One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar (Kerala State) is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 ML above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea Plantations, Picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a tea town. The tea plantations have now been taken over by the KDHP Pvt. LTD.,. The visitor is greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations on entry into Munnar. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower which bathes the hills in blue colour once every twelve years.

The Neelakurinji, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi - which towers over 2695 M and is an ideal spot for campers who like to do some trekking. The Duke of Wellington is reputed to have been the first European visitor to Munnar, in 1790, but this is unlikely. In the early 19th century, the headman of the villages of Anchanad, just to the North of the high ranges was named Kanan Thevar. It is said that travelers from Madurai to the West coast passed through this villages and named these hills after him. An entry in the diary Madras army Lieutenant made in 1817 describes a bullock-road heading across the Kanan Devan hills into Coimbatore.

In 1877-79, the Poonjar Chief, a subordinate prince to the Maharaja of Travancore, leased a large tract of land comprising 588 sq. km. to a lawyer in the employee of the Travancore Government named J. D. Munro. This tract, henceforth called the Kanan Devan Concession Land, was completely undeveloped, largely unexplored, and covered with thick jungle full of wild elephants and tigers.

In Conjunction with Munro and H. G. Turner of the Madras Civil Service was founded the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society, whose members developed their own estates in various parts of the High Ranges. This first cultivation was undertaken by A. W. Turner near Devikulam lake in 1877. The pioneers tried many crops such as coffee, cinchona, sisal and cardamom before discovering tea, the product best suited to the area.The first tea plant was planted by A. H. Sharp at Parvathi, now in Sevenmullay estate, but then a 20 hectares (50 acres) clearing in an immense jungle. In 1893-95, the concession area was purchased by Muir and Co. which later became James Finlay & Co. Ltd.

The Kanan Devan Hills Produce Company was formed in 1897, and together with other subsidiaries of the Glasgow, UK - based Finally Group, namely, the Anglo-American Direct Tea Trading Company and the Amalgamated Tea Estates Company. It opened or came to purchase 33 estates in the high range and 9 in the the Anamallais.

In 1964 a collaborative venture between Finlays and Tatas was established to develop value-added tea, and in 1976 Tata-Finally Ltd purchased the black tea producing/marketing operation and other interests. The name of the company was changed to Tata Tea Ltd. in 1983 when Finlays sold their remaining share holdings including the considerable landholdings and manufacturing facilities in Northeastern India. Tata Tea Ltd. justifiably claims to be the largest integrated tea company in the world, with activities spanning the entire spectrum of the industry

Location:In the south Indian State of Kerala, on the high ranges of the western ghats.

Tourist Attractions:Mattupetty, Devikulam, Marayoor, Eravikulam National Park, Lock Heart Gap, Chithirapuram, Anayirangal, Attukal, Nyayamakad, Echo Point, Rajamala, Kundala, Power House Waterfalls,.

Best Activity:Trekking, boating, riding, angling.

When to Visit:September to May