Munnar – The Biggest Addas Of Tea Cultivation
Munnar is one of the biggest addas of tea cultivation and trade in India. Until the early 19th century, Munnar and the surrounding area was a dense forest. In 1870, a subordinate of the ruler of Travancore leased 588 sq km of land to a Scottish tea planer, J.D. Munro, who was the lawyer in the employment of Travancore government. The landscape of Munnar changed for good in 1886, when A.H. Sharp planted the first tea sapling on Parvathy Estate. Since then, the world in general seems to be enchanted by the bews of the leaves grown in this quaint hill station in Kerala.
Currently, there are plenty of tea estates in Munnar— with most having been taken over by Tata Tea. While there is a plethora of tea estates to choose for your holiday, Windermere surely sands out because this is where the manicured tea gardens will make you wonder precisely what shades of green you are viewing. About 110 km from Kochi International Airport, Windermere is a piece of heaven in God’s own country.
At nearly 4,000 feet above sea level, the residence provide visitors spectacular views of the surrounding hills and offer an opportunity to capture the essence of planter’s life. The green carpet of tea plantations, the chirping of birds and cascading waterfalls is the closest one can come to nirvana amidst nature. You can curl up by the fireplace with a good read, but if you like to be up and about tea walks, cardamom walks and mountain terks give you quality time to bond with yourself and nature. A picnic at the Attukadu waterfall is a must-experience. There are bird-watching trips and jeep safari too. The famed Tea Museum is close to Winder mere estate. Set up at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea, the Tea Museum is an ode to the toils and rigours of tea pioneers, who were resolute in their efforts to transform Munnar into a major plantation centre of Kerala. It houses curios, photographs and machinery, each depicting a turning point that contributed to the flourishing tea industry region.
