Just hours from Pune, Mumbai, hills turn purple and yellow only once in 8 years. The monsoon spectacle is back

Nature often surprises us with its extraordinary beauty, reminding us how much magic exists beyond the everyday. From mist-covered landscapes to vibrant blooms and dramatic seasonal transformations, the natural world creates scenes that feel almost unreal. Among the many wonders of nature, one that deserves a mention is the rare Karvi and Sonki flowers. Found on the lush slopes and hill forts of the Sahyadri range in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and Karnataka, these flowers turn the lush hills into vibrant purple and gold shades. But this magical sight appears only once every 8 years.

Karvi: The rare purple spectacle

Karvi, scientifically known as Strobilanthes callosa, is a flowering shrub. Unlike plants that flower every year, Karvi follows a much longer natural cycle. Its plants grow for around eight years before flowering together in a spectacular mass bloom. This unusual process, known as synchronous flowering, means large numbers of Karvi plants bloom around the same time. Scientists believe this strategy helps the species reproduce more successfully.

With thousands of flowers appearing together, bees, butterflies and other pollinators are drawn to the hills, while the huge number of seeds produced may make it harder for seed-eating animals to consume them all. The cycle has an unusual ending. After flowering and producing seeds, the Karvi shrubs die, leaving behind the next generation to begin its long growth phase. For travellers, this makes the bloom particularly special, as another opportunity to see the purple-covered landscape may not come for several years.

Sonki: Monsoon brings golden blooms

If Karvi paints the landscape purple, Sonki adds a burst of yellow. Also known as the Mumbai Golden Daisy, Sonki begins making a striking appearance around the monsoon season, covering hill slopes and other open spaces in clusters of bright yellow flowers. The plant is a hardy herb that can grow in some surprisingly unlikely places, including rocky crevices, old rooftops, and steep slopes.

The flower’s ability to grow in large groups makes its seasonal flowering especially eye-catching, with stretches of yellow creating a dramatic contrast against the green landscape. Sonki also plays an important role in the local ecosystem. When many other plants become less abundant after the heavy monsoon, its flowers provide food for butterflies, bees and several other insects. The plant's roots also help hold the thin, rocky soil found across the Western Ghats, reducing the impact of heavy rainwater runoff on these exposed landscapes.

Karvi and Sonki flowers: Significance and viewing

Beyond its beauty, Karvi has also been useful to communities living around the Western Ghats. Local tribal communities have traditionally used its strong, dried stems along with mud while constructing homes. The material can help create traditional houses that remain relatively cool. The plant also has a connection with honey collection.

During the rare mass flowering, the abundance of blooms attracts large numbers of bees, allowing honey hunters to collect Karvi honey, known for its dark colour and thick texture. For travellers, the best way to enjoy this seasonal spectacle is to explore the Western Ghats during the flowering period. Hill trails, plateaus and open slopes can offer sweeping views of the blooms, especially when mist and monsoon clouds add to the scenery.