After 12 long years, the most awaiting Neelakurinji Flowers are finally set to bloom in coming August 2018 and will lasts till October 2018. The last bloom of Neelakurinji flowers took place in the year 2006. During the blooming season, the green carpeted hills and valleys of Munnar turned into a dreamy shade of blue which will attracts thousands of tourists from all over the globe. If you are planning to visit Kerala then this is the best time to witness the Neelakurinji flowering in Munnar as part of Kerala Tour Packages.
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About Neelakurinji
Locally known as Kurinji Poo, Neelakurinji is one of the most striking flower which blooms once in 12 years. The prime attracting factor of the flower is its eye-soothing blue color. First studied by Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck, the scientific name of the flower is Strobilanthes kunthianus, which comes from River Kunthi that irrigates the grasslands and valleys around.
Neelakurinji is a Malayalam word which simply means blue flower. Around 250 species belong to the genus Strobilanthes and almost 46 of them are found in India. Grows at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 m, Neelakurinji plants are found exclusively in the mountain slopes of the Nilgiri Mountain Range and the Shola Forests of the Western Ghats. The plant grows 30 to 60 cm high in normal conditions and up to 180 cm in amiable environmental conditions.
The Neelakurinji flowering season coincides with the spring season of Kerala. The Kurinji flowers start flowering in limited numbers in the last phase of monsoon and as the monsoon clouds slowly recede, the blue florets carpet the valleys, mountains, and grasslands. The peak blooming period would be in September and October. With no smell or any medicinal value, the Neelakurinji bloom in long intervals and covers the hilly terrains that provides the best opportunities for sightseeing.
Places to witness the Bloom
To witness the delightful Neelakurinji flowers in all its glory during this year, head to Munnar, the most popular hill station of Kerala. Often referred as ‘Kashmir of Kerala’, Munnar looks stunning when the Neelakurinji flowers blossoms which covers the hills in a hue of blue and purple that draws huge number of tourists.
Though the Kurinji flowers bloom gregariously at several places near Kodaikanal and Munnar but the biggest flowering can happen at the Eravikulam National Park, one of the top places to visit in Munnar. Other places where one can find the blossoms near Munnar are Kovilur, Kadavari and Rajamala.
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How to Visit
If you are planning to visit Eravikulam during the Kurinji season as part of Munnar Tour Packages, it is ideal to book the park entry tickets and stay in advance as the flowering season is a much-anticipated tourism event in Kerala and the Government has already started promoting the event. The entry to Eravikulam National Park is limited to 3,500 visitors per day. Private vehicles are not allowed into the park while the Government operated shuttle services are available to go inside the national park.
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Nearby Attractions
Though the major attraction is going to be Neelakurinji Bloom 2018, there are plenty of other places in and around Munnar that are also worth a visit. The green meadows, cascading waterfalls and the misty hills make Munnar one of the most popular summer destinations in India and among the top Kerala Tourist Places. Mattupetty Dam, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Anamudi Peak, Devikulam, Nyayamkad falls, Peermedu, Thoovanam falls, and Attukal Waterfalls, are the top places to visit as part of Munnar Packages. Besides, Munnar is also known for its trekking trails and beautiful tea gardens.