Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Among the blooming Neelakurinji flowers in the Nilgiris, Kuttan, a Toda tribesman, sits with pride.
Credits: @supriyasahuias/X (Formerly, Twitter)
These striking Neelakurinji flowers bloom once every 12 years, enchanting all who come to see them.
Credits: @supriyasahuias/X (Formerly, Twitter)
The name "Nilgiris" is believed to originate from the magical blue hue created by these beautiful flowers.
Credits: @supriyasahuias/X (Formerly, Twitter)
In 2024, Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) was assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and classified as Vulnerable, underscoring the critical need for its conservation.
Credits: Flickr
Neelakurinji is native to the Western Ghats, particularly thriving in the mountain forests of the Nilgiris.
Credits: Flickr
The plant has a unique life cycle, with its seeds germinating only after the parent plant dies post-blooming.
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Neelakurinji has various traditional uses, including its incorporation into local medicine and cultural practices among indigenous communities.
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
The flowers’ blooming is celebrated with local festivals, bringing together communities to honour this natural phenomenon.
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Have you ever seen the Neelakurinji flowers?
Credits: Wikimedia Commons