Muneeswaran Kunnu

Muneeswaran Kunnu is an ecotourism hilltop viewpoint located in Wayanad district, Kerala, at approximately 3,355 feet above sea level. The destination derives its name from an ancient Muneeswaran Temple situated atop the hill. It offers panoramic views of rolling hills, misty tea gardens, and the Kabini River valley. Managed by the Kerala Forest Department as Wayanad's first ecotourism destination under the North Wayanad Forest Division, it attracts trekkers, nature photographers, and visitors seeking serene mountain experiences.

Visitors can expect a moderate trek through grasslands and tea plantations to reach the hilltop viewpoint. The summit features a small temple dedicated to Lord Muneeswaran and offers spectacular panoramic views of the Western Ghats, mist-covered valleys, and surrounding tea estates. The trail winds through lush greenery with opportunities to spot wildlife including elephants and deer. Visitors experience cool mountain breezes, misty mornings, and stunning sunrise or sunset vistas depending on timing.

The hill derives its name from an ancient Muneeswaran Temple believed to be hundreds of years old. According to local accounts, the shrine was constructed by descendants of Tamil workforce brought by the British in the early 19th century to work on tea plantations.

The hilltop is considered sacred by local communities. The temple houses idols of Hindu deities including Lord Shiva, Lord Sreeram, Goddess Sita Devi, and Bhadra Kali, as well as deities worshipped by ethnic communities such as Brahma Rakshass, Gulikan, and Malakkari. Traditionally, the temple opened only on Thiruvathira day each month.