NEELAKURINJI

The legendary Neelakurinji blooms!
(August-October 2018)
Yes folks. You heard that right! The long wait is now over! The hills of Munnar will soon be bathed in a dreamy shade of blue. The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthianus) blooms only once in every 12 years and it sure is a sight to behold!
Here, with pleasure, Kerala Tourism offers you in-depth insights into the ‘Neelakurinji
Phenomenon’ through photographs of the blooming in 1982 and 1994, video clips of
the Kurinji and other nearby attractions, the best routes to reach the flowering site at
Rajamala, travel writers who share their experiences of having witnessed the flowering in the previous years and also scholarly articles on preserving the endangered Kurinji as well.

Every twelve years, the hills of Munnar in Kerala burst into a sea of blue, a rare natural spectacle for which travellers 

make a beeline for. An endless stretch of rolling hills carpeted with tiny blue flowers welcomes the visitors. It is the time 

Neelakurinji, a flower with 40 odd varieties, blossoms in all its grandeur.

The long wait of twelve years is finally over. The hills will soon be bathed in a dreamy shade of blue from August 2018 to 

October 2018. Are you ready?

Botanists call it the blooming of ‘Strobilanthes kunthianus’, 

the botanical name of Neelakurinji. Neela in local parlance translates to the colour blue and Kurinji is the local name for the flower.

This stellar phenomenon can be witnessed between the months of August 2018 and October 2018 when the flower 

blooms in all its glory unleashing a visual extravaganza. In fact, there is no better time to visit Munnar than when the 

Neelakurinji blooms en masse.

The Nilgiri Tahr, the endangered mountain goat, is endemic to these hills. The majestic mountain goat ambling down the 

hills that are swathed in Neelakurinji makes for an extremely enigmatic sight.

Flooded with travel requests, many tour operators have opened their bookings well in advance. A host of packages 

are now available for travellers. Moreover, tour planners and adventure clubs organise trekking in these hills when the 

Neelakurinji blooms. This unique lifecycle of the plant makes the hills a must-visit destination for biologists and nature 

enthusiasts alike.

Why Neelakurinji flowers 

only once in 12 years?

Among plants, there are annuals and perennials. Annual plants complete their life cycle in one year. They grow 

from the seed, bloom, produce seeds and die in one growing season. Perennials live for more than two years and usually 

flower every year and set seeds.

Some perennials flower only once in their lifetime, set seeds and die. The next generation of the plants are established 

from these seeds and the cycle is repeated. Such plants are known as monocarpic, opposed to polycarpic plants 

that flower and set seeds many times during its lifetime. Monocarpic plants flower only after attaining maturity. The 

time taken by different species may differ in this respect.Bamboos are monocarpic plants taking more than 40 years 

to mature and flower. Another characteristic shown by such plants is that these will flower gregariously in a single season. This happens in the case of bamboos and Kurinjis. The term 

‘plietesials’ is used to refer to such plants. The time taken to mature varies in different species of Kurinjis. So different 

species of Kurinjis have different intervals of flowering. Neelakurinji matures in 12 years time and flowers gregariously 

every 12 years.

Visitors Guidelines

Do not pluck the flowers or plant. They are an endangered endemic species and an integral part of the ecosystem. Any 

harm to even a single plant will impact the entire region at large.

Please understand that the plants will grow only above an altitude of 1500 meters and plucking them in hopes of growing 

them at home will be in vain.

The Kurinji plants are fire resistant and act as a natural protector to the grasslands from forest fires and also check 

soil erosion so please refrain from harming the plant.If harmed the Kurinji will cease to exist not only denying future generations the sacred experience of witnessing its 

flowering but also irreparably damage the delicate balance of the environment.

The Neelakurinji flowering area is a STRICTLY NO PLASTIC 

ZONE. Please cooperate.

Do not forget, our Earth is our responsibility.

