Munnar is a beautiful getaway landscaped with beautifull tea plantations, hills, lakes, forests and winding walks. Located at an altitude of 1,829 m, it is home to South India's highest peak called Anamudi, standing 2,695 m tall. It is also an important commercial centre in the Idukki district.
The economy of Munnar thrives primarily from its vast tea estates and coffee plantations,cardamom plantations. Tourism is also another big contributor.
Often referred to as the “Kashmir of South India”, Munnar offers tourists a mix of relaxation and adventure amidst beautiful landscapes. The word Munnar in Tamil means three rivers. Munnar is located where the rivers Mudrapuzha, Nallathani and Kundala converge, and so the name.
Munnar History
In both Malayalam and Tamil, the word ‘Munnar’ means three rivers, as it is merging place of three mountain streams. The Duke of Wellington was the first prominent person to visit Munnar.
Munnar was once the summer capital of the British in southern India. Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants by British although it was first discovered by Scottish planters. In the early developmental stages only Tamilians worked ther as few Malayalis inhabited in that area Munnar.
But later more and more Malayalis were recruited as employees to work in plantations and bungalows, that were build for estate managers of British origin. They occupied most of the top posts. Some of the bungalows that were build for them is still in good condition and being used.The local people here speak Malayalam, the official language of Kerala and since there are a lot of Tamilians, the second language is Tamil.
Munnar has an ancient history and prehistoric relics that can be dated back to Stone Age civilization. The written history begins only from 10th century. In the early 19th century, the headman of the villages of Anchanad, Kannan Thevar, held lands to the north of the high ranges, which belonged to the local Rajah of Poojar.
According to record history, the first tea sapling was planted by A.H. Sharp at Parvathi, part of the present Sevenmullay estate, consisted of 50 acres of land in the surrounding jungle.
J D Munro, a British lawyer and tea planter leased close to 600 sq. km of land around Munnar, which was then covered with thick jungle, from the Poonjar chief, a subordinate of the Maharaja of Travancore. He then cleared the jungle for Tea plantations. This land was later known as Kannan Devan (Kannan Thevar) ConcessionLand.
Later in 1895, Messrs Finlay Muir & Company bought Munro’s land and in 1976 Tata-Finlay Ltd. purchased it. Then in 1983 James Finlay Group sold their remaining share holdings and the company became known as Tata Tea Ltd., the largest integrated tea company in the world. |
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Tour with this package is a wonderfull experience with kerala, which is a perfect match to cover places like Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Allepey, Kovalam,which offers you a stay of Beaches, Hillstations, Wildlife, Backwaters, where one can find all these things,.. 
Dedicated non a/c cab for the entire trip!
