Munnar turns blue as rare Neelakurinji bloom draws masses to the hills

Munnar: Munnar is once again turning into a spectacular blue-and-violet landscape as the rare Neelakurinji flowers begin carpeting its highland slopes, drawing attention to one of the Western Ghats’ most remarkable natural spectacles.

The bloom is especially visible this season at several mountain ranges around Munnar. Chokramudi is emerging as the main attraction, with visitors set to be allowed entry from August 24. The site, near the Devikulam Forest Department range office on the Munnar-Bodimettu stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway, will be open from 7 am to 4 pm. Entry costs Rs 200 for adults and Rs 50 for children up to 18 years. Online booking through the Forest Department’s official website is expected to open soon.

Neelakurinji has also started flowering at Meesapulimala and Idalimala. Meesapulimala, managed by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation, will receive visitors only after the flowers reach full bloom. Entry will be limited to 750 people a day, with a package covering the trip and food priced at Rs 1,200 per person. Kurinji blooms have also been spotted at Sevenmala, Kundumala, Mattupetty and Gap Road.

The Neelakurinji, scientifically known as Strobilanthes kunthiana, is mainly found in the Shola-grassland ecosystem of the Western Ghats’ high elevations, particularly around Munnar, Eravikulam and Meesapulimala. Its mass flowering, traditionally associated with an interval of about 12 years, is part of the plant’s unusual life cycle. After flowering and producing seeds, the old plant dies, and a new generation grows from those seeds.

The spectacle comes with strict responsibilities for visitors. Neelakurinji is a protected plant listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, and damaging or uprooting the plants or plucking flowers can attract a fine of up to Rs 25,000 and imprisonment of up to three years. Visitors are therefore expected to remain on designated paths, avoid trampling plants for photographs or selfies and allow others to enjoy the landscape without obstruction.

For travellers driving from Kochi, the journey itself demands patience. Munnar’s roads can take far longer than map distances suggest, particularly during busy periods. Travellers are advised to carry sufficient drinking water and food, and to ensure the vehicle has enough fuel. The wider trip can also include Kolukkumalai, known for its high-altitude tea plantations, off-road jeep rides and sunrise views. With the hills now beginning to wear their seasonal blue mantle, Munnar is offering visitors a rare spectacle that demands both admiration and careful protection.