Akkulam Tourist village (Thiruvananthapuram , kerala ,India)

 Refresh your mind by visiting a truly exotic destination-Kerala. Explore God’s own country, Kerala and have a great unforgettable experience. No doubt, the plantation hills, cool coconut groves and the backwater experience here will leave you with sweet and cherished memories. Thick and dark green leaves with colourful flowers in between them are an eye catching scene everywhere you turn.

What is it?

It is a fantastic backwater destination and a beautiful picnic spot on the banks of the Akkulam lake. The calm and serene atmosphere has proved this village an ideal spot for the tourists. No doubt it would be a fascinating experience.

Where is it located?

Akkulam lake is an extension of big lake named Veli, which leads to the sea.

When can I go?

Round the year, the village is open for tourists. But normally many tourists flock here during summers.
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What is special here?

The Boat Club which started functioning in the year 1989 has well-equipped boating facilities. We can find Speed boats, Safari boats, Pedal boats and Row boats from Akkulam to Veli Tourist Village. You can try your hands at row boat or legs in the pedal boats. A traditional style kettuvallam(house boat) is also available for overnight stay.
There is a swimming pool well-equipped with glider and other playing facilities for adults where swim suit is compulsory. Children’s Park with new rides and a snack bar is an interesting attraction for the children. The newly started musical fountain is an additional attraction for both adults and kids.
The Southern Air Command of Indian Air Force is located here at Akkulam. The International Convention Centre which will be the largest in Kerala is under construction at Akkulam. The world famous Centre for Earth Science Studies is in Akkulam village only.

Timings and Rates:

Boat Timings: 1000-1830 hrs
Safari Boat- Rs.250 for 21 persons, Pedal Boat- Rs.60 for 4 persons, Row Boat- Rs.40 for 1 person.
Children’s Park Timings: 1000-1930 hrs
Adults- Rs.5 & Children- Rs.3.
Swimming Pool Timings: 0600-1830 hrs
Adults- Rs.20 & Children- Rs.10.

What are the rules here?

Smoking is not allowed in public places. Heavy penalty and imprisonment will be levied on the person possessing narcotic drugs. People are expected to behave properly in public places and hugging and kissing activities are not accepted here.
It is better to wear life-jackets while riding on boats. It is also advisable to carry local police station’s number too for any emergency. Follow the instructions of the Oarsmen there before taking a ride in a pedal boat or a rowboat.
While going in for Ayurvedic massages, see to it that you are in an Ayurvedic Centre approved by the Department of Tourism.
It is better to watch the official website of Kerala- www.kerala.gov while planning for a trip.

How to reach there ?

It is located at a distance of 10 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram city or 7 Kms from Trivandrum International Airport towards South Kerala.

VELLAYANI LAKE (Thiruvananthapuram , kerala, India)

Kerala is a land of water sports and festivities on the lagoons and lakes. This place is blessed with a varsity of water bodies that acts as the mirror for the scenic beauty all around. The water bodies are the surfaces that nature chooses in Kerala to woo the tourists with its marvelous reflections. Hence, tourists often visit this state only because of the marvelous beauty that the water bodies offer. One such popular water body in
Kovalam in Kerala is the Vellayani Lake. This lake is the very same lake that is familiar to us because of the wallpapers of the Onam festival. It is on this same lake that the popular boating competitions take place and, hence, the Vellayani Lake is famous all over the world. Hence, tourists from all over the world visit this mythological and holy lake every year especially during the festival of Onam.

Things to Do There

Enjoy a quiet walk down the banks of the Vellayani Lake amidst the lush, green vegetation filled with the fragrance of wild flowers.
You can try out various local dishes that would satisfy your taste buds to the fullest.
Go for boating or any other
adventure sport to get a feel of light adventure.

Availibility of Guides

Professional guides are bound to be present there at that time. So, need not worry as you can carry on with your enjoyment wholeheartedly.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Karamani River in Kovalam, Kerala, is from October to February every year as it is that time of the year when the heat is bearable up to a great extent. However, if you want to see the lake at its greatest grandeur, then you should try to visit the lake during the festival of Onam.

