About Munnar
History of Munnar
In
the early 19th century, travellers used to travel from Madurai and
nearby areas of what is now in Tamil Nadu. They passed through the
villages in Anchanad, and the majestically rising hills were named
after Kannan Thevar - the head man of the villages. The famous group of
tea estates, Kannan Devan, is named after this.
In 1877, the
Poonjar Raja gave Englishman J.D. Munro about 500sq.km of land. He
converted them into tea plantations. Later, spices plantations also
came up.
Munnar Now
From
a remote hill town to a bustling international tourist centre – that’s
quite a move! What you can now see in Munnar is a commercial tourist
town. But it has maintained its calmness and serenity even now.
Munnar’s
natural resources and tourist-friendly natives have helped to put it on
the international travel map. People from all over the world flock to
this paradise for a holiday. Munnar’s rich tropical forests are home to
the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri langur, sambar, elephant, gaur, and
lion-tailed macaques.
Well-manicured tea
estates and large spice plantations can be seen all around Munnar. A
popular attraction is the Neelakurinji flower, which blooms once every
twelve years.
In Munnar, there are homestays and hotels to
suit every tourist’s need. You can find budget ones and those that
cater to luxury tourists. Staying in a homestay you can visit nearby
places and enjoy Kerala’s best hospitality.