Here, with pleasure, Kerala Tourism offers you in-depth insights into the ‘Neelakurinji Phenomenon’ through photographs of the blooming in 1982, 1994 and 2006, video clips of the Kurinji and other nearby attractions, the best routes to reach the flowering site at Rajamala, travel writers who share their experiences of having witnessed the flowering in the previous years and also scholarly articles on preserving the endangered Kurinji as well.
From a distance, the hills appear enveloped in purple hue. Don’t be mistaken: it is the Neelakurinji in bloom again.
However, it is not on the hills of Munnar but on the grasslands in the remote forests of Marayur and Kanthallur that the blooms are.
The delay in mass blossoming at the Eravikaulam National Park (ENP), the main destination of tourists to view Neelakurinji, is attributed to the recent heavy rainfall. However, there are isolated blooms at the park. In the interior forests of Marayur, the majority of the plants are in bloom, some in the budding stage.
The early flowering of Neelakurinji at Marayur, in the rain-shadow belt, has been attributed to the low rainfall in the area compared to Munnar. “Though Neelakurinji buds are ready for blossoming at the ENP and adjoining hills in Munnar, the rain has dampened the spirit. They will blossom within ten days,” said a forest official.
