2nd September 2021
A small video clip which sent by my sister in law fired up my desire to see the Neelakurinji, actually my desire to see the neelakurinji started a long back, in 1987 I have red the beautiful Kannada novel "ಕುಂಜಾಲು ಕಣಿವೆಯ ಕೆಂಪು ಹೂವು" (Kunjaalu Kaniveya kempu hoovu) written by famous novelist ನಾ ಡಿಸೋಜ (Norbert D'Souza) which related to environmental changes, and in that novel hero find to search a flower which blooms once in a ten years. In September 2014 I heard the news that Neelakurinji was bloomed at Bababudan giri montains in chikkamagalur so went in search of Neelakurinji but unable to find the single flower you can read the story here. So this is my second attempt see the flowers.
Greenbull My Love💓
Before visiting I have confirmed about the news at Karnataka Tourism Department at Madikeri (Contact : 082722 28580) they said Neelakurinji bloomed at both Kote betta and Mandal patti, so I have decided to visit Kote betta. To enter Karnataka RT PCR is mandatory due to covid restrictions, so obtained the negative report and headed towards Madikeri.
Kote betta temple, view from parking lot
In the morning 0600hrs left home Karthik and his wife Kavyasree are Joined at Mulleria, around 0900hrs reached Madikeri and took breakfast. While entering the Karntataka state Police stopped us and after enter the personal and RT PCR details permit us to travel again same procedure repeated once we enter Kodagu district also.
Kote Betta
Kote Betta is located at Kodagu district which is 38kms from Madikeri, its 3rd Highest peak(5313ft) in Kodagu, at top of the hill a small Ishwara Temple was built. After finishing breakfast left Madikeri and headed towards Suntikoppa on Mysuru road which is just 14km from Madikeri town. From there took Madapra road and reached Garwale Village, where Kote betta roads begins.
Kote betta view point near the temple
Madikeri to Kote betta
Parking lot
It was a steep ascending road, condition is reasonably good, a small stretch in steep climb was like muddy filed so cars are hesitates to climb the top, visitors are parked their vehicle at there climbing the hill nd either by walk or hiring local Jeeps & Pick ups.
Steps leads to the temple
When we reached over there the rain was completely stopped, we easily reached the top of the hill and parked the motorcycles at parking lot, tourist already started to reach over there. Temple was closed, but allowed to climb the steps to reach view point located nearby. It was a beautiful scenery whole place covered with fog and cloud, for a moments it opens and clearly visible, but it was just for a moment only, it covers again.
View from point
Temple premises
Wild flowers
Tourist exploring the beauty of nature
Neelakurinji (My dream flower😍)
Close up view
Couples💓
Waterfalls view
After clicking few photographs we started to return journey, it was around 1200hrs, on the way find a beautiful view of the waterfall. at noon reached Madikeri and finished lunch and reached home by 1700hrs.
It was a shortest ride for us, but most memorable one because, at last I got break to my quest to search Neelakurinji which blooms again only after 12 long years.😎
Neelakurinji
Scientific name of the Neelakurinji is Strobilanthes kunthiana, it shrub type plants grows in western ghats of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu region and it grows in high altitude only (1300 to 2400 meters). It generally blooms between the month of September and October once in a 12 years. In olden days tribal people are used this flower to calculate their age.
