Neelakurinji flowers of purple-blue color bloom in the Western Ghats
According to environmentalists, climate change is the reason for the delay in flowering. Their total life span is about three months.
Neelakurinji Flower
Its scientific name is Strobilanthes kunthianus, endemic to the Shola forests of the Western Ghats, this plant belongs to the genus 'Acanthaceae' and the genus 'Strobilanthes'. It is a rare species of plant, usually occurring at an altitude of 1,300-2,400 m.
It takes twelve years to bloom because such a long period is required for the pollination of Neelakurinji flowers. The Eravikulam National Park serves as a special land for the blooming of Neelakurinji flowers.
The name of the Nilgiri Mountain is derived from the flowers of Neelakurinji - Nilgiri means Blue Mountain. The word 'Neelakurinji' in the Malayalam language means 'blue flower'. It is believed that the name Neelakurinji is inspired by the Kunthi River.
Neelakurinji flowers were used by the 'Paliyan' tribe of Tamil Nadu to calculate the age. Honey collected from Neelakurinji flowers is considered supreme in taste and nutrition. There are about 250 different Kurinji species in the world.
There are about 46 different Kurinji species found in India, most of them growing in the Western Ghats.
One of the most spectacular natural phenomena in India is the blooming of the Neela Kurinji flowers in the Western Ghats. These flowers have a unique characteristic: they bloom only once in 12 years. The flowers have a distinctive purple-blue color that covers the hillsides like a carpet. The sight is so mesmerizing that it attracts thousands of tourists and nature lovers from all over the country and abroad.
The Neela Kurinji, or Strobilanthes kunthianus, is a shrub that belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It grows at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 meters above sea level. The plant has a lifespan of 12 years, during which it grows and matures. In its final year, it produces clusters of tiny flowers that last for about two months. The flowers have a sweet fragrance and are rich in nectar. They are pollinated by bees and butterflies.
The flowering cycle of the Neela Kurinji is synchronized with the monsoon season. The flowers usually start to appear in July and reach their peak in August and September. The last mass flowering occurred in 2018, and the next one is expected in 2030. The best places to witness this rare event are the Munnar Hills, the Eravikulam National Park, and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary in Kerala; the Nilgiri Hills, the Palani Hills, and the Kodaikanal Hills in Tamil Nadu; and the Coorg Hills in Karnataka.
The Neela Kurinji flowers have cultural and historical significance as well. Ancient Tamil literature mentions them as a symbol of love and romance. The tribal communities living in the Western Ghats use them to mark their age and generations. The flowers also have medicinal properties and are used to treat various ailments.
The Neela Kurinji flowers are a wonder of nature that showcases the diversity and beauty of India's flora and fauna. They are a source of inspiration and joy for many people who eagerly await their arrival every 12 years. They are also a reminder of the need to conserve and protect the fragile ecosystems of the Western Ghats, which are home to many endemic and endangered species.
