Manjolai Hills, Thirunelveli
Manjolai
Hills is a lovely hill station tucked away deep in the magnificent Kalakad
Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats. The hills rise to a height of
1000-1500 meters and are covered here with tranquil tea gardens. Manjolai Hills
is above the Manimuthar Dam and the picturesque Manimuthar Waterfalls and is 70
Kms from Tirunelveli. Manjolai Hills is famed for its lovely weather, which is
such a blessing after the searing heat of the plains. It is also known for its
awesome scenic beauty and the serenity of its surroundings.
Manjolai
Hills will offer you some well-deserved R&R (rest and relaxation). Just
looking out at the panorama of emerald green tea gardens laid out like a welcoming
carpet can soothe you. There are some nice viewpoints from where you can relish
some stunning views of the surrounding hills and forests. Gushing waterfalls,
grassy meadows and dense forest make this a nature lover’s dream comes true.
Enjoy the serene tranquility and glorious beauty of Manjolai Hills. Take longs
walks in the quiet tea gardens or trek into the nearby forests.
Head to
Manjolai Hills and savor the peace and quiet and enjoy some great views. You
could trek into the forest and spot some wild animals. It’s definitely a
must-visit destination of you want to recharge and refresh your city-weary
batteries. Manjolai is a hill station, at a height of around 1162 m. This place
is famous for its tea plantations, amongst which the Bombay Burma Tea Estate is
the most prominent. Due to its scenic beauty, this place is compared with
Udhagamandalam (Ooty). Other important tourist spots near Manjolai are the
Kakkachi and Nalumukku.
The area
around Manjolai hills comprises tea plantation, Upper Kodayar Dam, a view point
named Kuthiravetti and small settlements. One can spot three tea estates within
the Manjolai area. A trip to Manjolai is worth the visit. There are many small
waterfalls amidst lush greenery all the way to the top. The place has not been,
however disturbed by mankind and the birds with their cries and chirps welcome
all visitors to the place. Manjolai is also called the poor man’s Ooty.
Trekkers
can have good time trekking amidst of thick plantations. You should also visit
the Manimuthar Falls. A dam was built across the fall and it is named as Manimuthar
Dam. One can also catch the breathtaking view from the windy view point called Kuthiravetti.
It is essential to get permission from forest department while travelling in
private vehicles. Government buses are also available to reach this lovely
hillock.
En route
to Manjolai from Manimuthar, do stop at the pretty Dasan Pool (called Tarzan
Pool by the locals!). The pool has crystal clear fresh water and is surrounded
by lush greenery. It is a lovely place to breathe in some chilled, fresh
mountain air. Check out both the Manimuthar Dam and Papanasam Dam. Enjoy
a boat ride at Vana Theertham. Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is a lovely
place and will fascinate wildlife lovers. You may also be lucky to catch a
glimpse of elephants, bears, bison, wild boar and Sambar deer. However,
do remember that this is a reserved forest so you will need permission from the
Forest Department.
General Information
Area
|
16.41 Sq. Kms
|
Altitude
|
1162 Meters
|
Climate
|
Winter: 10°C - 20° C Summer:
16°C - 25° C
|
Average
|
13°C - 20° C
|
Rainfall
|
800 mm
|
Season
|
Beast Season - November - March
|
Clothing
|
Light Woolen in Winter & Cotton in Summer
|
Calling Code
|
+ 91 - 462
|
Places of
Interest
Places
of Tourist Interest in Manjolai Hills are listed below;
Dasan Pool (Tarzan Pool):
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Mini Golf Course, Kakkachi:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Kakkachi Lake:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Kuthiravetti:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Kuttiyar Dam:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Manimuthar Tea Estate:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Manjolai Tea Estate:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Nalumukku:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Oothu Tea Estate:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Singampatty Zamin Palace, Zamin Singampatty:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Vanapetchi Amman Temple:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Varakkattai View Point:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Manimuthar Falls:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Upper Kodayar Dam:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Nearby
Places of Interest
Places
of Tourist Interest nearby Manjolai Hills are listed below;
Banatheertham Falls, Papanasam
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Agasthiyar Falls (Papanasam Falls), Papanasam
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Papanasanathar Temple
For brief
details, please refer below link;
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Nearby Dams
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Food
& Accommodation
This
place is not often visited and as such there is only an estate teashop where
snacks and tea are available. This tea stall caters to the local estate
employees and to the wander lust that arrives in the place in trickles.
Accommodation at the base of Manjolai estate is provided by the State Tourism
department in a place called Singampatty Zamin. There is a guest house in
Kuthiravetti which has to be booked in advance. The place behind the Guest
house is a great place to view elephants, bears, Sambar deer and wild boars.
The
ideal place to stay is the Forest department guest house in Kuthiravetti, TNEB
quarters in Kothaiyar and Police quarters in Manjolai Estate. But these places
are to be booked in advance and it is extremely off to the tourists as these accommodations
are often occupied by the respective department bigwigs.
Hotel
Alankar and Annai Chicken are some of the good places to eat near Manimutharu
because Manjolai Hills does not have any good restaurants or accommodation
options. Tourists have to carry fruits and water with them when they go for a
trekking trip to Manjolai. Local specialties like Vatha Kuzhambu, Padaneer,
Ambai chicken Kuzhambu etc. are must-eat dishes here.
Few
Staying Options near Manjolai Hills are listed below;
Singampatty Zamin Palace Guest House:
Thiru T.
N. S. Murugadoss
Rajah of
Singampatty Zamin,
Zamin Singampatty
– 627416,
Ambasamudram
Taluk,
Thirunelveli
District
Phone: +91 – 4634 – 250209
Mobile: +91 – 9443351762
Baskar Lodge:
Kallidaikurichi,
Ambasamudram
Taluk,
Thirunelveli
District
Phone: +91 – 4634 – 251008 / 252652 / 252653
Mobile: +91 – 9842150924
Travel
Advisory
Permission
from the Forest Department is required for going to Manjolai estate and
Kuthiravetti. This can be arranged with the State Tourist Department. There are
monkeys at Manimuthar Falls and visitors have to be careful of their
belongings. Plastic carry bags are frowned at and it is better to carry food in
packing containers that can be destroyed after the adventure. To visit Kodayar
Dam, permission has to be availed from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board
officials.
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;