On the hilly slopes of Ooty, the rare Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in three to four years have begun covering the Doddabetta slope much to the delight of tourists and locals. It is expected that in a month's time, the entire hill will be covered by the flowers like a blue carpet.
The Nilgiris: The rare Neelakurinji flower blooms which make their appearance once in three to four years in the hilly slopes of Nilgiris have begun to look like a blue carpet over the Doddabetta hill.
The Neelakurinji is a plant that grows widely in the Western Ghats region of India and blooms only in hilly areas. The height of this plant ranges from about 30 centimeters to 60 centimeters, with the bright purplish blue flowers resembling the shape of a temple bell.
These small kurinji flowers which bloom once in three years are beginning to cover the Doddabetta slopes and are expected to look like a blue carpet over the hills in a month's time. In fact, the Nilgiris district (Blue Mountains) may be attributed to the mass flowering of this species.
Whilst most plants are in flower during the twelfth year of the cycle, some flowering occurs in the years before and after the main bloom.
The visual treat that the blooms are to the eye of the tourist is also a great source of pride fin the hearts of the locals in Nilgiris district.