Munnar

Munnar is a town in Idukki district, Kerala, India, positioned at roughly 1600 meters altitude in the Western Ghats mountain range. Three rivers named Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala converge here amid extensive tea gardens that dominate the surrounding landscape.

British planters initiated the transformation of this mountain region into tea estates during the 1870s after John Daniel Munro secured a lease from the Poonjar royal family. This commercial development fundamentally altered the original landscape and brought workers from diverse regions to settle here.

Malayalam serves as the primary language in this mountain settlement, though Tamil remains widely spoken due to longstanding connections with plantation workers. Visitors notice the omnipresent tea gardens that continue to shape the social fabric and daily routines of residents.

The town connects to major cities in Kerala through national highways leading toward Kochi and other regional centers. Travelers should bring warm clothing because temperatures at this elevation drop considerably cooler than lowland Kerala, especially during evenings.

The Neelakurinji plant blooms here only once every twelve years, covering hillsides with blue flowers that draw visitors from across India. Local communities traditionally use this natural cycle as a timekeeper for long-term events and generational milestones.