Neelakurinji Returns to Munnar! Flowers That Bloom Every 12 Years Are Back As Sun Shines After Floods in Kerala (See Pictures)
In the past one week, new flowers were spotted in and around Munnar again!
Kerala Tourism took a setback when floods ravaged the state last month. While the deluge subsided, God's own country has been left in a pretty bad shape. And as the people of Kerala are slowly coming back to normalcy and helping those who lost everything to build up their lives, nature seems to have revived first. Neelakurinji had grabbed headlines two months ago when they bloomed in Munnar after 12 years. And Kerala which receives tourists from around the world was expecting over 8 lakh travellers to see the flowers. But as rains began, it left a grim face over the fate of the flowers.
However, after the tough times, flowers have graced the hills once again in a purple hue. Yes, after rains washed away everything, Neelakurinji has bloomed once again! Munnar was among one of the most affected regions during the recent floods with landslides and broken roads reducing its connectivity from the rest of the state.
The heavy spell of rain also resulted in decaying flowers adding to the worry of tourists. Being worried about connectivity, safety and destruction cause many hesitated to visit Munnar during the time. Munnar's Hills in Kerala Adorn Beautiful Neelakurinji Flowers That Bloom Once Every 12 Years; See Pictures
But it seems the plants have survived and are back to being blue. In the past one week, new flowers were spotted in Rajamala, Top Station, Kanthallur and Vattavada. And if the weather improves in the coming days, flowers will increase their spread by the end of September. We spoke to an employee at Munnar Wildlife who said that the roads have been repaired and that they are expecting tourists soon.
Watch the video here:
Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) blooms in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in South India. Munnar's Eravikulam National Park is one of the main spots to see the flowers. To see the flowers, the national park charges Rs 120 per for adults and Rs 90; you have to pay Rs 40 to use a camera. You can make the bookings on www.munnarwildlife.com or www.eravikulamnationalpark.com. For foreign nationals, the tickets will be priced at Rs 400. Before this Neelakurinji bloomed at the Eravikulam National Park in 2006.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2018 02:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).