Munnar - Kerala

Munnar is one of the most popular hill stations, an ideal honeymoon destination and summer gateway of India. Munnar is famous among honeymooners and tourists from all over the world for its cool climate, cozy weather, landscapes, tea plantations, natural beauty, wildlife etc. Munnar was the official summer administrative capital for the erstwhile British. The area is located 1600 meters above sea level. The picturesque beauties of this land include misty rolling hills, sprawling estates, sparkling waterfalls, beautiful hamlets and fantastic mountain valleys. Its an ideal place for refreshment after a hectic tour in the rich cultured Kerala. The most beautiful areas in Munnar once known as the Kannan Devan Hills, after the tea plantations here under the TATA Company. The etymological meaning of the name Munnar is 'Three Rivers'. The land is located at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.

The history of Munnar is the history of teal plantations here. It was in 1870 J.D. Munro, a European, identified that this land is absolutely fit for agriculture. In 1877 he leased 580 Sq Kilometers of land from the Poonjar Raja who was in control of the land, called the Kanan Devan Concession Land, was completely undeveloped and unexplored, and covered with thick jungle filled with elephants, tigers and other wild animals. In partnership with H. G. Turner of the Madras Civil Service was he founded the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society, whose members developed their own estates in various parts of these high ranges. They tried many crops such as coffee, cinchona, sisal and cardamom before discovering that Tea is the best suit for the area. The first tea plant was planted by A. H. Sharp at Parvathi, now in Sevenmullay estate. In 1893-95 the concession area was purchased by Muir and Co. which later become.