Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in South India.
Munnar's mesmerising greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts honeymooners and tourists throughout the year. It is a weekend hideout location for domestic tourists during summer season. Foreign travellers likes watching the natural beauty of Kerala while the journey from Thekkady to Munnar.
Munnar is at the confluence of three rivers. In Tamil, the word 'munnu' means "three" and 'aar' means "river". Hence "Munnar" is a shortened version of 'Munnu Aar'. The 3 mountain streams joining together here are Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar is a commercial centre with one of the world's best tea estates. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. Among these, majority of the plantations are owned by Tata Group's Kannan Devan Tea Estate. A visit to Munnar can witness the nurturing of tea in plantation to the process of manufacturing and packing. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar area exposes it's beauty. The tea plants covered Munnar hills makes the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet.
Enjoy the beauty of Munnar
HOUSE BOATS OF KERALA
Kerala Houseboats cruising along the backwaters of Kerala is an unforgettable experience. If you have not experienced it, here is a golden opportunity to do it at a fraction of its original cost. You could get in any House Boat of your liking, saunter down the cool placid waters of our world-famous backwaters, have a merry time and get back home either the same day or after spending a night as well out floating around.
House Boats are huge, slow moving, exotic barges designed for sheer leisure trips. Formerly, House Boat were used to ship rice and spices and other goods between Kuttanad and the Cochin port. It was a three-day affair those days. A standard House Boat, which could be about 100 feet long, can hold up to 30 tons, and that is as much as three big lorries can.A House Boat (which is made of hundreds of fine but heavy-duty planks of jack-wood) is held together absolutely by coir knots (not a single nail is used). KETTU means knot. This framework is then coated with a caustic black resin extracted from boiled cashew kernels. And it lasts for generations. Alleppey is the citadel of House Boats: There are some 120 of them, well maintained and perfected as luxury liners here. The crew cook on board, and most often, their meals included delicious peralspot fish caught straight from the water. A portion of the House Boat had bamboo roofing, and that was where the crew would rest.
The tradition continues: You will be enjoying the finest Kuttanadan delicacies when you saunter down the backwaters. You will be lounging in the best-furnished cabins with a view you cannot find anywhere else in the world, and the entire milieu is ecological. Fresh food, cooked in inimitable Kuttanadan style is the rage of the international tourists.A ride in a House Boat is the most stunning experience you could ever float into, or get floated into.And, nothing like it, if it rains while you are cozy inside the luxurious House Boat. It will be the most magical moment of your life. You could watch millions of drops of water splashing and pounding on the rhythm of the falling rain like you never had in all your life
House Boats are huge, slow moving, exotic barges designed for sheer leisure trips. Formerly, House Boat were used to ship rice and spices and other goods between Kuttanad and the Cochin port. It was a three-day affair those days. A standard House Boat, which could be about 100 feet long, can hold up to 30 tons, and that is as much as three big lorries can.A House Boat (which is made of hundreds of fine but heavy-duty planks of jack-wood) is held together absolutely by coir knots (not a single nail is used). KETTU means knot. This framework is then coated with a caustic black resin extracted from boiled cashew kernels. And it lasts for generations. Alleppey is the citadel of House Boats: There are some 120 of them, well maintained and perfected as luxury liners here. The crew cook on board, and most often, their meals included delicious peralspot fish caught straight from the water. A portion of the House Boat had bamboo roofing, and that was where the crew would rest.
The tradition continues: You will be enjoying the finest Kuttanadan delicacies when you saunter down the backwaters. You will be lounging in the best-furnished cabins with a view you cannot find anywhere else in the world, and the entire milieu is ecological. Fresh food, cooked in inimitable Kuttanadan style is the rage of the international tourists.A ride in a House Boat is the most stunning experience you could ever float into, or get floated into.And, nothing like it, if it rains while you are cozy inside the luxurious House Boat. It will be the most magical moment of your life. You could watch millions of drops of water splashing and pounding on the rhythm of the falling rain like you never had in all your life
KUMARAKOM - BEAUTY SPOT IN KERALA
Kumarakom,situated 13 Kms away from Kottayam is a sleepy little village on VembanadLake in Kerala. It offers wide variety of flora, exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experience. The bird sanctuary spread across 14 acres is safe home for many migratory birds like Siberian stork, wild duck etc. They live with other birds in flocks such as darters, herons, egret, waterfowls and cuckoos are fascinating sight for the visitors. The beautiful paradise stocked with mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut trees comprises with water ways and canals adorned with white lilies enchants the tourist from world over. The land is famous for it’s painstakingly hand craft each exquisite piece still made in a traditional way. VemanadLake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Chemeen (Prawns), the Konju (Tiger Prawns) and Karimeem.
