The latest Neelakurinji bloom has opened up new viewing spots around Munnar, with Chokramudi Hills and the Mattupetty region among the areas drawing a…
1/7Kerala remains a major tourist destination for its charming backwaters, delicious cuisine, and scenic views. Now, travellers have an added reason to visit the state. The rare Neelakurinji flowers have bloomed again on the hills near Munnar. The unusual purple flowers bloom once every 12 years in parts of the Western Ghats and Himalayan regions. (Image: Canva)
2/7When the flowers bloom, usually between August and October, entire stretches of hills seem to be covered in shades of blue and purple. The Neelakurinji flowers are currently blooming across Chokramudi in the Devikulam Forest Range as well as the Korandakadu hills near Mattupetty. Tourists have several options to experience the blooms before the flowers fade away. (Image: Canva)
3/7Chokramudi Hills | Travellers planning a visit to Kerala this month will find Chokramudi Hills to be one of the best spots to view the Neelakurinji flowers. The spot offers beautiful views of the flowers across the mountains instead of isolated spots. The hills are located along the Munnar-Bodimettu road. A designated viewing area for visitors was opened on August 24, 2026. As the areas are part of a fragile high-altitude ecosystem, visitors need to stay in the designated areas only. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
4/7Mattupetty region | The Mattupetty-Kannimala region has its own flowering calendar. Tourists can combine viewing the Neelakurinji bloom with some of Munnar’s other attractions, such as the Mattupetty Dam. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
5/7Korandakad near Mattupetty | Korandakad near Mattupetty is another possible location to visit. Reports claim that Neelakurinji has begun flowering across the hills here. However, parts of the area are under private ownership. Access is subject to permissions and local transport arrangements. Travellers should not assume that they can enter the Neelakurinji viewing regions freely. (Image: Shutterstock)
6/7What visitors need to know | The flowers appearing in Chokramudi and the Mattupetty region have a different flowering cycle than the batch in Eravikulam National Park. The Chokramudi and Mattupetty-Kannimala slopes will bloom again in 12 years. The flowers in Eravikulam National Park are expected to bloom in 2030. (Image: Harsh Goenka/X)
7/7The Munnar Forest Division’s visitor guidelines advise tourists to remain on designated trails and viewpoints. Visitors are prohibited from plucking, uprooting, damaging or trampling Neelakurinji and other vegetation. They also need to follow entry-permit and official visiting-hour rules when visiting designated forest areas. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