How to Reach

The Vellayani Lake is located at a distance of 21 km from thiruvananthapuram. So, you can hire a cab or board a tourist bus to reach the lake.
Interesting Facts About the Vellayani Lake
The origin of the Vellayani Lake is associated with a mythological story.
The Vellayani Lake is a sacred lake and is worshipped by the local residents.
The Vellayani Lake is the venue for the boating competitions that take place in this region during the festival of Onam

The Vellayani Lake is rich in both beauty and bounty. With a picturesque view presented in the surrounding, this lake is ideal for a romantic boat ride in the evening while watching the reflection of the setting sun on the surface of the lake. Apart from boating on the lake, the tourists can also enjoy taking a pleasurable walk down the banks of the lake or they can sit and gorge on delicious snacks to make their trip to the Vellayani Lake so memorable that they are compelled to return to this place again and again. Hence, to experience the magic that this place has in store for the visitors, the Vellayani Lake is a must visit for all.

kovalam (Thiruvananthapuram, kerala , India )

The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. However, Kovalam shot into limelight in the early seventies with arrivals of the masses of hippies on their way to Ceylon in the Hippie Trail. This exodus started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India.


Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach.
Lighthouse Beach
The southernmost beach, the Lighthouse Beach is the one most frequented by tourists, Lighthouse Beach got its name due to the old Vizhinjam Lighthouse located on a 35 meter high on top of the Kurumkal hillock. The lighthouse is built using stones, is colored in red and white bands and enjoys a height of 118 feet.  It's intermittent beams at night render the beach with an unearthly charm.
Hawah Beach
Eve’s Beach, more commonly known as Hawa Beach, ranks second, in the early day, is a beehive of activities with fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights.
Samudra Beach
A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part.
Detour past Kovalam junction to land on Samudra Beach which is to the north of Ashoka Beach. One has the option to walk along the sea-wall too.The sight of the waves lashing on the rocks below is awesome.
Shallow waters stretching for hundreds of metres are ideal for swimming. The beaches have steep palm covered headlands and are lined with shops that offer all kinds of goods and services.

The larger of the beaches is called Lighthouse Beach for its 35 metre high light house which towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. The second largest one is Hawah Beach named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. [ citation needed ] However topless bathing is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts. Visitors frequent these two beaches. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach in tourism parlance. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of
ilmenite and Monazite . The normal tourist season is from September to May. Ashoka beach is also the part of Kovalam beach.

Akkulam tourist village (Thiruvananthapuram , kerala , India )

Akkulam tourist village is located near Ulloor in Thiruvananthapuram district. It is a picnic spot that is set along the banks of the lake Akkulam. This is a part of the Veli lake. There is a boat club where boating facilities are available. There is a children’s park, swimming pool, artificial waterfall etc. There is a small light and sound theatre which is shown on demand. Adults are permitted to enter the swimming pool and there are separate timings for men and women. A charge has to be paid for entering the pool and one has to wear proper swim suites. There is a mini restaurant where snacks and ice creams are available. There are various equipments for the children to play such as swings, sliders, see saw etc.
Timings in Akkulam tourist village are
Children’s Park : 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
Swimming Pool : 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
Boat Rentals : 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Rates in Akkulam tourist village are
Children’s Park : Adult 5 Rs, Children 10 Rs
Swimming Pool : Adult 15 Rs, Children 10 Rs
Safari boat : 15 Rs per person
Speed Boat : 150 Rs for 4 persons
How To Reach
District Thiruvananthapuram/td>
Near Bus Station Thiruvananthapuram bus station
Near Railway Station Thiruvananthapuram railway station at a distance of 10 kms
Near Airport Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at a distance of 7 kms

ANCHUTHENGU FORT (Thiruvananthapuram , kerala, INDIA )

For the history buffs and experience seekers I have a place in mind in Trivandrum, The Anjengo Fort. Anchuthengu, formerly known as Anjengo, is a place situated about 12 km from Varkala en route to Kadakkavur. It is another coastal town in Trivandrum district and is known as an old colonial settlement. The island is very small in area, sandwiched between the sea and backwaters, but it has high relevance in the history of India, with various colonial powers. The Portuguese, Dutch and the English tried to occupy the place.
The major landmark at Anchuthengu is Anjengo Fort, which is situated between the sea and backwaters. Travelers can also see some ancient tombstones and a garden on the fort premises. Preserved under the National Heritage monuments, the fort was constructed in 17th century.

