NeelaKurinji blooms on Kallippara hills

IDUKKI: Neelakurinji has bloomed on the Kallippara hills under Santhanpara grama panchayat in Idukki. According to natives, Neelakurinji bloomed in an area of over five acres of the hills.
The Kallippara hills are situated around 6km from Shantanpara on the Thekkady-Munnar state highway. The area has been witnessing a tourist rush after the Neelakurinji flowering.
Neelakurinji expert Dr Jomy Augustine told TOI that gregarious flowering (massive flowering at once) was witnessed on the Kallippara hills.“There are two types of flowering - gregarious flowering and sporadic flowering (isolated flowering). Strobilanthes kunthiana variety of Neelakurinji bloomed on the Kallippara hills. From Managaladevi to Coorg, there are nearly 100 places where the strobilanthes kunthiana variety was found,” said Augustine.
“A Neelakurinji plant needs 12 rainy and summer seasons to bloom. After the bloom, the entire plant is destroyed, and the next generation grows from the seeds,” said Augustine.
In 2020, isolated Neelakurinji flowering was seen in the hills of Thondimala. Last year, Neelakurinji flowering was witnessed at Shalom Kunnu, Kizhakkathi and Puthadi hills under Santhanpara panchayat.