There are flowers you can wait for every spring. And then there is Karvi, which is a rare wildflower that makes you wait almost a decade. Every seven to eight years, large areas of the Sahyadri hills burst into shades of purple when the Karvi shrub blooms. The phenomenon is one of the Western Ghats’ most unusual natural spectacles, and 2026 is one of the years when the bloom is expected to return. Want to know where to see them? Read on!
What Is Karvi Flower?
Also known as Strobilanthes, Karvi is a shrub that spends years growing quietly across the forests and hills. Then, when its flowering cycle arrives, entire patches can suddenly be covered in delicate purple blooms. In some parts of the Sahyadris, Karvi blooms alongside the yellow Sonki flowers, creating a striking purple-and-yellow landscape during the monsoon and early post-monsoon months.
The plant grows through the years, appearing relatively ordinary for much of its life. Then, after roughly seven to eight years, large populations flower around the same time. Large stretches of the hills turn into a dreamy purple carpet when it blooms en masse. And if you’ve been waiting for a reason to plan a monsoon escape this year, there’s good news: 2026 is one of those rare bloom years.
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Where To Find Karvi Flowers?
One of the most accessible places for Mumbaikars is Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Another place to witness Karvi flowers is Lonavala. The Maharashtra Tourism Department notes that Karvi is found extensively within the park and blooms once every eight years, turning parts of the landscape purple. Then there is Kaas Plateau, Maharashtra’s famous “Valley of Flowers” near Satara. Sitting at around 1,200 metres in the Sahyadris, Kaas is home to hundreds of seasonal wildflower species, including the rare Karvi shrub.
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However, if you’re planning a trip right now, don’t expect the full floral carpet just yet. Reports suggest that the 2026 Kaas flowering season is likely to peak from mid-September to late September/early October, with the exact timing dependent on rainfall and weather.
So, if you’re planning a monsoon escape from Mumbai or Pune, late September could be the sweet spot.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
Which flower blooms once in 7 years?
The Karvi flower (Strobilanthes callosa) is the most famous plant that blooms once every 7 to 8 years.
What is the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers?
The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand is from mid-July to mid-August, when the monsoon rains bring the alpine meadow into its peak bloom.
Where can I find karvi flowers in Maharashtra?
You can find Karvi flowers (Strobilanthes callosa) across the hilly terrains of the Sahyadri mountain ranges in Maharashtra, particularly during the monsoon and post-monsoon season in September.
