a reasonable price. It’s simply very exciting & a great fun. Mattupetty shelters different varieties of birds, and thus provides excellent opportunities for bird watching as well as trekking.
Some of the other attractions of Munnar are Chinnar wildlife sanctuary (60 kms) Yellapatty Bungalow, tata tea estate museum.Kollukkumallay Tea Estate ( 38 km) Marayoor (40 km) CSI Christ Church, It was built by the British in 1910 AD. The church is known for its stained glass windows. There are many brass plaques in the church in the memory of the tea planters. If you are going for a longer visit, you can visit Thekkady, this beautiful paradise is 110 kms from Munnar.
As a final note, Munnar is tranquil enough to get lost among the dreamers who are seeking quiet havens and hills. It offers the most scenic walks, into dense forests, pretty mountain trails, misty forests, unexpected waterfalls, animals and brilliant bird species. Nestled in the green Hills, enveloped in blue mist, the lovely laidback hill station of munnar exudes its own special charm. I have developed an absolute fascination for this place, and am looking forward to visiting it again & again.
I thank the nature for a refreshing touch to the heart & soul .The wonderful experiences during my stay at Munnar will surely remain for a very long time. Here time moved like a breeze, and soon I set off for a journey back to my home. It all ended up like an illusion, paved and surrounded by a world of green.
Location : Idukki District, Kerala State(South India)
Languages : Malayalam, Tamil, English
Best Time to Visit : October to March.
Distance from Bangalore : 530 kms