By Sareha Shah
Special to The Times Kuwait
It is that time of the year when I miss my home even more. Kashmir is preparing to bid an adieu to summer and welcome harsh cold winter. In between there is autumn, ‘Harod’ as it is famously called back home.
Autumn is an interesting season in Kashmir valley. It is neither too hot nor too cold. There is a nip in the air during mornings and evenings. Days are pleasant and warm which makes it the most beautiful season for long drives and picnics. People seek comfort in warm weather, overnight camping at hill-resorts are common throughout autumn. Long walks are rejuvenating; enjoying ‘Noon-chai’ (Kashmiri tea) in the parks and Mughal gardens in the evening is a common sight in the course of autumn.
Autumn is often called the ‘Golden’ season in Kashmir. Trees shed leaves during this season everywhere in the world, but in Kashmir it is even more special. The reason being chinar trees. The fallen maple-shaped chinar leaves turn almost every inch of barren land golden. It is spectacular to watch golden leaves cover the vast ground as if one is looking at a golden land.
Chinar trees, or ‘Booyen’ as it is called in Kashmir, is an integral part of Kashmir’s landscape. This majestic tree is believed to have been brought from Persia to Kashmir in 1374 AD and is often called ‘Royal tree’ of Kashmir. It is illegal to cut down chinar trees over there; such is the importance of this tree. Overall, all hues of yellow, golden, crimson and orange are visible throughout autumn in Kashmir. The rustling of crisp chinar leaves adds music to the scene; it is a beauty beyond words. My soul is wedded to this season when it comes to spending autumn at my place in Kashmir.
People often say that autumn is a preparation for winter and rightly so. Long forgotten woolens, blankets, phirans (traditional winter dress of Kashmir) come out of closets. People shop for clothes, shoes, shawls, coats and jackets for the coming winter. Kangris (an earthen fire-pot covered with willow wicker around) and charcoal are stocked for winter. ‘Hokh-suen’ — dried vegetables are prepared in anticipation of winter. Not just people, nature also prepares. It is just enchanting to witness mountains changing color; streams and rivers lowering their water flow; gardens turning yellow — all in preparation for winter.
Kashmir sees a huge footfall of tourists during winters, but people who cannot bear extreme cold weather visit Kashmir during autumn. Due to pleasant weather and golden chinar leaves, many tourists prefer this season over winter and spring. People prefer to stay in houseboats and long shikara (Flat-bottomed boat) rides are more common during autumn.
This season is not just picturesque, natives are also usually busy in this season with harvesting, as the world famous Kashmiri saffron is harvested during this period. Saffron crops reach their zenith in autumn and are harvested in late October and early December. This purple gold is regarded as one of the finest quality saffrons in the world and is in huge demand in the international market.
Another important harvesting which marks the beginning of autumn in the valley is paddy harvesting. People in rural areas harvest paddy during this season. This makes storage of food grains for the winter season easy. The sight of purple saffron fields and vast golden ripe paddy fields at the onset of autumn is incredibly charming. With the progress of autumn these crops are harvested and fields present a busy look. By the end of autumn fields are barren as if the season took away its gorgeousness with it.
Overall, autumn in Kashmir is a wonderful experience. It is like living a dream. Colorful, pleasant, enjoyable; it is a mix of sunshine and cold. Spending autumn in Kashmir is the best way to end a year and the scenic season never fails to leave you amazed. Experiencing autumn in Kashmir changes the usual definition of autumn as a dead and dull season; as they say, one autumn in Kashmir valley is a lifetime experience.
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