Kashmir welcomes Spring with almond flowers

0
167
Kashmiri ladies walk down a freeway lined with almond blossoms.
Kashmiri ladies walk down a freeway lined with almond blossoms | Photo: Reshi Irshad

SRINAGAR — People in Kashmir are finally breathing a sigh of relief after four months of harsh winters, as signs of spring, colloquially known as ‘Soant’ have begun to appear in the Valley.

Winter has left nasty and deep scars on the canvas of our reminiscence, and the people of this land have been waiting for spring to come.

Story continues below advertisement
After working in his almond fields, a young man leaves home.
After working in his almond fields, a young man leaves home | Photo: Reshi Irshad

As if spring had been buried in a distant graveyard, the frozen winter had plunged us deep into pessimism. Over the last 19 months, the valley has been under lockdown for extended periods of time.

ALSO READ
Kashmiri tradition of Hokh Syun sustains winter comfort, economic benefits amidst Chillai Kalan
With crops sprayer on his pushcart, a farmer heads towards his orchards.
With crops sprayer on his pushcart, a farmer heads towards his orchards | Photo: Reshi Irshad

However, spring has finally arrived. Hundreds of people are flocking to Kashmir’s blossoming almond alcoves and tulip gardens, which have been described as “therapeutic for the scarred psyche” by some local mental health practitioners.

In the blossomed almond fields, a little girl waits for her parents.
In the blossomed almond fields, a little girl waits for her parents | Photo: Reshi Irshad

A fully flowering almond tree is also a sight to behold, and people of the valley marvel at its majesty. It’s because in Kashmir, a blooming almond tree signals the start of Nowruz – a truly secular festival marked by Kashmir’s all religious communities in one form or the other.

ALSO READ
Zamanai Pouk Ne Hamdam by Ishfaq Kawa

We do have a lot of almonds grown here, but almond flowering is a wonderful scene, cherished by one and all.

Follow Us

The Kashmir Pulse is now on Google News. Subscribe our Telegram channel and Follow our WhatsApp channel for timely news updates!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here