Where did the name come ?

Anchuthengu, literally means five coconut trees, and as the name indicates the whole land is cultivated with coconut trees. Some historians are of the view that the name was derived from Anjingal, which was the original Tamil name of the place.
The British mispronounced it as Anjengo and the later generations of the local residents started to refer to this place as Anchuthengu.

History of Anjengo fort

Anchuthengu has great relevance in the history. It was the first trade settlement of the East India Company. The Queen of Attingal gave permission to the British under the East India Company to make a factory in Anchuthengu in 1684.
They also got a permission to build a fort in 1690 and the Anjengo Fort was built in 1695. The settlement in Anchuthengu helped the Company promote its trade with various countries, as the place supported water way communication to the North.
They also opened a depot to keep the military equipment at Anchuthengu. In short, this small island soon became one of the major trading platforms of the British in India, after Mumbai.
There was local unrest against the British in 1697 and the natives attacked the British factory at Anchuthengu, but it was a minor unrest and could create no major ripples in the political equation of the country.
But the Attingal rebellion of 1721 has some historical significance. The natives were very unpleasant due to the arrogant approach of the British towards them and they were further distanced from them due to some new unjust measures that the British tried to implement in the land.
But at the same time the British pleased the Queen with precious gifts. In 1721, the local feudal lords demanded the British to give presents to the Queen of Attingal only through them. The British refused to obey this and with about 140 English traders, they proceeded to Attingal with the gifts for the Queen.
The local people attacked the group and killed all the English traders. They also sieged the Anjengo Fort. The attack was defended by Gunner Inns and later the rebellion was defeated when more British force from Thalassery reached Anchuthengu. This incident is known as the first collective move against the British rule in Kerala.
The fort played an important role during the invasion of Mysore king, Hyder Ali too. During the Anglo Mysore wars in 18th century, the fort became the store house of ammunition for the British.
Architecture of the Anjengo Fort
Compared to the other forts in Kerala, Anjengo fort lacks some typical look and characteristics of a fort. It is more like an enclosed bastion with high laterite walls. The fort also has some lookout points and there entrances on east and west.
As you enter the fort, you would see a cemetery which has remains of the fort inhabitants. While you are here, you can also visit Muthalapuzhi Lake which is quite close to the fort and the stunning backwater stretch which is lined with coconut trees.
Another attraction at Anjengo is the serene beach, which is very clean and ideal for picnickers. The fishing village adjoining the beach adds to the overall charm of Anjengo, with the fishermen and their routine activities adding to one’s interest
Opening hours of Anjengo Fort and Light House
Visitors are allowed everyday from 09:00 am to 06:30 pm and the approximate visit duration is 1 to 2 hours

How to reach Anjengo Fort

Nearest railway station: Varkala, about 12 km and Trivandrum Central, about 37 km
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 35 km
This is a recommended place for photographers and history buffs, I know the things will change over the time especially for monuments so please share your thoughts and latest news of Anjengo Fort here

kalakkayam waterfall (Thiruvananthapuram ,kerala , INDIA)

The Kalakkayam Waterfalls in Kerala is also called the ‘Idinjar Falls’. Spreading its enchanting beauty across the countryside of Idinjar in Thiruvananthapuram, it is also called the ‘Mankayam Waterfalls’, and is one of the most popular and promising cascades in the entire state.
Located around 44km from the heart of Trivandrum, Kalakkayam Falls is tucked away amidst lush and evergreen settings. Owing to this, it has become a much sought after tourist spot in the capital city of Kerala. Be it the locals or the tourists, its relaxed, surreal, and salubrious ambience entices everyone to visit and explore its magical beauty. It is also one of the most popular picnic spots in and around the city of Thiruvananthapuram.