Almond Blossom in Kashmir

The beauty of Kashmir, the paradise on Earth is particularly heightened during spring season. The enchanting scenario is commenced with the blossom of thousands of almond trees especially on the hillsides that present a surreal blanket of white and pink in the majestic mountainous landscape. The arrival of these flowers indicates the departure of winter and the arrival of spring that attracts tourists worldwide. The enchanting blossom of almond flowers, Badam Fulai in Kashmiri, the first to bloom add a strange aroma to the spring there. The other flowers worth a mention that lend a special charm to the beauty of spring are the Kashmir Daffodils (Yamberzal) besides Virkem and Tenkebatne. Here I’d like to quote a beautiful Kashmiri couplet by the famous Kashmir poet Mahjoor eulogizing these flowers of Spring---
Virkem te tenke batney sule aai jay ratney,
Laeg toer jame tsatney, Gushan wattan chu sonuy
(The two early spring flowers came very early to take their place in the spring while on looking at them the other flowers yet underway to bloom began tearing off their garments to take their lead. Our beautiful country is a garden of flowers.)
Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar on the auspicious occasion of Nau-Reh (New-Year day according to the Bikrami Calender) used to greet New-Year by having a ceremonial picnic to Badam Vaer, near Srinagar where thousands of Almond trees are in full bloom. This year Nav-Reh falls on March 27 and we remember our past excursions on this day to beautiful spots especially around Almond trees in blossom.
The spring in Kashmir has its own charm with valleys and hillsides, gardens and meadows coming to new life after a long harsh winter. The Mughal Gardens near Srinagar are opened for visitors and people including tourists from outside valley visit in large numbers. The world renowned tourist resorts, Gulmarg and Pahalgam wear a festive look with hordes of people enjoying the fresh natural beauty after being almost indoors for the whole long chilly winter. There is no equal to the natural beauty of Kashmir and words fail to describe the natural scenery not only of spring but equally of autumn, summer and not at all to speak about the beauty of winter in Kashmir.