Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes Kunthiana) is a rare plant that grows mainly in the shola grasslands of Western Ghats in India. This plant is famous for the fact that it blooms only once in 12 years..! This plant with several branches and blue flowers bloom in a cluster and is a magnificent visual treat to watch. The light blue color of the plant turns purple bluish when it gets aged. This rare to see plant is present in the valleys of Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala. Munnar is a romantic, misty hill station and a major tourist attraction in India.
Neelakurinji plant was first seen in the vicinity of Kunthi River and hence its scientific name. The last time this flower bloomed in Munnar was in 2006. Now the world is waiting for 2018 to watch this visual extravaganza in the valleys of Nilgiris. The flowering months are from August to November. The peak tome of blooming is at the end of September and beginning of October. A huge flock of tourists from every corner of the world was observed in 2006 while this flower was bloomed in Munnar. About ten lakh tourist visited Munnar in that season.
Remember that you got only 6 to 9 chances in your whole life span to see this treat. Each time you miss the trip, you are losing one of the best scenes in life. The hotels and resorts get completely filled during this season and it is advisable to book the rooms before your trip. Many hotels, resorts, home stays are running in different parts of Munnar and all of them go crowded in Neelakurinji seasons.
The plants that bloom in such long intervals are called as plietesials. Neelakuinjji is the most famous such plant. The altitudes about 1600 mts above sea level in Munnar creates a perfect ambience for Neelakurinji flowers to bloom and survive. There exists some few Neelakurinji plants that bloom in different periods in Munnar but they bloom in a cluster only in 12 years.
Kurinjimala Sanctuary was made in Munnar exclusively to protect the Neelakurinji plants. It
is wide about 32 sr. km and the plants find safer habitat at here. The sanctuary is located in Kottakamboor and Vattavada villages in Devakulam Taluk. A Neelakurinji fest was celebrated in 2006 at Munnar and this park was declared as sanctuary in that function. The sanctuary is a habitat also for many other wild species including Nilgiri Tahr, deer, elephant etc. Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are near to this sanctuary. Now there is nothing more to think and confuse. Just wait for 2018 to arrive. Book a best place for accommodation and make a trip to the blue paradise on earth.