In a phenomenon that occurs once every 12 years, the Mandalapatti hills in Karnataka are blossoming with rare blue and purplish Neelakurinji flowers.
These days Karnataka's Kodagu district is a witness to a rare phenomenon that is attracting a huge number of tourists to the forested mountains of Mandalpatti and Kote Betta. In a phenomenon that occurs once every 12 years, the Mandalapatti hills in Karnataka are blossoming with the rare blue and purplish hue of the Neelakurinji flowers also known as Strobilanthes Kunthiana.
Visitors are coming to Kodagu to see the flowers for the past one week, the forest officials from Kodagu said. It is from these beautiful flowers that the Nilgiri Hills in India has got its name the 'blue-hills'.
"Mandalpatti Hills on the Western Ghats, known for its scenic beauty, is now full of tourists from all over Karnataka to see the Neelakurinji or Strobilanthes Kunthiana. To my knowledge, it is for the first time this year that we’ve seen these flowers spread fully across both hillocks. Usually, it is only visible in some parts of these hills," A T Poovaiah, the Madikeri Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) said.
1. Mandalpatti hills are blossoming with Neelakurinji flowers
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Mandalpatti hills on the Western Ghats, known for their scenic beauty, is now full of tourists from all over Karnataka to see the Neelakurinji flowers.
(Image Source: ANI)
2. Neelakurinji grows at an altitude of 1,300 to 2,400 metres
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Locally known as Kurinji, the Neelakurinji flowers or Strobilanthes Kunthiana grow at an altitude of 1,300 to 2,400 metres. The shrub is usually 30 to 60 cm high.
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3. Karnataka has around 45 species of Neelakurinji
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Karnataka forest department officials said the state has around 45 species of Neelakurinji, with different species having been catalogued on different altitudes. Each species blooms at intervals of six, nine, 11, or 12 years.
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4. Shalom hills blossoming with blue Neelakurinji flowers
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The Idukki's Shalomkunnu (Shalom hills) under the Santhanpara Panchayat are also blossoming with the blue Neelakurinji flowers. This time over 10 acres of Neelakurinji flowers have covered the Shalomkunnu.
(Image Source: ANI)
5. Aerial glimpse of visual treat to cost Rs 2,30,000
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A heli-taxi firm has even offered an aerial glimpse of the visual treat. Bengaluru-based heli-taxi firm Thumby Aviation Private Limited has been offering rides to the site of the bloom at a cost of Rs 2,30,000.
(Image Source: Twitter@AnkitKumar_IFS)
