Tea Plantations of Munnar, India

Tea supposedly has its origin in China. Over time it gained popularity and is widely consumed across the world, mainly for its health benefits. Indian legend “Ramayana” has reference to a unique herb. Hanuman-1 went to the Himalayan mountain terrain and got tea leaves-2 to heal the wounded Laxman (brother of Ram-3), as he was injured fighting against the demon king of Lanka, Raavan. (Read the footnotes)​

Tea is mainly grown in mountainous terrain where the climate is usually cold and rainy. Rain clouds in the mountainous terrain always water and seem to kiss the tea plantation. Fertile mountain soil nourishes the tea plants and passes on the nutrients through the shallow tea roots to the leaves. Water must never stagnate in the tea plant. Hence, a step like a terrace is created in the terrain to benefit the tea plantation.

Munnar is one such beautiful place with abundant tea gardens and resorts in Kerala, South India. The rich vegetation and pleasant climate on the hilly terrain make it an ideal tourist spot. Many resorts have their abode on one of the many hilly terrains overlooking the tea plantation and scenic beauty of Western Ghats.​

​Munnar is one such beautiful place with abundant tea gardens and resorts in Kerala, South India. The rich vegetation and pleasant climate on the hilly terrain make it an ideal tourist spot. Many resorts have their abode on one of the many hilly terrains overlooking the tea plantation and scenic beauty of Western Ghats.​

Munnar is one such beautiful place with abundant tea gardens and resorts in Kerala, South India. The rich vegetation and pleasant climate on the hilly terrain make it an ideal tourist spot. Many resorts have their abode on one of the many hilly terrains overlooking the tea plantation and scenic beauty of Western Ghats.​

There are many trekking paths in Munnar. Many treks need guides and permissions, and some do not. The long walk through the beautiful paths covered by the tea plantation is soothing for the eyes. The fresh air gives a much-needed vigor to the tired body. Up the crisscross, hilly terrain is less tiresome than climbing straight up. Going up the mud path, one can view not only the tea plantations but also laborers cutting the seasons tea leaves with scissors. Though technology has not penetrated the tea leaves plucking industry, tools have improved and resulted in efficient plucking of leaves. Scissors have bags at one end, paving the way for an efficient pluck. Gone are the days when laborers had to pluck the leaves with their bare hands and toss it on their back, which carries a huge bag. Today the laborers wear long boots and gloves for protection against leeches and small snakes. Talking to the cheerful laborers is pleasant as they are friendly and talk about their life as seasonal Tea Leaf gatherers. For generations, they have been plucking leaves, and though their lives are filled with many hardships, they have a cheerful disposition and a jovial attitude. It took more than an hour to go up, explore, and come down the tea estate plantation. The long walk became less tiresome by the cheerful and curious questions from the laborers, they pose for the photographs, stories about elephants crossing their path while working and joking about life and people as such. It is hard to imagine elephants maintaining their balance on the hilly terrain and walking across the tea plantation. Still, photographs of rogue and other elephants prove that size does not matter to maintain a sturdy composure. Many laborers have frequent encounters with elephants. Some rogue elephants attack the estate destroying whatever crosses their path. Some pass by in search of water and food. The workers do lead a precarious life as many a time they are unaware of elephants walking on the estate.
Not many tea plantations and not many estates are open to the public for trekking. The one at Kannan Devan’s tea estate is open to all with a clear path through the tea plantation leading to the dam at the other end and the main road on the other. On the whole, it was a fun and educational family walk talking, exploring, and learning about the tea plantation.​


Few advantages of drinking Green Tea
1. Controls blood pressure thus reducing hyper tension.
2. Excellent drink to reduce obesity.
3. Decreases the risk of getting heart diseases.
4. Prevents increase in blood sugar levels.
5. Great antioxidant that reduces the effect of ageing on skin, wrinkles and sun burn.
6. Protects against tooth decay and bad breadth problem.

1 . Hanuman; The mythical Hindu  god.
2 . The tea leaves in that particular story were called the ‘Sanjeevani.’
3 . Ram; the hero of the Ramayana. He was an incarnation of a major Hindu God