NEELAKURINJI FLOWERS The Strobilanthus shrub that blooms only once in twelve years has bloomed in this year 2006. Now is the auspicious time...
NEELAKURINJI FLOWERS
The Strobilanthus shrub that blooms only once in twelve years has bloomed in this year 2006. Now is the auspicious time to be in Munnar . The flowers picturesquely carpet the entire hillsides with its mauve blossoms. The next flowering is in the year 2018 and thereafter in 2030 and so on.
Neela means blue in Malayalam language and Kurinji the local name of the flower. For those in Munnar, the blooming of Kurinji flower is a reminder that their lives have gone past another twelve years, and for those from far off; may be it is reminder to witness a once in a life time rare sight of the Kurinji flowers covering the slopes and ravines of Munnar in a blanket of blue.
In the year 1994, the flowers showed up at some places around Munnar like Mattupetty and Top Station. Shortly, the slopes of Munnar hills got blanketed by the Kurinji flowers, which added yet another alluring charm to the sights and sounds of Munnar.
Visitors to Munnar in the coming months can enjoy this marvelous sight, which is bound to leave an everlasting memory about this fascinating hill resort.
One interesting result of the gregarious flowering of Stroilanthes is the largest increase in bees found in its vicinity during the flowering period. Immense quantities of honey become available and the rock bees and common hill bees visit the plant. it is also believed that honey collected from near the blossoms is the sweetest. A lot of mythological significance is also attributed to the flower.
The flower has 50 different varieties, as botanists say, but is found largely in shades of blue -- referred to as "Neela Kurinji". The blossoms spread out as a blanket on the hill sides of the Anamalai, Nilgiris (Ooty) and Palani (Kodaikanal) hills. Campaigners want the entire stretch from Kodaikanal to Munnar in Kerala to be declared as the "Kurinji sanctuary.
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