Marayur Situated in the Idukki district of Kerala, approximately 42 kilometers north of the well-known hill town, Munnar, is Marayur, often referred to as Marayoor, a hidden gem. In this charming village, breathtaking scenery blends well with exhilarating experiences. We’ll look at the enthralling scenery, extensive history, alluring animals, and appealing artwork that characterize Marayur tourism in this post.
Marayur’s Unique Natural Treasure
Marayur is unique in Kerala in that it is the only location where sandalwood trees grow naturally. When you go out on your adventure, you’ll come across enormous stretches of land covered in stately sandalwood trees, each with its own number and encircled by fences for protection. Respecting these limits is essential since messing with these priceless trees is a serious violation that carries a jail sentence.
The Forest Department’s Sandalwood factory captures the spirit of Marayur’s special appeal. Intriguing windows into history can be found in the area’s “muniyaras,” or caves decorated with antiquated murals and artifacts from the New Stone Age culture.
Natural and Historical Marvels
Discovering Marayur entails becoming fully immersed in the area’s historical and natural treasures. The adjacent Rajiv Gandhi National Park and the Thoovanam Waterfall add to Marayur’s tourism appeal.
Stories of prehistoric life are revealed through the Stone Age dolmens and rock art found in Marayur. It’s a beautiful, heavenly, and comparatively undiscovered tourist destination that is similar to Munnar in many ways. Because of its fantastic trekking prospects, adventure enthusiasts especially adore this town.
The Scenic Journey to Marayur
Traveling from Munnar to Marayur is an exciting experience in and of itself. You pass through verdant plantations, gorgeous waterfalls, shrub forests, and tea estates. This tour ends with a ride through the magnificent sandalwood forests that take you to Marayur. You are welcome to walk around the sandal forest, but please remember that because of the protective measures in place, you should not touch or disrupt the trees.
Aromatic Experiences
The wonderful aroma of sandalwood and the sweet taste of jaggery, known locally as “Marayoor sharkara,” will meet you as soon as you arrive at Marayur. This jaggery gives your Marayur experience a delicious touch and is specially made from the sugarcane plantations that dot the area.
Flora and Fauna Delights
Marayur provides a range of adventures for those who love the outdoors. You can visit the locations where the famous jaggery is made or take a leisurely stroll among sugarcane crops. The hike paths take you into the deep woods, where you may experience the high-altitude montane evergreen shola forests and meadows, for those who are looking for adventure. These immaculate forests, embellished with ferns, lichens, and orchids, offer a window into a bygone era when the natural world was unadulterated, peaceful, and devoid of contaminants. In addition to a variety of butterflies and birds, you might see Nilgiri Langurs and Giant Malabar squirrels along the route.
Things to Do in Marayur
1. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary :
Just 9 kilometers away from Marayur, this sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.
2. Sandalwood Forest :
Explore the natural treasure trove of Marayur, where sandalwood trees thrive.
3. Thoovanam Waterfalls :
A short 3.7-kilometer drive from Marayur takes you to the captivating Thoovanam Waterfalls, a visual treat for nature lovers.
4. Irachilpara Waterfalls :
Explore the beauty of Irachilpara Waterfalls, a lesser-known but equally enchanting spot.
5. Muniyara Anakottapara Peak :
Discover the mysterious dolmens and prehistoric history of the region at this peak.
Marayur’s Specialties
Marayur and the neighboring town of Kanthalloor are well known for its “Marayoor sarkara,” a remarkable solid molasses variant with a sugar concentration of 97 percent. The area is also well-known for its extensive sugarcane farming.
The Mystery of Marayur Dolmens
The Neolithic period in Kerala, which spanned from 3000 BC to 14000 BC, is when the dolmen cists in Marayur were created. Iron implements indicate that some of them date back to the Iron Age. These dolmens offer priceless insights into the prehistoric customs and ways of life in this area.
Health Benefits of Marayur Jaggery
Not only is Marayur jaggery delicious to eat, but it also contains important minerals and nutrients. It has a lot of iron and folate, which can strengthen immunity, purify the blood, and raise red blood cell counts.
Getting There
You can travel the picturesque path from Munnar to Marayur, which passes through tea estates, waterfalls, and enthralling sandalwood forests. It is advised to schedule your travel to coincide with Marayur’s ideal visitor season.
Where is Marayur?
Marayur is located in the Idukki district of Kerala, India.
Best Time to Visit Marayur
The post-monsoon and winter months, which run from September to March, are the ideal times to visit Marayur because of the beautiful weather that makes outdoor activities enjoyable.
In conclusion
Traveling to Marayur is like taking a trip through adventure, history, and environment. Every traveler should visit Marayur because of its rich biodiversity, mysterious dolmens, jaggery’s charm, and the air scented with sandalwood. Marayur has a lot to offer everyone, whether they are adventure seekers, history buffs, or lovers of the outdoors. Arrange your visit to this charming town and take in all that Marayur tourism has to offer.
Also Read : One Day in Munnar: A Whirlwind Adventure from Ernakulam