Thalanar Valley View Point

Valparai, originally known as Poonachimalai, has a rich history rooted in its transformation from dense forests to sprawling plantations. Indigenous tribes like the Malasar, Malai Malasar, Pulayar, and Muduvar have inhabited the Anamalai Hills for centuries, maintaining a deep connection with nature and practicing sustainable living.

The region's modern history began in 1846 with K. Ramasamy Mudaliyar establishing a coffee plantation under British patronage. Later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tea cultivation largely replaced coffee due to its profitability.

British planters like W. Wintil and G. A. Carver Marsh played a significant role in developing the tea and coffee estates, with Carver Marsh often referred to as the 'Father of Anaimalais.' Thalanar itself is described as a serene, lesser-known area within these hills, historically part of a large timber and plantation tract.