POONJAR - 30 km. Seat of the legendary Poonjar Royal family said to have arrived from Madurai under the leadership of Manavikrama Kulasekhara Perumal, a descent of the Pandyan kings, in AD 1189. Perumal acquired the tract of Poonjar in the present Meenachil Taluk in the present Kottayam district and the whole of the High Ranges (540.5 sq.km in the present Devicolam Taluq of Idukki district, from Tekkumkor Raja and exercised sovereign powers over the area. Their Muslim confidants and aides led by the Khans of Chithankotta near Madurai were settled in the nearby Erattupetta. The Perumal rule lasted till Travancore king Marthanda Varma annexed the region. The old palace is still occupied by the descendents of the royals. In modern times, Poonjar offered refuge to Communist veterans like former Chief Minister EK Nayanar. An Engineering College has come up in the area now named Nayanar Hills.