Travel and Tourism

My Keralam

India's most idyllic state-better known as God's Own Country- is today one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. Secluded beaches, palm, fringed backwaters mist clad hill stations ,lush tropical forests, water falls, exotic wildlife , monuments ,art forms and festivals give it a distinctive charm. Apart from being a tourist destination, Kerala is also India's most advanced society. 100% literate, the State has India's highest density of science and technology personal. India's highest Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI ). India's highest life expectancy and lowest infant mortality rates. And is India's cleanest, most peaceful State.

Kerala at a glance

Along a sun drenched coastline, to the extreme south west of the Indian peninsula, lies Kerala, beautiful and benign. Flanked by the Arabian sea on the west and the mountains of the Western Ghats on the east, this land of Parasurama stretch north-south along a coast line of 580 kms with a varying width of 35 to 120 kms.
Cascading delicately down the hills to the golden coasts covered by verdant coconut groves, the topography and physical characteristics change distinctly from east to west.

Geography

Kerala is located on the southwestern tip of India with the Arabian Sea on the west and Western Ghats towering 500-2700m on the east. The State is divided into three regions - the coastal lowlands, the fertile midlands and the highlands. The lowlands of Kerala are networked by endless backwaters and the deltas of forty-four rivers. The midlands are rich with cashew, coconut, arecanut, tapioca, banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegetable plantations. The forested high lands abound in tea, coffee, rubber and spice plantations and wildlife reserves.

Munnar

Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country.Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar has all these and more. It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to leave- so welcome - log on to munnar.com for all information on Munnar anytime, every time.

Munnar Hills

The nature-lover’s paradise. Snuggling in the green and serene Kannan Devan Hills, lies the quite and restful resort of Munnar, at an altitude of 1524 m and 136 km off Cochin.Panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a pretty little heaven with a cool bracing climate. It was opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneering planters. The Kundale Tea Plantation - An area surrounding a lovely lake that offers some of the most stunning views of the region. It offers the best opportunity you are ever likely to have to see the tea plantations, to watch tea being picked, to learn how tea is processed, to smell the sweet scent of tea wafting through the air and to buy the tea directly from the gardens.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower that bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m.

NEELAKURINJI FLOWERS

NEELAKURINJI FLOWERS, The Strobilanthus shrub that blooms only once in twelve years has bloomed in this year 2006. Now is the auspicious time to be in Munnar . The flowers picturesquely carpet the entire hillsides with its mauve blossoms. The next flowering is in the year 2018 and thereafter in 2030 and so on. NEELAKURINJI the local name of the flower. For those in Munnar, the blooming of Kurinji flower is a reminder that their lives have gone past another twelve years, and for those from far off; may be it is reminder to witness a once in a life time rare sight of the Kurinji flowers covering the slopes and ravines of Munnar in a blanket of blue. In the year 1994, the flowers showed up at some places around Munnar like Mattupetty and Top Station. Shortly, the slopes of Munnar hills got blanketed by the Kurinji flowers, which added yet another alluring charm to the sights and sounds of Munnar.

Visitors to Munnar in the coming months can enjoy this marvelous sight, which is bound to leave an everlasting memory about this fascinating hill resort.

One interesting result of the gregarious flowering of Stroilanthes is the largest increase in bees found in its vicinity during the flowering period. Immense quantities of honey become available and the rock bees and common hill bees visit the plant. it is also believed that honey collected from near the blossoms is the sweetest. A lot of mythological significance is also attributed to the flower.