Munnar waits for the bewitching rains to enthral tourists

Munnar: The beautiful hill station, with its serene weather and natural beauty, always draw crowds to enjoy its vibrant monsoon. But this year it has received very less rainfall.

Normally, Munnar receives 160 cm rainfall from January to July 10 but it has received only 76.25 cm rainfall so far. Mostly Munnar receives 400-450 cm rainfall in an year.

Tourists flock to Munnar in monsoon to experience the misty tea gardens, scenic hills, paths covered with fog and a pleasant climate.

The beautiful monsoon

Munnar is where you can enjoy the most mesmerising looks of the rains. People in Munnar has named it 'number 40 slanting rain' as it rains along with wind in 40 degree slant angle. It is also believed that the rain drops have a width similar to that of the thickness of the 40th thread of yarn used in weaving.

The light drizzles and heavy showers never fails to charm in Munnar. It has an ethereal charm in places like Marayur, Kanthalloor, Mattupetty and Vattavada. The visitors would be enchanted by the dark rain clouds that cast a mystical feel over Marayur.

Though Vattavada, where fresh organic vegetables are grown, is just 40 kilometres away from Munnar, the weather here is influenced by the climate in Tamil Nadu. So, the monsoon in Vattavada is often limited to a few rain showers. The same could be said about Mattupetty as well. However, the visitors are able to enjoy boating at these places.

Hundreds of tourists from the Gulf region, especially Saudi Arabia and Oman, are expected to arrive in Munnar to enjoy the beautiful monsoon.

Munnar got its name from the three rivers – 'aars' in Malayalam – that flow in the area. There are Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundali. Munnar is located between the panchayats Pallivasal, Devikulam, Marayur, Mankulam, and Kuttampuzha.

The topography of Munnar became what it is now thanks to the tea gardens owned by the Tatas. However, the first tourist bungalows near Munnar town were built by the British. The CSI church and cemetery at Old Munnar were also built by them. At the highest point in this cemetery lies the tomb of a British lady named Eleanor Isabel May.