Luxury in Kerala: 5-Star Resorts

Geography of Marayoor
Marayoor is a small cozy town, located 42 kilometers from Munnar. The first thing that comes to the mind of a person who has been to Marayoor might be the peasant , intoxicating smell of Sandal or the sweet smell of fresh jaggery (Marayursharkara). The blend of different terrains along with the amazing view and cool climate attracts tourists from all around the world to Marayoor. It is believed that Lord
Rama and Sita had arrived here during their Vanavasam. In Mahabharatham also, the area has been mentioned. The pandavas had stayed her during their vanavasam and the place initially known as ‘Maranjirunnor’ (The hiding ones)came to be known as Marayoor later on.

People
The total population of Marayoor is 12,399. Being early migrants from Tamil Nadu, people here speak Tamil and follow a blend of Tamil and Keralite culture. Being the only place in Kerala where natural sandalwood trees are present,Marayoor has secured its place in the hearts of tourists. The collected goods from the forest are processed ecologically by the locals here. People in Marayoor mainly live mainly on cultivation of crops and small scale businesses. The tourism potential of the place was explored by the world before a decade and since then,these people thrive on local businesses from the tourists.

Marayoor History
Marayur is an ancient town belonging to the Stone Age civilization. The identity of Marayoor was shaped up with the migrants who came from Tamil Nadu, when Thirumalainaikar, the king of Madurai was defeated by Tipu Sultan. These people created five villages, each one known for its own specialties today. These villages are Karayur, Kottakudi, Kanthallor, Keezhanthur and Marayoor. The group of villages known as ‘anjunadu’ flourished when the migrants started to cultivate crops in the golden soil. The megalithic Dolmens of Marayur, called the muniyarasare supposed to be burial chambers of people from the stone age. A few of these Dolmenoidshave many chambers in them where as some of them are covered with granite slabs. This historic wealth can be seen near the Thenkasinathan temple near Kovilkadavu, where the main deity is Lord Shiva. They can also be found near some areas of Pius Nagar. part from Stone Age, there are historic vestiges of Iron Age as well. One of the dolmens has a circular hole of about 28 centimeter; there are other holes with heights ranging from 140 centimeters to 3500 centimeters of depth. It is believed that people used to live under these roofed dolmens in the cemetery. It is also assumed that dolmens with 70 to 90 meters of height were used to bury people from higher social class whereas the deeper burial urns were used for commoners. Ancient rock paintings were retrieved from the Ezhuthuguha in Attala in Marayurpanchayat. More than 90 motifs can be found here. While most of them are incomprehensible images, some of them are human and animals figures.

Geography of Marayoor
The terrain of Marayoor is complex yet challenging. With rain and deciduous forests, rivers, waterfalls, brooks, hills, rock hills, fields, hamlets and Sholas, Marayoor is indeed a feast for an adventure junkie. The altitudes range from 500 meters near Chinnar and goes upto 2300 meters at Nandalamalai. The soil here has a good amount of minerals, making it extremely fertile and ideal for crops like sugarcane. The area experiences dry summers and wet winters. Winter in Marayoor is famous, with the bright sunlight tingling over cold wind, the climate is ideal for good holiday. With over 1000 species of exotic plants, Marayoor is known for its plethora of flora. With the largest number of reptilian and avian species, this place is truly a home for many creatures. Species like Grizzled Giant square, white bison, sambar deer, common langur, leapord, bonnet macaque etc can be spotted here. The butterfly migration that occurs here during monsoon is indeed a sight

Transportation
You can either come to Marayur from Udumalpettu or Munnar. Public transportation is frequentlyavailable from Munnar to Marayur. You can also take a cab from Munnar . There are a number of spots to stop by if you are taking the Munnar - Marayur route like Chinnar wildlife sanctuary, Cheeyaparawaterfalls, tea estate, tea museum etc.

Accessability
Marayur is at a distance of 55 kilometers from Idukki and 40 kilometers from Munnar. The nearest airport is the Cochin which is 173 kilometers away from Marayur. The nearest railway station is atAluva, about 120 kilometers away

Tourism
The breathtaking beauty, challenging terrains and the historical vestiges has left Munnar with a lot of tourism potential. You can buy fresh jaggery and sandalwood oil from the town. You will also get strawberry wine,fresh fruits and vegetables in this region. If you are looking for a best resort in Marayoor or nearby places, there are a number of options. But, a mudhouse in Marayur are the most famous one. Being promoted by Niche stays, this property is dream- come- true for all travellers. With amazing food, and modern amenities without interrupting the natural vibe, Nature Tones is undoubtedly the best mud house in Marayoor.