സ്വിഫ്റ്റ്ലെറ്റ് കാവ് മൂന്നാർ

Swiftlet Cave Munnar

Useful Information

Location:	Devikulam Circular Road, Devikulam, Kerala 685613. (10.043031, 77.124673)
Open:	All year daily 6-17:30. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Talus Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	A=1656 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Swiftlet Cave Munnar, Devikulam Circular Road, Devikulam, Kerala 685613.
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History

Description

സ്വിഫ്റ്റ്ലെറ്റ് കാവ് മൂന്നാർ (Swiftlet Cave Munnar) is inhabited by a great number of swiftlets which built their nests at the ceiling and high up the walls to raise their children. The cave is located quite high on top of a hill 1650 m asl. As a result the climate here is far more humid than in the coastal plains, often misty, and more moderate. It is ideal for growing tea, so the whole area is full of tea plantation. The cave is located close to the Lockhart Estate aka Lockhart Tea Plantation, which is one of them. To reach the cave, some walking is required, but also some climbing. That's the reason why this cave should be visited in a group with a guide. Another one is that it is pretty hard to find without a guide.

The cave is a sanctuary for the swiftlets, they are protected by law. But it is also a geotope, as it is a rather spacious talus cave, which are quite rare. The area has no soluble rocks, the cave was formed by a rockfall caused by erosion of the crstalline rocks. When the huge boulders stopped moving, they enclosed the huge cavern.