Munnar
Grama Panchayat

Munnar Grama Panchayat: Geography and Climate
​The Munnar Grama Panchayat officially came into existence on January 24, 1961.
​Boundaries
​North: Coimbatore District
​South: Pallivasal Grama Panchayat
​East: Devikulam and Marayoor Grama Panchayats
​West: Mankulam and Kuttampuzha Grama Panchayats
​Landscape and Agriculture
​Spanning an area of 187 sq. km, Munnar Panchayat is located at the easternmost edge of the Idukki district, in the eastern part of Kerala—a state renowned as India's spice garden. Munnar stands out from other regions in Kerala due to its distinct geography, climate, culture, and crops. This picturesque region is nestled amidst the Sahyadri mountain ranges, which form part of the Western Ghats, and falls under the High Ranges agro-climatic zone.
​In addition to its lush, green, sprawling tea plantations, Munnar cultivates winter vegetables like carrots, beetroot, cabbage, and peas. It also grows crops that are otherwise rare in the state, such as wheat, broken wheat (sooji wheat), garlic, and various fruits. Characterized by high peaks, sheer cliffs, hills, valleys, and small plains, Munnar is classified under the highland (Malanadu) region.
​Key Geographic Features
​Elevation: Regions here range from 3,500 to 8,500 feet above sea level.
​Anamudi Peak: Part of the Sahyadri range, Anamudi is the highest peak in South India. Located about 30 km from Munnar, it stands at an elevation of 8,841 feet.
​Rivers: The Nallar, Palar, and Kanniyar rivers originate from various parts of the Munnar Panchayat and merge in Munnar to form the Muthirappuzha River. Flowing westward, it becomes a major tributary of the Periyar River.
​Power Generation: The Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer Headworks, a small dam, is built across the Muthirappuzha River. Water diverted from here is used to generate electricity at the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project.
​Years ago, life in this region was extremely difficult due to torrential rains, biting cold, and heavy fog that blanketed the area for more than eight months a year. However, the climate has undergone significant changes over time.
​Tourism and Regional Highlights
​While Munnar and Vattavada panchayats primarily focus on vegetable cultivation, Mankulam (which was once a part of Munnar Panchayat) has around 250 hectares dedicated to rubber cultivation.
​Known as the "Kashmir of the South" and wrapped in a green carpet of tea gardens, Munnar belongs to the Devikulam Block Panchayat, which boasts numerous attractions for tourists:
​Major Tourist Attractions
​Devikulam Block Area: Anamudi Peak, Rajamala (habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr), Eravikulam National Park (famous for its grasslands), Mattupetty and Kundala reservoirs, Devikulam Lake, Top Station, and the Indo-Swiss Project.
​Marayoor & Surrounding Regions: The sandalwood forests of Marayoor, megalithic rock paintings (Ezhuthara) and dolmens (Muniyaras), Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, the scenic beauty of the Pambar River, the legendary Thenkashinathan Cave Temple at Kovilkadavu, and the Thoovanam Waterfalls.
​Other Nearby Destinations: Guhanathapuram reservoir in Kanthalloor, the beautiful hills of Vattavada, Anayirangal Dam in Santhanpara and Chinnakanal panchayats, the Gap area (which resembles Kodaikanal), the picturesque Muttukadu village, and dozens of ancient dolmens on Venattumala.
​The region is also unique for its numerous tea factories, countless waterfalls, and indigenous tribal communities living away from the mainstream in areas like Mankulam and Edamalakudy. Additionally, once every 12 years, the blooming of the Neelakurinji flowers enhances the beauty of the Munnar hills, attracting tens of thousands of tourists.
​History and Early Settlement
​Human habitation in the dense, fierce forests of Munnar—a mountain valley in the Western Ghats network—is believed to have begun around 900 AD.
​The First Settlers (The Muthuvans)
​The first migrants to Munnar were people fleeing for their lives due to wars between local chieftains in Tamil Nadu. Because they arrived carrying their belongings on their backs (Muthuku), they came to be known as the Muthuvans. For nearly 900 years, their generations lived and died in isolation, battling wild animals without any contact with the outside world.
​The Arrival of Modern Society
​In 1877, Colonel John Daniel Munro, a lawyer for the Travancore government, met the local chieftain, Kannan Thevan. With his help, Munro leased land from the Poonjar Maharaja and started farming. To assist with agricultural labor, people were brought in from various regions of Tamil Nadu, which laid the foundation for the modern society seen here today.
​The confluence of the Palar, Kanniyar, and Nallathanniyar rivers was named Munnar (meaning "three rivers") and became the heart of the region. Consequently, the Muthuvans who had been living there retreated to Edamalakudy and other nearby areas.
​Cultural Traditions
​The Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Munnar was a place of worship for the tribal community centuries ago. Their Vilakku Mahotsavam (festival of lamps) is what is celebrated today as the Karthika festival.
​Just like the belief that Mahabali, who was pushed down to the underworld, returns on Thiruonam day to visit his subjects, the Muthuvans descend from the hills to Munnar for the Karthika festival. Their celebration is still known today as the Muthuvan Karthika.
​Agricultural Shift and Modern Challenges
​Coffee, cardamom, cinchona, and sisal were the crops initially cultivated in the Munnar region. However, as these crops did not progress as expected, the focus shifted to tea cultivation.
​The Great Flood of 1924
​In the early days, the region experienced exceptionally heavy rains that made human habitation difficult. As a result of these torrential downpours, a massive flood struck the high-altitude region of Munnar in 1924, completely submerging Munnar town and its surrounding areas. Following this disaster, Munnar town was relocated to its present site, and the original area came to be known as Old Munnar. In recent times, the region has also witnessed widespread landslides, resulting in heavy losses of human life and agricultural crops.
​The Rise of Tourism
​Although tourists had always been drawn to the region's natural beauty, it was only about two decades ago that tourism evolved into a major industry, securing Munnar a prominent spot on the global tourism map.
​The buildings constructed in this sector by the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company—which was part of the British East India Company—were built in complete harmony with the environment. However, the recent uncontrollable influx of tourists has created a demand for expanded accommodation, leading to the rise of multi-story buildings in several places.