After 12 Years, Neelakurinji Is Blooming, And It Is Time To Pack Your Bags And Head To Munnar
Neelakurinji Strobilanthes kunthiana flower begins blooming later this month. The rare flower which grows across the Western Ghats is found in abundance in the hills of Munnar and blooms once in twelve years. The floral season which begins in July will continue till October giving an unparalleled visual treat to the visitors.
Ready for a visual treat of a blue floral carpet as far as the eye can see? Then head to Munnar, Kerala and witness the spectacle that happens only once in 12 years. Munnar, one of the most visited tourist destinations in India, will turn into a mountain covered with blue flowers when the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) flower begins blooming later this month.
Kerala Tourism
The rare flower which grows across the Western Ghats, is found in abundance in the hills of Munnar and blooms once in twelve years, And, it is happening now.
These flowers bloom after a long wait of 12 years and Munnar is best known for them. These flowers, when in bloom, cover vast areas over hills and the surrounding landscape. There is no better time than this to visit the hill station.
Kerala Tourism
The floral season which begins in July will continue till October, giving an unparalleled visual treat to the visitors.
The eye-soothing purplish-blue colour of the flowers, will leave you awestruck with its visual extravaganza.
Kerala Tourism
In 2006, the last time Neelakurinji bloomed at the Eravikulam National Park, as many as 3 lakh tourists came to witness the spectacle. This year Kerala Tourism officials are expecting a footfall of around 8 lakh visitors from across the globe.
¡°There is no better time to visit Munnar than the time when Neelakurinji plants bloom en masse. As many as 628,427 tourists had visited Munnar in 2017 with an increase of 34.31 percent as compared to 467,881 vacationers in 2016. The Tourism Department is expecting a growth of 79 percent in tourist arrivals to Munnar this year. This unique lifecycle of the plant makes the hills a must-visit destination for travel enthusiasts.¡± P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism said.
Kerala Tourism
Tourists visiting the state during this time can also spot the majestic Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat endemic to these hills. Other attractions in Munnar include Anamudi Peak, the tallest peak in south India, highly sought after trekking route.
With the biggest tourists season ahead, local tour operators were all excited to welcome guests.
"I am waiting to see the Neelakurinji bloom. Though I have seen it twice in the past it seems like ages ago. If as local I can't contain the excitement I can understand how the tourists might feel seeing the mountains covered with flowers," Vincent, a Munnar-based resort owner said.
Kerala Tourism
Located in Idukki District of Kerala, Munnar is accessible by road from the nearest airport in Kochi which is 140 kms away.
Tourists planning to visit Munnar are advised to book tickets online by login into www.munnarwildlife.com,www.eravikulamnationalpark.com.
The number of visitors at Eravikulam National Park will be restricted to 3,500 per day. About 75 per cent of the total tickets are made available online and the remaining 25 per cent will be sold from counters set up at Marayoor Wildlife Complex and Old Munnar.
The price of ticket for adults will be Rs 120 per person while it is Rs 90 for children and Rs 400 for foreign tourists.
Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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