For the first timeneelakurinjiflowers have been spotted in the low lying areas ofIdukki. The flowers have been spotted in the hills of Alankupara which is part of Chakkikavu hills near Elaveezhapoonchira in Kottayam district.

Earlier, the flowering of neelakurinji (strobilanthes Kunthiana) was also spotted at theAlumkappara hillsnear Moolamattam in Thodupuzha. The area lies along the border between Kottayam-Idukki districts and close to Elaveezhapoonchira.

Alunkapara is at an altitude of 900 metres high and it can be accessed through difficult terrain from Choondikulam Nirappu on Mechal route from Chakkikavu.

In the past year Pushpakandam Anakkara Mettu hills in the Western Ghats borderingTamil Naduand Puttady near Munnar have witnessed isolated flowering of neelakurinji.