Upcoming Travels: Chasing the Neelakurinji
One of my most awaited trips of 2018, I can’t tell you how happy I am packing my bags. After all, I am going to see the flower that blooms once every 12 years. Yes, I am talking about the iconic Neelakurinji, the flower that lends its name to the Nilgiris or Blue Mountains and that last bloomed in 2006. It is found in the shola forests all across the Western Ghats, but some of its prettiest views are found in and around Munnar.
I had initially planned this trip for end of August, but due to the devastation caused by the Kerala floods, I had to reschedule my date with the Neelakurinji. The highways have been repaired and the flower is blooming all over Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park and Kurinjimala Sanctuary across Rajamala, Vattavada, Kanthaloor and Marayoor, all at a short drive from Munnar city centre.
3 riders on 3 motorcycles will be riding from Bangalore to Munnar and will be chasing the Neelakurinji flower from Marayoor to Vattavada to Kanthaloor to Eravikulam to Kodaikanal over 10 days. There will be lots of Neelakurinji chasing to get the best pictures at the various locations, some bit of off-roading, offbeat trails and good ‘ol relaxation. In between all the Neelakurinji visits, we plan to indulge in some nature and birding at the Thattekad bird sanctuary and explore some of the other attractions in this region.
As this will be the first time I set my eyes on this rare flower, I don’t have any pictures to share with you, but do stay tuned to my social channels for live updates from the world of the Neelakurinji. As there will be good connectivity where I will be staying, I intend to be quite active with my updates. I am pretty sure that you will not mind the overdose of this rare flower from God’s Own Country and the Blue Mountains. May be, my trip will entice you to plan your very own date with the Neelakurinji or you could wait till 2030!
Cheerios and see you from the land of the Neelakurinji!
I had initially planned this trip for end of August, but due to the devastation caused by the Kerala floods, I had to reschedule my date with the Neelakurinji. The highways have been repaired and the flower is blooming all over Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park and Kurinjimala Sanctuary across Rajamala, Vattavada, Kanthaloor and Marayoor, all at a short drive from Munnar city centre.
3 riders on 3 motorcycles will be riding from Bangalore to Munnar and will be chasing the Neelakurinji flower from Marayoor to Vattavada to Kanthaloor to Eravikulam to Kodaikanal over 10 days. There will be lots of Neelakurinji chasing to get the best pictures at the various locations, some bit of off-roading, offbeat trails and good ‘ol relaxation. In between all the Neelakurinji visits, we plan to indulge in some nature and birding at the Thattekad bird sanctuary and explore some of the other attractions in this region.
As this will be the first time I set my eyes on this rare flower, I don’t have any pictures to share with you, but do stay tuned to my social channels for live updates from the world of the Neelakurinji. As there will be good connectivity where I will be staying, I intend to be quite active with my updates. I am pretty sure that you will not mind the overdose of this rare flower from God’s Own Country and the Blue Mountains. May be, my trip will entice you to plan your very own date with the Neelakurinji or you could wait till 2030!
Cheerios and see you from the land of the Neelakurinji!
