Marayoor is a culturally rich highland destination in the Western Ghats, famed for its ancient sandalwood forests, GI-tagged jaggery, and prehistoric dolmens. Blending heritage, tradition, and natural beauty, Marayoor offers a unique journey into Kerala’s timeless landscapes.
Marayoor Sandal Forest
Explore the ancient Marayoor Sandal Forest, renowned for its fragrant sandalwood trees that have thrived for centuries. Explore this unparalleled ecosystem and unveil sandalwood’s profound cultural and ecological impact within its unblemished natural habitat.
Marayoor Jaggery
Apart from the sandal forest and its picturesque locations, Marayoor is also renowned for its extensive sugarcane cultivation, covering over 2500 acres, which makes Marayoor truly unique. This region produces the world-famous Marayoor Jaggery, a delicacy crafted from condensed sugarcane juice by the skilled farmers of the Muthuva tribe. The jaggery, known for its distinct dark brown sugar balls, owes its unique flavor and quality to the region’s specific geographical conditions and the traditional expertise of the local people. Recognized with a GI Tag, Marayoor Jaggery is in high demand across households in India to prepare sweet dishes. The Marayoor Forest Development Agencies (FDA) has undertaken the task of marketing this exceptional product, ensuring fair prices and better livelihoods for the local cultivators and Vana Samrakshana Samithies (VSS) members.
Muniyaras (Dolmens)
The Marayoor-Kanthalloor region is home to the fascinating Muniyaras, ancient dolmens believed to date back to the Stone Age, between 30,000 BC and 14,000 BC. These prehistoric burial chambers are constructed by placing three large boulders upright and capping them with a massive stone, often featuring a semi-circular entrance hole resembling a gate. Similar to the Muniyaras found in Tamil Nadu’s Palani Hills, these structures are shrouded in local legend, with tales suggesting the Pandyas of the Stone Age built them for protection from wild animals and natural calamities or for sages to perform penance. Archaeological discoveries near the Muniyaras include large red and black clay pots, ornaments, and Stone Age weapons, indicating their cremation use. The Muniyara Dolmens, significant to historians, are majestic megalithic structures over a thousand years old, showcasing 15 different types from the Neolithic age. These remarkable remnants offer a captivating glimpse into the ancient past of Marayoor and Kanthalloor.