“Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.”
– John Harrigan
Flowers of Kashmir – An Instagram Roundup
A road trip from Srinagar to Manali through Leh is a visual treat. Everyone who’s done it will vouch for it, and the rest will dream on and hope to visit this paradise on earth someday. A definitive once-in-a-lifetime experience on all counts.
We already know of the majestic mountain views, the valleys, the highest motorable passes, mountain streams and rivers, and the coldest desert on earth. What gets missed in all this is the mountain flora. The tiny blossoms that carpet these valleys wherever they can, nature’s palette that lends colour to the landscape. They are everywhere. In small rock crevices, pasturelands, riverbanks, yet most ignored!
While on a trip here in 2016, these flowers caught my fancy, and I shared them on Instagram as a tribute. As a travel enthusiast today, it is with great pride I share those Instagram shots as a round-up here.
Nature’s Palette
Lilies are a common species which grow through bulbs and flower through mid-summer. White is the predominant colour but like humans, lilies like to wear stripes too. Tiger Lily, a variety found across Russia, Japan, and Tibet, blooms in a similar environment in Kashmir too.
Yellow Queen is another name for the Golden Columbine courtesy the spurs giving the effect of a trailing robe. Cultivated across Kashmir for its pretty blooms, it finds its way into the decor.
Hydrangeas mean water vessels in Greek. These delicate flowers are native to Eastern Asia and the Himalayas. The Japanese and Koreans use some varieties of Hydrangea as a tea brew, although they are ornamental.
Nasturtiums are edible flowers in bright orange, red, and yellow. We also use their leaves as micro herbs in salads. Packed with nutrients, they make for excellent garnishes.
Anemone, the species of flowers also called windflower, has an interesting story about its name. The legend goes that by sprinkling nectar on the blood of Adonis, Goddess Venus created the plant. The name windflower refers to the delicate nature of the petals that get blown away by a gust of wind.
Roses! The pride of Mughals and the most admired flower in Indian culture. The range of colours and textures and petal arrangements in roses have given them exotic names such as Cherry Parfait, Falstaff, Baroness Rothschild, and more. The scents are heady too.
Gorgeous, aren’t they! Next time you travel, don’t forget to admire and capture these quintessential beauties.
