Kerala Tourism, Munnar gets ready for Neelakurinji - the flower that blooms once every 12 years
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Tourism Department launched a microsite on blossoming of Neelakurinji which happens once in 12 years at Munnar in the Western Ghats. Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran launched the microportal on Wednesday.
The microsite is rich in content and has detailed information regarding the tourist attractions on the way to Eravikulam National Park near Munnar.
The micro site can be accessed with the URL www.keralatourism.org/neelakurinji .
Commenting on the launch of the microsite, Kadakampally said that the site will help tourists explore more interesting facts about Neelakurinji and realise the real beauty of the place.
Rani George, Secretary, Tourism, said the foreign tourists will get a vivid picture about Neelakurinnji through the site and it would lead to tourists inflow to enjoy the blossoming of Neelakurinji.
“The contributors for the site include wildlife photographers, scientists, nature lovers and travel writers. Their articles and amazing experiences while witnessing the scenic beauty of the blossoming of Neelakurinji during their visits enrich the microsite,” said, P Balakiran, Director, Kerala Tourism.
A 21-page e-brochure is also available on the site that enables foreigners to get riveting information about Neelakurinji. The e-brochure can be downloaded and easily sent via WhatsApp.
Neelakurinji chiefly blossoms abundantly at Rajamala, Eravikulam National Park, located along the Western Ghats. The gallery section consists of photographs of Neelakurinji when it blossomed in 1982, 1994, and 2006. Neelakurinji will blossom this year from July to October.
Neelakurinji mainly blossoms abundantly at Rajamala, Eravikulam National Park, located along the Western Ghats.
The Strobilanthes kunthianus is locally called 'Neelakurinji', neela meaning blue and kurinji the local name for the flower.
The last time this marvellous spectacle occurred in 2006 and generally the time this phenomenal blooming begins towards mid July and ends in October.
Another attractive sight to the naked eye will be the majestic Nilgiri Tahr, the endangered mountain goat found in these area, ambling down the hills that are swathed in Neelakurinji blossoms in all their grandeur.
(With IANS inputs)