Jammu and Kashmir
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Pahalgam in Autumn: Harud and the colours of Chinar
If you have read my last post on Srinagar in Autumn, you would know the context. Still for the new readers, here is some orientation. Autumn is known as harud in Kashmir. It is the season of change. It is when the state tree of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in India changes the colour of its leaves. From green it turns amber. Then the amber gives way to a fiery red shade. It is very dicey to catch them in action. The popular consensus is that Chinars came to Kashmir from Greece. Kashmiris call Chinars “bouin”. The tree is extensively found in Central Asia. Felling of chinars…
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Srinagar in Autumn: Harud and the Chinars
‘Harud’ is what the Kashmiris call the season of autumn. It captures a special place in the hearts of the residents. The Chinar tree is the state tree of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Tall leafy chinars act as indicators of seasons. The trees become barren in winter. The leaves are green in summer. And during autumn the leaves turn amber before finally turning into a fiery red. Thus, almost every week of harud is a picture worth saving. Chinar is known as Bouin in the Kashmiri language. It is said that the tree was brought to Kashmir from Greece via Iran. I remember seeing chinars…
