Such is the impact of new almond blossoms over the hearts of people in the Kashmir Valley that they cheer up and rejoice at the happy sight. It is time for rejuvenation and life appears in new colours with a variety of blossoms flowering in every corner of the Valley.
As bright sunshine bathes the region after a harsh and bleak winter, blue skies and cheerful weather approach and new blooms like almonds, peaches, pears, cherries and the bright yellow mustard flowers paint a riot of colours on nature’s canvas, lending freshness to the air and a sweet fragrance — signalling the arrival of spring.
The season is also marked by the onset of a fairly long wet period when the earth produces a unique sweet yet musty smell from its snow-parched depths and nature, awash in the first spring showers, glows afresh. It is time for the monochromes to give way to vibrant hues and for the ‘dead’ valley to return to life again.
Almond and mustard are important cash crops in the Valley. There’s a history to almond blossoms in the Kashmir Valley which is fondly remembered by locals. The legend goes that Emperor Akbar desired to experience the spectacle of new blossoms. However, when he was scheduled to arrive in the Valley it was rightly perceived that the trees would not be in bloom. The locals came up with an idea. In a particular almond garden the trees were covered with snow at the root for a long time, thus disallowing the branches to blossom at springtime. When the Emperor was about to reach Kashmir the snow was removed and the trees blossomed.
Text by Nilosree Biswas ; Photos by Irfan Nabi