Muniyara – Marayoor

Marayoor is a rain shadow village lying in the eastern side of the Western Ghats. With it’s natural beauty this place is bound to attract a travelling heart. Located just 40 kilometres away from Munnar is a scenic locale by the name of Marayoor, which is famous for its naturally growing sandalwood forest and dolmens from the Stone Age Civilisation. Marayoor is the only place in Kerala with a natural growth of sandalwood trees. In the 18th century, when Tipu Sultan defeated a Madurai king, it led to a lot of people migrating to the north-east area of Kerala, which led to the creation of five villages together known as Anju Nadu, of which Marayoor is one; the rest four are Karayur, Keezhanthoor, Kottakudi and Kanthalloor. Marayoor is one of the rarest places in India that can boast of a history dating all the way back to the Stone Age circa 10000 BC. Major attraction at Marayoor is the Muniyaras. These Muniyarasare built-up using rocks. These Muniyaras are megalithic structures. Muniyara is a region that fascinates anthropologists and archaeologists from around the world, These were burial chambers. Stone Age is the oldest of the three historic ages the others being Bronze Age and Iron Age. The period had ended 4000 years ago or before. Considering this age, these structures are really a wonder today.