Neelakurinji brightens hills in Kerala’s Idukki

Neelakurinji aka Strobilantheskunthianus which blossoms in every 12th year has flowered once again and colored Kizhakkathi and Puttady hills in Idukky  blue. Experts find this year’s blossoming is an isolated one.

There were many such flowering happening each year on Munnar Mountain ranges and one that occurred last year was in Pushpakandam Anakkara Mettu hills.

Neelakurinji belongs to the Acanthaceae plant family and 50 varieties of it are found in Asian continent of which 40 are present in Munnar. Moreover, Neelakurinji has made room for Western Ghats mountain range in the list of World Heritage Sites.

Neelakurinji blooms once in a lifetime and after producing seeds it goes into an eternal slumber. The seeds sprout and the plant grows up, blooming after 12 years. When it grows, it heightens up to 10 feet.

Most of the plants are found in Eravikulam National Park in Munnar. Though about 30 locations in Munnar find recurring flowering of Neelakurinji, the best place to cherish the beauty of the flower clad mountains is Rajamala.

Usually, around 3500 people are allowed to enter here and 75% of the tickets are booked online. However this year’s entry is limited due to Covid-19 restrictions.