The Neelakurinji Flowers Blooming Season 2018 in Munnar

State - Kerala

District - Idukki

City - Munnar

Flower Name - Neelakurinji

Botanical Name - Strobilanthes kunthianus

Blooming Season - July to October

About The Neelakurinji Flowers Blooming Season in Munnar

Munnar - one of the most traveled places in India is awaiting a magic of the decade! Munnar is popular among travelers and tourists from all across the globe for its breathtaking tea plantations, lush valleys, dense vegetation, roaring waterfalls, spices, hair-pin roads and captivating beauty. No one is disappointed by their trip to Munnar. As if this all was not enough, this year there would be an added attraction that would attract nature lovers from all over the globe to Munnar to witness the bloom of Neelakurinji flowers. The bloom of Neelakurinji flowers is one of the most anticipated event of Kerala. The Neelakurinji flower is popularly called so, because in Malayalam, which is the main language spoken in Kerala, 'Neelakurinji' means 'blue flower'. Nilgiri Mountains get it's name only because of these flowers as 'Nil' means 'blue' and 'gir' means 'mountain'.This bloom of Neelakurinji Flowers would blanket the hills of Munnar and present the most spell-binding experience.

It is said that the bloom of Neelakurinji Flowers happen once in twelve years. Not just one but around 40 odd varieties of Neelakurinji flowers would bloom all over on the Nilgiri Hills. And it is said that 2018 is the year that is to witness this beautiful bloom again.The blanket of dreamy shade of purplish blue flowers will be finally making its appearance from July 2018 to October 2018 and thus the long wait would be over.  This natural wonder can be enjoyed this year 2018 in Munnar from early July to October. The natural blooming flower show of Neelakurinji flaunts it's beauty over the Nilgiri Hills. The best part of this bloom is the eye-soothing colour of the Neelakurinji flower, which as ages turns into bluish purple which serves as a pleasant backdrop among the green hills. These flowers could be widely seen in Munnar around the areas of Eravikulam National Park. If you are lucky enough you may just witness a Nilgiri Tahr, the endangered mountain goat, strolling lazily down the hills amidst the beautiful flower spread.

These shrubs of Neelakurinji flowers grow on the altitude of around 4265 ft to 7800 feet. The height of this plant is only 30 to 60 cm and hence is counted to be a shrub. The peak season for the bloom is September and October, and that is when Munnar is thronged with tourists, biologists and nature lovers from all around the world. But one can start visiting Munnar right from June or July to witness the mass flowering of Neelakurinji Flowers. The time when the flowers bloom fully is  a peak season in Munnar - pretty crowded.

Tips for Traveler Who are Planning a Visit for the Neelakurinji Flowers Bloom 2018

- If you are planning to witness this awesome sight, make sure you carry on the booking in advance. Many tour operators have already opened the booking schedule.

- Book travel arrangements in advance too, unless you are traveling on your own.

- Visit the place early, preferably early morning. A walk amidst the flower spread is one of the most amazing experience.

Kashid Beach in Maharashtra

Kashid Beach

State: Maharashtra

Location: 29 km from Alibaug and 150 km from Mumbai on Alibaug - Murud Road

Famous for: beach

Serves as: one day picnic spot or weekend destination

About Kashid Beach near Alibaug:

Once you decide to explore the Konkan stretch then all you have to do is drive down the road from Alibaug, and you come across small hamlets of beach few unexplored and few very well known. One such beach is Kashid, very famous and popular among Mumbaikars. Kashid Beach is located around 29 km from Alibaug on the Alibaug - Murud Road. The best part about this beach is its white and dazzling sand, bluish sea water and surrounding beauty. Many consider Kashid to be the best beach out of all the other beaches on the Konkan Stretch. The beach is set on a 3 km stretch amidst rocky hills, but yet the water is safe to enter and swim. Surfing is a popular activity among visitors given the size of the waves, mostly 3 to 4 feet on any normal day. The best part about these beach is it is less frequented by visitors during weekdays, but weekends are quite crowded. Moreover this beach is undoubtedly clean, given the pathetic conditions found in most of the beaches in India, few are still clean and Kashid is one of them!

Best time to visit Kashid Beach:

As always the best time to visit Kashid Beach is usually from October to early March. Summers are too hot but a early morning swim in summers is just not a bad idea. However that should be tried only if you are visiting at 6:00 am in the morning, but it starts getting hotter by 9:00 am and then all you get is sun-burns. Please don't visit Kashid Beach in monsoons or even if you do don't try to swim or surf. As normally the waves are on higher side, imagine how things would be in monsoons, they go as high as 5 to 6 meters. So not safe enough to surf, highly dangerous.

What to do in Kashid:

Enjoy and explore the magical sand and the dazzling blue water

Swim and surf on those high tidal waves

Explore the beauty of one of the best beach on the Konkan stretch

Watch the amazing sunset

Taste the authentic coastal food

Indulge in water sports

Stay in the various accommodation facilities available near Kashid

How to reach Kashid Beach:

Kashid Beach is just 29 km from Alibaug and around 150 km from Mumbai. From Pune, Kashid is just 170 km so accessibility is good. There are many buses from Mumbai Central and Kurla Bus station that ply regularly to Kashid. The main stop for these buses is Murud and they halt at Kashid on the way. Also there are bus services from Thane and many other parts in Mumbai. Even from Pune the route is accessible via Mulshi or via Khopoli. The route from Pune to Kashid via Khopoli is:

Pune - Khopoli exit - Pen - Alibaug - Revdanda - Kashid

Where to stay in Kashid:

Kashid is one such place where accommodation is no problem. There are many stay options including MTDC Rresort, private hotels, local accommodation options and many others which come handy. Many such options are both affordable and comfortable, given the local people have also made sufficient arrangements for visitors like changing area as well as reasonable stay area. Few of the popular accommodation options include:

Kashid Beach Resort

Chilika Lake in Orissa

Chilika Lake

About Chilika Lake:

Chilika Lake is India's only largest, brackish water lagoon located in Orissa State. This lake is home to one of the rare and endangered species of birds, plants and animals. One can definitely fall in love with this lake at the first sight. This lake also forms a large fishing source for the local fishermen. Birds from all over the world including Russia, Siberia, Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal and many other places visit this lake. It is one of the notable wetlands of the World.

Avi-fauna at Chilaka Lake:

Egrest, Purple Herons, Indian roller, Storks, Spoon bills, Brahminy ducks, Pintails, Shovellers, Jacana, Sea eagles.

Fauna at Chilaka Lake:

Green Sea turtle, dugong, Irrawaddy dolphins, Black buck, Fishing cat, Limbless skink

Flora at Chilaka Lake:

Seagrass, Mangrove, various wild plants of horticultural importance, flowering plants, island floral species



Aqua-fauna at Chilaka Lake:

Herrings, sardines, Hilsa, Mullet, Ten punder, and many other fresh water fishes

How to reach Chilaka Lake:
Chilaka Lake can be reached by a road through NH5 from cities like Chennai. Moreover the lake is only 50 km from Puri, 44 km from Gopalpur Beach and 100 km from Bhubaneshwar. Nearest airport for Chilaka Lake is Bhubaneshwar.

Places of interest nearby:

Gopalpur Beach