Neelakurinji is a unique flower that blooms once every 12 years in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. The blooming of Neelakurinji is a significant natural event that attracts visitors from around the world. Here’s some information about the Neelakurinji blooming season:
- Blooming Period: Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) typically blooms between the months of July and October. The exact timing of the blooming season can vary slightly depending on various factors, including rainfall patterns, temperature, and elevation.
- Twelve-Year Cycle: Neelakurinji flowers bloom in a cycle of 12 years, which means that each blooming event is separated by a gap of 12 years. This extended blooming cycle adds to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the event.
- Next Blooming Year: The last major blooming of Neelakurinji occurred in 2018, which means that the next significant blooming event is expected around 2030. During the blooming year, the hillsides and slopes in certain areas of the Western Ghats get covered in a vibrant purple-blue carpet of Neelakurinji flowers.
- Prime Locations: The Nilgiri Hills and Munnar in Kerala, along with parts of Tamil Nadu, are prime locations to witness the blooming of Neelakurinji. Munnar, in particular, is known for its Neelakurinji-covered landscapes, offering breathtaking views of the flowers against the backdrop of rolling hills.
- Attractions and Festivals: During the Neelakurinji blooming season, several attractions and festivals are organized to celebrate this natural spectacle. These include guided tours, photography exhibitions, cultural programs, and traditional ceremonies that showcase the beauty and significance of the blooming event.
- Conservation Efforts: Neelakurinji is a protected species, and efforts are made to conserve its habitats and promote sustainable tourism during the blooming season. Visitors are encouraged to follow eco-friendly practices, respect the environment, and avoid causing any damage to delicate ecosystems.
If you plan to witness the blooming of Neelakurinji, it is recommended to plan your visit during the respective blooming years and seek information from local authorities or tour operators for the most up-to-date and accurate information about the exact timing and locations of the blooming.
A Rare Natural Sight
The valleys and rolling hills of Munnar are bathed in blue light during the blooming of the Neelakurinji flowers which is a magnificent sight. There is no doubt that this is the best time to visit the enchanting hill station of Munnar. The mass blooming of these flowers occurs only once in twelve years and Munnar is going to welcome everybody to enjoy this unique view after a gap of 12 years. The hills of Munnar burst into an eye-catching sea of blue every twelve years. Many nature lovers visit this hill station during the blooming of these flowers which is rare natural sight. It is the time when 40-odd varieties of Neelakurinji flowers blossom in all their magnificence. People from across the globe visit Munnar to enjoy this unique spectacle.
How To Reach Munnar
If you plan to visit Munnar during the blooming season of Neelakurinji, it is wise to make the accommodation arrangements for a hassle-free trip. The flowering season of these plants is a much-anticipated event in the state that truly promotes tourism. The hotels and resorts in the state are expected to be booked fully even several months before the flowering begins. So, plan your trip before it is too late. The nearest railway station to reach Munnar is Angamaly which is around 140 kilometers away. The Ernakulam railway station is approximately at a distance of 145 kilometers. The nearest Cochin International Airport is about 140 kilometers away from this hill station.
| When to Watch | July-October |
| Where to Go | Kovilur, Rajamala, Eravikulam National Park, Kerala (Five hour drive from Kochi) |
| Entry time | 7:00 am – 4.00 pm |
| Nearest Railway Station | Angamaly (140 kms away) |
| Nearest Airport | Cochin International Airport (140 kms away) |
| Other attractions to catch | The endangered Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park |
| Book Online | booking.munnarwildlife.com |
Address for Communication
The Wildlife Warden, Munnar PO, Idukki Dist. Kerala, India. PIN:685 612
Tel: 91-4865-231587
E-mail : enpmunnar@gmail.com
For Enquiries and Reservations
Forest Information Centre, Wildlife Warden’s Office, Munnar PO, Idukki Dist. Kerala, India.
Tel: 91-4865-231587 Mob. 91 8301024187, 91 8547603199
E-mail: munnarwildlifebooking@gmail.com
If you’re planning to visit the area, make note of the guidelines the state government has issued:
- Do not pluck the flowers or plants. They are an endangered endemic species and an integral part of the ecosystem. Any harm to even a single plant will impact the entire region at large.
- The plants grow above an altitude of 1,500m. Plucking plants for cultivation at alternate locations will not be fruitful.
- The flowering area is a strictly no-plastic zone.
- Do not pluck the flowers or plants. They are an endangered species.
- If harmed the Kurinji will cease to exist not only denying future generations the sacred experience of witnessing its flowering but also irreparably damaging the delicate balance of the environment.
- The Kurinji plants are fire resistant and act as a natural protector of the grasslands from forest fires and also check soil erosion so please refrain from harming the plant.