MASROOR AHMAD
SRINAGAR: With the arrival of spring in Kashmir, almond trees are the first fruit trees to flower in the early months of spring. White and pink flowers with a unique fragrance attract the nature lovers and visitors from across the country.
The pink and white flowers on the almond trees are no less than a floral wonderland. And there are thousands of almond trees in Srinagar city’s famous ‘Badamwari’- Almond Garden, which are blooming and ready to welcome tourists as well as locals.
The gardens of the Valley are finally turning into colourful palettes with almond and cherry blossoms. And thousands of tourists are thronging the Valley only to witness these beautiful visuals. These are the first flowers to bloom in a season and Badamwari Garden located at the foothills of Kohi-Maraan mountain on 300 Kanals of land has more than 1000 almond trees.
”I came to know about almond blossoms from our local guide, they recommended this place, we didn’t know that there is Japanese cherry blossom in India, and we would get to see it. We thought it would be one or two trees but it’s the whole garden, It’s such a beautiful spot, I think everyone would be amazed. Kashmir has been a beautiful surprise for me. We really didn’t plan but since spring is a lovely time to visit and everyone here is so genuine and hospitable. We are extremely happy with our visit to the Valley,” said a tourist.
A huge number of locals as well as the tourists are arriving at the Almond Garden. The social media sites are already filled with pictures of the Badamwari. The administration is hoping that all the previous records of tourist arrivals would be broken this spring. The tourists already in the Valley are enjoying the view of the bloom.
”This is my first visit to Kashmir and I don’t want to leave this beautiful place. It has been two months since I came here, I fell in love with Kashmir. And it is not only Kashmir but the people here are beautiful. The people of the Valley have a golden heart and great culture, Kashmir is more beautiful than any other part of the world, ” a tourist said.
The Tourism Department is planning to celebrate the full spring season across the various gardens of the Srinagar City. The festival will start from Badamwari as almond flowers are first to bloom.
Officials of the Floriculture Department Kashmir said the garden will be in its full glory in a couple of days and will witness full bloom. He said the tourists have already started thronging the place and they are hopeful of having a jam packed spring season in Badamwari this year too.
“As of now only 50 percent of almond trees are in bloom but in a few days the garden will witness complete bloom. Apart from almonds, different varieties of flowers are also present which make the garden more breathtaking and colourful,” he added.
