Once every 12 years, Neelakurinji flowers bloom in Karnataka

The Neelakurinji flowers bloom once every 12 years. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

The Kurinji shrub blooms in the Western Ghat regions of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and the Nilgiri hills. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

In fact, the Nilgiri hills got their name from these flowers. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

In Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru people flock to witness this blooming spectacle (Express photo by Jithendra M)

These flowers grow at an altitude of 1,300 to 2,400 meters (Express photo by Jithendra M)

The peak blooming season is between August and October (Express photo by Jithendra M)

For some tribals, who were the first settlers of Kodaikanal, the bloom helped them to calculate their age -- with every bloom 12 years was added to their age. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

However, blooming seasons have become unpredictable over the years due to changing weather patterns (Express photo by Jithendra M)