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thing of beauty is joy forever, so said Keats. But beauty of Kashmir with the advent of spring was a heavenly experience. After a sleepy and harsh winter, spring induced new life not only in human beings but to the animal world as well. Not to speak of vegetation which was at its colorful best in spring? The spring in Kashmir usually starts from middle of March to middle of May.Sometimes incessant rainfall would spoil the charm as it set fresh spell of cold wave. But overall spring in Kashmir was a joy to behold if we are permitted to steal poet’s line. As cold wind blew with advent of spring in Kashmir days become longer and brighter. Flowers like taekbatni, verikyom yemberzal make their appearance. Flowers in spring had a magical presence and heightened the joy one felt. Flowers were like an ornament which decked the bride and that bride was mother Kashmir. The blossoming of buds into flowers especially of almond trees added colour to the scenic beauty of Kashmir. People would usually visit Badamvari especially on Sundays, holidays and other cherished festivals to enjoy Badam Phulay which indicated blossoming of almond trees.Badamvari lies in the foothills of Hari parbbat.
Some of the important festivals of Kashmiri pandits like Navreh,Zangtrai fell during the summer season. Navreh marked the beginning of new year as per Sapt Rishi Samvat.On this day people would throng to Hari parbat- a hillock on the outskirts of Srinagar,near Rainawari There is a magnificent temple of Sharika Bhagwati on the hillock & devoted reach it after climbing 111 steps laid with chiseled stones. This temple is known as Siddh peeth where many sages and saints performed Sadhana and achieved spiritual fulfillment. Kashmiri Pandits circumambulate (parikrama) daily this holy place on foot covering a distance of 4 kms. Visting the Hari Parbat was not merely a religious experience but a picnic as well. From the ramparts of Chakrishwer the breathtaking view of Srinagar city could be obtained . On Sundays and holidays people would throng to Badamvar and sight of almond trees in full bloom was a sight to behold. It was festive environment all around. People would sip kehwa & namkeen tea from Samavars with snacks like Nader maunji. Luchi. Happiness and joy all around was infectious. Children in colourful dresses would throng make shift shops buying toys and water balloons. Group of musicians were seen and heard singing chakkri (kashmiri folk music) in one corner of Badmvar. It was a fun to watch people enjoying gaor (singhara-roasted). Another festival which is being celebrated during this period is “ Zangtrai” It is out and out an Panditani’s festival. Married women would celebrate it as a good omen for a new year. On third day of moonlit fortnight of Chetra, they would visit their parents to seek blessing and return in the evening to their in-laws with a packet of salt and athagat. During the day their parents would take them out for an outing elther to take them out for an outing either to Sharika Devi, Hari Parbat or to Ramjees Mandir Sathu Barbar Shah or to Sri Mangleshwar Asthapan, Fateh kadal as these were favoured destinations. It was festive atmosphere everywhere. At Chakrishwer,ladies were served with tea (kehwa/namkeen) and provided with a packet of salt as shagoon. Mention spring in Kashmir and immediately famous Mughal Gardens come into the frame that is mind’s eye who can forget Nishat, Shalimar, Harwan and of course Cheshma Shahi? Nishat Bagh on the slopes of Zabrwan Hill with its neat manicured lawns, terraces and host of flowers was sight to behold. The flora and fauna mesmerizes the visitors to the garden. Shalimar Bagh has been called the “garden of love”. It is also decorated with flowers, plants, fountains and magnificent Chinar trees. An added attraction of the garden was light and sound show. Cheshma shahi on the slopes of zabarwan is at a higher elevation than Nishat and Shalimar,laid by Ali Mardan Khan. The trees of garden included cherries,peaches which when in full bloom added to its beauty. The added attraction of the garden was its natural spring known for its digestive properties. With the advent of spring in Kashmir, tourists and locals enjoy shikara ride in the placid waters of Dal Lake which touches important gardens around it.When the wind is strong, waters of Dal Lake would become choppy and shikaras (boats) would make creaky noise as it ride the waves.It is sight to behold. Ah! Spring in Kashmir.Who could forget it ? Morning cool breeze,migratory birds like swallow (katij) and whistling poshinol (harbingers of spring), blooming flowers like yemberzal, tekebaten, phulay of almond trees and picturesque Dal Lake is a mystical experience. Who could forget it? And forget we must not. Note:-The input of important festivals during spring has been provided by Prof.R.L.Raina ( ex-chemistry Prof.) |
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*Bilhan Kaul is a freelance writer and hasbeen a regular contributer in various magazines and newspapers. The writer has written extensively on forced conversion and believes it to be the root cause of the conflict in Kashmir. A Central Government Employee presently lives in Janipur, Jammu (India). |
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