Tourists rush to the hills to see Neelakurinji, but return disappointed

Taking to heart pictures posted on social media about the large-scale blossoming of the rare Neelakurinji flowers, thousands of people thronged the hill stations in Chikkamagaluru district over the weekend, causing traffic jams on the narrow roads. Those who could reach Mullayyana Giri and Seethalayyana Giri hoping to catch a glimpse of the flowers, returned disappointed.

Neelakurinji flowers, a shrub belonging to the genus Strobilanthes, blossom once in 12 years. The pictures circulated on social media platforms triggered many people from distant places to plan a trip to the hills during the festival weekend.

According to statistics maintained by the Forest Department, tourists visited the hill stations came on 2,961 bikes, 5,301 cars, 370 mini-vans and 16 buses, in three days, from Friday to Sunday. On an average 12,000 people visited the hill stations each day.

Hundreds of travellers returned from Chikkamagaluru town after hearing of the traffic jams on the narrow roads leading to the hill stations. However, those who had already made bookings in resorts, travelled ahead. “We believed the photos circulated on social media to be true and came here. We were told that only in some parts, the flowers have blossomed, but we could not locate them,” said N. Manjunath, a traveller from Shivamogga.

Vehicles were seen stuck for hours on the narrow curving roads. The drivers had a tough time negotiating the sharp bends amid heavy flow of vehicles.

S.L. Shilpa, Range Forest Officer (Chikkamagaluru), told

The Hindu , “It has been difficult for us to manage the crowd. We want to tell the public that Neelakurinji flowers have not bloomed yet.” The official also alleged that owners of some resorts were spreading false information to boost business during the holidays.

Interestingly, the Tourism Department has also put up a hoarding inviting people to visit the place to see the flowers.

TVNL Raju, Assistant Director of Tourism Department, said the flowers were expected in July. It has already bloomed in Munnar, Kodaikanal and other places. “Twelve years ago, in 2006, blossoming happened between July and September. People who learnt about it blooming in other places, rushed to the hill stations here expecting to see the flowers. But, this time there are no flowers. We don’t know the reason,” he said.