Karvi flowers in Chorlem Ghat...........

‘Karvi flowers’, botanically called Strobilanthes callosus, are special attractions of this season and year along the hills of Western Ghats, especially in the upper region of Goa-Belgaum roadsides in Chorlem Ghat. We have been reading this since a month in local dailies and felt seeing them from close proximity.....

Strobilanthes callosus is a shrub and grows wildly along the sharp escarpments in the hills of Western Ghats. They are green and luxuriant during monsoon and dry in summer months. Interestingly, these plants flower once in 8 years. We had witnessed the flowering 8 years ago and that is another reason compelled us to see the flowing this year again.  So, along with our friends, Raghukumars, we set out to Chorlem Ghat on last Monday.  First, the Anjuna dam and its peripheral panoramic view, then the winding ghat road and upper plateaus and then the pristine dense forests.... It was truly a wonderful day...

Karvi flowers are pink in colour and truly a delight to watch all over the escarpments.  It’s not only Karvi but also numerous other wild flowers in a variety of sizes and shades, from small to big and white to pink, bloomed all over the escarpments and plateaus....! Added to that numerous butterflies and moths... The Ghats and plateaus are full of life....! When we see this, we feel that nature is at her best during and soon after rain....!  Undoubtedly, it’s a great treat to watch the wilderness of the Western Ghats in this season...! More you wander around, more you will see.....!

D. Jayarama Bhat