Overview.

The Tata Tea Museum: Exploring the Rich History of Munnar's Tea Plantations

Nestled within the charming town of Munnar, the Tata Tea Museum stands as a wonderful testament to the rich history of tea plantations in the region. Owned by the Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Limited, which is a part of the renowned Tata Group, this museum offers visitors an immersive journey into the fascinating world of tea manufacturing. A visit to the Tata Tea Museum is undeniably one of the top things to do in Munnar, where tourists can explore the equipment used in tea production from the early 20th century to the late 20th century.

The museum's location on Pooyankuty Road, on the outskirts of Munnar town, adds to its allure, offering breathtaking scenic vistas of the surrounding tea estates. For over a century, Munnar's history has been intrinsically tied to its flourishing tea plantations, making it home to some of the finest tea estates in the world. The tea industry serves as a significant source of employment for the people of Munnar, and the Kannan Devan Tea Estate, a Tata-owned plantation, houses most of the tea estates in the area. The Tata Tea Museum, also known as the KDHP Museum, is a cherished part of the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea.

The Tata Tea Museum stands as a tribute to the pioneers of Munnar's tea plantations who transformed it into one of Kerala's major tea distributors. As a one-of-its-kind museum in India, it serves as an educational space where visitors can learn about the establishment and progress of the tea plantation industry in the country. From the traditional manually operated tea roller to the state-of-the-art fully automated tea factory, the museum provides valuable insights into the evolution of tea production in Munnar.

For researchers and enthusiasts, the Tata Tea Museum is a treasure trove of information about tea leaf processing and the marketing of the final product. The museum features an orthodox tea manufacturing unit and a mini CTC (crush, tear, curl) machine, offering a demonstration of the various stages of tea processing. At the museum's entrance, visitors are greeted by a grand granite sundial dating back to 1913, a contribution from the Art Industrial School of Tamil Nadu.

The museum proudly displays the original tea roller produced during 1905, as well as the rotor vane and the Pelton wheel, which are key attractions in this section. Another section of the museum showcases old-fashioned bungalow furniture, a magneto phone, a wooden bathtub, a cash safe, iron ovens, and other exhibits from the past. In one of the rooms, an Iron Age burial urn, widely used during the 2nd century BC, offers a glimpse into the area's ancient history.

As visitors explore the Tata Tea Museum, they gain a deeper appreciation for the region's cultural heritage and the integral role that tea plantations have played in shaping Munnar's identity. The museum serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting visitors with the labor and expertise of the generations that toiled to make Munnar a tea haven.

The Tata Tea Museum is not merely a display of artifacts; it is a living tribute to the efforts of those who built Munnar's tea industry from the ground up. A visit to this museum provides a comprehensive understanding of the journey of tea, from plucking the leaves to delivering the final product to consumers. The aromatic allure of Munnar's tea estates is complemented by the fascinating insights offered by the Tata Tea Museum, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to delve into the captivating world of tea manufacturing.

9:00AM - 5:00PM (Except Monday)