Telugu heartthrob Vijay Deverakonda has conquered the hearts of South Indian moviegoers with his unbeatable charm and amazing acting prowess. The actor is now in Munnar shooting for his latest movie. Vijay has shared many pictures of the misty mornings and the verdant tea plantations in Munnar on his social media page. The actor often goes for early morning runs, too, to enjoy the clean weather and the enchanting beauty of Munnar. He even posed for selfies with the forest officers, making it an unforgettable trip.
What he got to enjoy
Munnar, touted as the Kashmir of the South, is situated 1600 meters above sea level. The hill station got its name, which means ‘three rivers’, as it is at the confluence of Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala rivers. Munnar dons unique looks during the cool rain showers and the smoky mist. The British had chosen Munnar as their summer residence as the weather was incredibly beautiful and comfortable. The scintillating tea plantations, beautiful hamlets, fabulous viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the hill station, dams, misty weather, soothing rains and amazing accommodation facilities make Munnar a travellers’ paradise. Munnar is also home to the iconic neelakurinji or strobilanthes kunthiana that blooms once in twelve years, and the rare Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered species. Anamudi, the tallest mountain in South India, is also in Munnar.
If you want to visit...
Eravikulam National Park is the best place to visit if you want to see Nilgiri Tahr and Munnar's rich biodiversity. The park is 97 square kilometres and is home to rare butterflies, birds and wildlife. Trekking facilities are also arranged here if you are interested in trying your hands at adventure activities. As you climb uphill, you will notice that one side of the mountain is covered in lush greenery. Meanwhile, the hills and the meadows would don an enchanting hue of blue when the neelakurinji blooms. That is also when Munnar is swarmed with tourists from all over the world.
Anamudi, the highest mountain in South India, is situated inside the Eravikulam National Park. With permission from the forest department, you could plan trekking trips to Anamudi, which is 2700 metres tall. The journey to Anamudi should begin only after seeking a permit from the authorities at the Eravikulam National Park. The Mattupetti dam, one of the most visited spots in Munnar, is just 13 kilometres away from Munnar town. Situated at 1700 meters above sea level, this dam is a major landmark near the Anamudi ranges, where you can enjoy calming greenery and a thrilling boat ride in the reservoir. Besides, you shouldn’t miss the Mattupetti farm managed by the Indo–Swiss livestock project. Here, you can see some special cow breeds that produce high amounts of milk.
Pallivasal, the first hydroelectric project in Kerala, is three kilometres from Chithirapuram in Munnar. The mesmerizing natural beauty is the highlight of this region. Pallivasal is also a spot to find many luxury and affordable resorts. From here, you could go to Chinnakanal, another tourist spot popularly known as the Powerhouse waterfall. This waterfall, surrounded by the mighty Western Ghats, falls from a height of 2000 metres. Anayirankal, which is only seven kilometres away from Chinnakanal stands out for its captivating nature and beautiful tea plantations. You could visit the Anayirankal Lake and Dam by travelling 22 kilometres on the Munnar – Kumily route. The evergreen forests and the tea plantations here offer a glorious treat to your eyes.
Kerala's cherry blossoms
Kundala Dam is on the way to the top station. The boat ride in the reservoir is the major attraction here. The cherry blossom garden near the dam attracts hundreds of visitors every day. As many people visit, you can find many luxury resorts at this place. The road to the top station, 32 kilometres away from Munnar, leads to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. This beautiful region, situated 1700 metres above sea level, is the topmost point in Munnar. You can enjoy panoramic views of the Kolukkumala and Kundala regions from the top station.
A drive through the old Munnar—Kodaikanal escape route, enjoying the wild beauty of the Pambadum Shola forest and the mist-covered Western Ghats, could be a mesmerizing experience. If you are lucky, you could spot wild animals, birds, and butterflies on this adventure trip. The forest department organises trekking trips for tourists here. After crossing the Munnar top station, you could purchase tickets to enter Vattavada, another scintillating hill station in the Western Ghats.