Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Rare Neelakurinji Bloom Returns Across Kerala’s Munnar Hills
Rare purple Neelakurinji flowers are blooming in the hills near Munnar, Kerala.
Industrialist Harsh Goenka shared a picture of the flowers online.
These plants are special because they usually bloom only once every 12 years.
When they bloom together, the hills can look like a giant purple carpet.
The flowers usually appear between August and October.
They can stay visible for almost three months.
Goenka said the last mass bloom was in 2014 and expected the next one in 2038.
Some people online said different groups of plants in Munnar follow different schedules, with another large bloom possibly coming in 2030.
The sight has attracted nature lovers and interest from travellers and botanists.
Industrialist Harsh Goenka shared images of Neelakurinji blooming near Munnar in Kerala.
The flowers are blooming across the Korandakadu hills near Mattupetty and Chokramudi.
Neelakurinji typically blooms once every 12 years and flowers can last nearly three months.
Goenka said the previous mass bloom was in 2014 and the next would be in 2038.
Some commenters said Munnar has separate bloom cycles, with another major flowering expected in 2030.
- Who
- Industrialist Harsh Goenka shared the bloom, while nature lovers and other users discussed it online.
- What
- Neelakurinji flowers are blooming across hills near Munnar, creating a widespread purple display.
- When
- The flowers typically bloom between August and October; the article describes the current bloom as occurring in 2026.
- Where
- The bloom is reported in the Korandakadu hills near Mattupetty and Chokramudi in Kerala’s Devikulam Forest Range.
- Why
- Neelakurinji has an unusual flowering cycle, generally blooming once every 12 years, making mass blooms rare attractions.
Goenka’s Bloom Timeline
Commenters’ Cycle Explanation
Expected next major bloom
Goenka’s Bloom Timeline
Harsh Goenka said the last mass bloom was in 2014 and the next was expected in 2038.
Commenters’ Cycle Explanation
Some commenters said Munnar has separate Neelakurinji populations and that the 2014 group is blooming again in 2026, while a larger 2018 population may bloom in 2030.
- Flower
- Neelakurinji, scientifically identified in the article as Strobilanthes spp.
- Location
- Korandakadu hills near Mattupetty and Chokramudi, in the Devikulam Forest Range
- Typical cycle
- Usually blooms once every 12 years
- Flowering season
- Typically August to October
- Bloom duration
- The mass bloom can remain for nearly three months
- Previous mass bloom
- Goenka identified 2014 as the previous mass bloom
- Next bloom claims
- Goenka mentioned 2038, while commenters said a separate major cycle may bloom in 2030