Champakulam Moolam Boatrace
The oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, and is closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple. Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri, as instructed by the royal priest, built a temple at Ambalappuzha. But just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed, but his minister suggested an inspired solution. To bring down the beautiful idol of Sree Krishna - presented to Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities there and returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped at Champakulam to spent the night and perform a pooja. The next morning boats from the entire region assembled to escort the idol in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake to the Temple. Years later the pageant is still re-enacted with the same enthusiasm. An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated with colourful parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before the race. The race proper is held in various stages for various categories of boats.
SOME TOURIST SPOTS IN KERALA
Munnar
Thekkady (Periyar Tiger Reserve)
Established in 1934 as Nellikkampatty wild life sanctuary; the area was declared a project Tiger reserve in 1978 and it was notified as a national park. India is the only country, which protects the five big wild cats of the world namely, the Lion, the Tiger, the Leopard, The Snow Leopard and lauded Leopard; Periyar Tiger reserve in Thekkady is the one, which is the favourite haunt of European tourists.
The winding roads that snake the mountain ranges, the mist-covered cliffs and the vast expanse of tea plantations on both sides leads to Thekkady, is the largest and also the best known wild life sanctuary in Kerala. Spread across 777 sq. Km. of which 360sq. Km. is the ever green forest, the sanctuary is noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wild life and scenic beauty. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wild life at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake.
The winding roads that snake the mountain ranges, the mist-covered cliffs and the vast expanse of tea plantations on both sides leads to Thekkady, is the largest and also the best known wild life sanctuary in Kerala. Spread across 777 sq. Km. of which 360sq. Km. is the ever green forest, the sanctuary is noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wild life and scenic beauty. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wild life at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake.
Munnar
One of the most popular hill stations in India, is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 Mts. 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.
Payipad Boat Race
Payippad Jalotsavam is held on the Payippad Lake, which is 35 Km from Alappuzha, to commemorate the installation of deity at the Subrahmanya Swamy Temple , Harippad.
Legend says that the villagers decided to build a temple with Sree Ayyappa as the presiding deity After the temple was built, they had a vision directing them to a whirlpool in Kayamkulam Lake where they would find the idol of Sree Subramanya which was to be installed at the temple. Accordingly, the elders of the village with divers and swimmers rowed to the spot and found the idol which was escorted back ceremoniously by devotees from the entire region in colorfully.
Payipad Jalolsavam is held on Thiruvonam, Avittom and Chathayam days of the month of Chingam every year and the Boatrace is held on the Chathayam day
Legend says that the villagers decided to build a temple with Sree Ayyappa as the presiding deity After the temple was built, they had a vision directing them to a whirlpool in Kayamkulam Lake where they would find the idol of Sree Subramanya which was to be installed at the temple. Accordingly, the elders of the village with divers and swimmers rowed to the spot and found the idol which was escorted back ceremoniously by devotees from the entire region in colorfully.
Payipad Jalolsavam is held on Thiruvonam, Avittom and Chathayam days of the month of Chingam every year and the Boatrace is held on the Chathayam day
Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Alappuzha - Kerala
On the second saturday of August every year there occurs a grand water festival in Alleppey which has emerged as a national festival for this part of Kerala. It is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race which originated in 1952, on the occasion of the visit of the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit. Jawaharlal Nehru to Alapuzha.
In the race witnessed by Nehru, 'Nadubhagom Chundan' stood first. In the excitement of seeing the performance by the oarsmen, Jawaharlal Nehru jumped into the ‘Nadubhagam Chundan’, forgetting all security arrangements. The Prime Minister donated a silver trophy, which is a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus. The trophy bears his signature and the inscription "To the winners of the boat race, which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore - Cochin." The trophy is known as 'Nehru Trophy' later and is awarded to the winners of this boat race every year.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race has the honor of being the largest team sport in the world with each snake boat carrying a crew of rowers, cheerers, singers and steerer's numbering well over one hunderd and with more than 18 or so such boats participating it defenitly deserves the title.
This Boat Race has become so popular that a lot of tourists from different parts of the world come to see this, recently it has become a trend that people of far away land come and take part in the race, blond ladies working fast on the oars are more a delight to the spectators who cheer for them forgetting the competing local candidates. This race has thus become an integrating factor where people take part forgetting regional and racial barriers.
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