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About Marayoor:Marayoor is one of the famous tourist spots in the Idukki District of Kerala state, South India. It is the land where nature, history and culture merge harmoniously into tourism. 42 kilometers north of Munnar through the Udumalppetta route, Marayoor is the only place in Kerala that has natural sandal wood forests. Ancient dolmens and rock paintings in Marayoor tell the story of a muted history dating back to the Stone Age. In 1991 Marayoor had a population of 9,590.[1]

Name and Legend The name Marayoor is said to be derived from two words “mara” and “oor”, in Malayalam and Tamil languages. “mara” means hidden and “oor” means land. Legend has it the great Pandavas of Mahabharata epic, had stayed in the area during their exile and so the place was named as ‘Maranjirunna oor’ or the land (they) hide. Later it became the land’s name “Marayoor.” Another argument is that the name Marayoor is derived from the words “mala” and “oor”, “mala” means mountain and “oor” means land, hence it was meant to be “the land of the mountains”, as the land is surrounded by mountains. Some scholars toyed with the idea that it can be both “mara” and “mala” as the name Marayoor could be interpreted as the land hidden by the mountains. There is no reason to give any credit to the story regarding Pandavas. Mara means cover and Mala means mountain. As such the argument of equivalence of mara and mala is out of question.

The most probable meaning of the place name is the Uru (Village) of Maravars (A tribe lived in this area during the turn of Christian Era, who used to attack travelers for looting, hiding in the forest. The word meaning is ‘people who hides’, They were traditionally members of the army of tribal chiefs and the Maharajas of Chera, Chola and Pandya).

marayoor Sarkkara: Sarkkara is dark brown sugar balls made of condensed sugarcane juice. It is also known as jaggery or “gud” (Hindi). Each lump or ball of jaggery might weigh upto 1.5 kg. Sugar cane is a major crop of Marayoor and Kanthalloor. In sugarcane farms, there are small jaggery factories that manufacture jaggery. The best jaggery in India is produced in Marayoor. It is therefore of great demand in households across the country for the preparation of sweets and relishes.

Marayoor’s famous product: Sugarcane sarkkara (dark sugar balls used in cooking sweets)

Marayoor is famous for: Wildlife tourism, trekking, Megalithic dolmens, and Sandalwood forests

Main animal attractions: Elephants, Indian Bison

Endangered species of Marayoor: Aibizia lathamii (tree), Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Star tortoise.

Sandalwood forests

Way through the sandalwood forest

Marayoor is famous for its natural sandalwood forests. In fact, Marayoor is the only place in Kerala where natural sandalwood forest is seen. There is a sandalwood depot near Marayoor town where sandalwood is processed. Sandal wood or Santalum album is a parasitic tree having a fragrant and close-grained yellowish heartwood. Sandalwood oil, also known as ‘liquid gold,’ is extracted from the roots and wood of sandalwood. This oil is a costly item marketed at a few choosy outlets all over the state. A climate with low rainfall is suitable for the growth of choice sandalwood trees from which good quality oil can be extracted. The 93 km² Marayoor reserve forest is believed to have about sixty thousand naturally grown sandalwood tress, of which nearly 2,000 trees had been allegedly plundered in just one year since January 2004, when the last survey was conducted. The auction rate for first quality Marayoor sandal is quoted at Rs. 1100 per kg, according to forest department sources

How to reach there:

Marymoor, a rain-shadow village on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats , is 40 kms from Munnar on the Udumalpet road. It holds a lot of natures blessing to be unfolded before its visitors.Its also a unique place where tourism meets adventure. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit. By travelling either from Marayoor to Munnar or from Munnar to Marayoor, one can feel the enchanting beauty of natures blessing to be remembered for a life time.

Nearest Airport   

Nedumbassery Airport– 160 kms 

Coimbatore Airport– 115 kms  

Nearest Railway Station  

Kottayam— 195 kms 6 hrs.  

Coimbatore—- 115 kms 3 hrs.