Top Station

Top Station is tourist destination which falls along the border of the state of Tamil Nadu. The region is part of constituency of bodi Theni district in Tamil Nadu. Top Station is notable as the historic transshippment location for tea delivered up here from Munnar and Madupatty by railway and then down by ropeway to Kottagudi.[1] This area is popular for the rare Neelakurinji flowers. The Kurinjimala Sanctuary is nearby. Top Station is the western entrance to the planned Palani Hills National Park.[2]

Contents

History

Top Station was a transshipment point for delivery of tea from Munnar to Bodinayakkanur. Top Station derived its name from its being the uppermost located railway station on the Kundala Valley Railway, built in 1902 between Munnar, Kundalai and this hilltop location. A monorail goods carriage system was soon installed along this cart route. In 1908 the monorail was replaced by a 24 inch gauge railway. Middle Station (Kundalai) is 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) west from Top Station on the way from Lower Station Munnar.[1] Some remains of Kundala Valley Railway can be seen at the Munnar Tea Museum.[3]

Tea chests arriving at Top Station from the Kundalai Valley were transported by a ropeway from Top Station 5 km down hill to the south to Kottagudi, Tamil Nadu. The tea was then shipped 15 km by cart to Bodinayakkanur, then by rail to other places in India and ship to England.[1] Remains of the ropeway station at Top Station are still visible.[3][4] Elevation at top of Bodi ropeway was 1,911 meters (6,270 ft).[5]

Geography

Top Station offers a panoramic view of the majestic Western Ghats and the valley of Theni district. Top Station is located in Theni district near the border of Idukki district of Kerala. Elevation is 1,880 meters (6,170 ft). It is 6.6 kilometers (4.1 mi) southwest of the highest point on the old Kodaikanal-Cochin escape road at 2,260 meters (7,410 ft) on the eastern shoulder of Vandaravu Peak, [6][7][8]

Visitor information

Top Station is 32 km from Munnar. Ernakulam railway station is about 162 km from Top Station and Cochin International Airport is about 142 km from Top Station. Frequent public buses operate between Munnar and Top Station. No overnight lodging is available.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Tea - A Cup of Life". Sands of Time (TATA Central Archives) v (1): 5–7. January, 2006. http://www.tatacentralarchives.com/publications/newsletters/VOL-05-ISSUE-1-JAN-2006.pdf. 
  2. ^ Department of Tourism (2005) Government of Kerala, retrieved 6/19/2007 Top Station
  3. ^ a b Jose Jimmy (2007) Remains of Kundala Valley Railway, Munnar, Indian Railways Fan Club, retrieved 6/19/2007 History & Photos
  4. ^ Thorp, Richard Fenwick (1904-19-05). Kotagudi Aerial Ropeway and connecting Roads in North Travancore. Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Item notes: v.161 pt.3. London: Institution of Civil Engineers. pp. 332–341, paper no. 3524. http://books.google.com/?id=jZc1AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA332. 
  5. ^ Map showing Bodi ropeway
  6. ^ U.S. Army Map Service (1955). "Dindigul". India. U.S. Army Topographic Command. pp. nc–43–08. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/india/nc-43-08.jpg. Retrieved 2009-01-24. 
  7. ^ Department of Tourism,. "Munnar/Top Station". Government of Kerala. http://www.keralatourism.org/destination/hills/munnar-306.php. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 
  8. ^ "On the Escape Route". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 2005-09-17. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/09/17/stories/2005091701600300.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-12.