The enchanting spring in the hills

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The enchanting spring in the hills

The revered  flower of the  Kumaon  hills - Rhododendron - a flower that is the symbol of spring

 As I had described in my previous blog regarding the harsh winters, as a first-hand experience, having had the good luck of experiencing all the seasons in the hills of the sub-Himalayan regions.  As the harsh winters withdraw gradually, there is a feeling of deja-vu all around in the hills, as the life stirs up afresh.  The long closed roads start opening up, coupled with the days getting more sunshine and warmth.  However, the most spectacular dispensation is the bursting forth of the still leafless stone fruit trees with flowers in their thousands, painting the entire landscape in pinks, whites and all other hues.  It is a spectacle that is to be seen in person to imbue its beauty and is known as ‘Cherry blossom’ all around the world. 

The cherry blossom season in Japan - courtesy National Geographic from internet

A festival associated with the heralding of spring season is held in the first day of Chitra month, known as the ‘Phool dei festival’.  There is something very fascinating and unique about this festival of flowers that is held during the springtime. On this day, young girls carry out most of the rituals and they are the most eager participants. In some places though, this festival is like a carnival and the celebrations go on throughout the month. Dei, a special ceremonial pudding made of Jaggery (gur), white flour and curd is offered to everyone.  During the festivity, the young girls pluck the first flowers of the season. They not only scatter these flowers in front of their own doorsteps but also at the doorsteps of the other villagers. It is believed that these flowers are the indications of good luck.  Little girls and boys go to every house in their village with plates full of rice, jaggery, coconut, green leaves and assortment of flowers that are aplenty during season.   The girls place flowers, rice and jiggery at the doorsteps of houses they visit, thereby putting forward their good wishes for the prosperity of the household and are given blessings and presents like sweets, fresh jiggery, rice and money in return. The girls shower   flowers and rice on the doorsteps while singing the following chant :

Phool Dei, Chamma Dei

Deno Dwar, Bhur Bhakar

Vo Dei Sei Namashkar, Puje Dwar

Representative images of the festivities - taken from the internet

 Cultural experts have linked this festival to that of Romans in which people used to mark the festival of flowers in the name of their deity Flora. The celebration of Phool Dei in the Kumaon region has been linked to the ancient Romans’ festival of flowers by Y.D.  Vaishnav in his book on Uttarakhand’s culture.

Here is an attempt to bring to my readers (through photographic presentation) of the spectacle the unfolds in the hills during the spring season –

Spring time bloom - Pear flowers

Spring time bloom - Plum  flowers

Spring time bloom - Pear flowers

Spring time bloom - Apricot  flowers

Spring time bloom -Apple  flowers

Spring time bloom - Pear flowers

Spring time bloom - Apple  flowers

Spring time bloom - flowers just beginning to bloom

Spring time bloom - Plum flowers

Spring time bloom - flowers shot in 1990's

Spring time bloom - Peach flowers - shot in 1990's

The enchanting winters in the hills

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The enchanting winters in the hills

After fresh snowfall the mountainsides are covered with snow

As I had described in my previous blog regarding the monsoon season in the hills and that I have had the opportunity to experience all the seasons in the hills of the sub-Himalayan regions.  As monsoon has an overall soothing affect overall, albeit the incidents of cloud burst here and there, which is rather an exception than being a rule.  The winters, with its snowfall, brings in a sense of serenity into the hills.  The winters are harsh and most difficult period of the year for those residing in the hills.  Whereas, the autumn season that is the transitional phase, between monsoons and winters, heralds in a pleasant season in the plains, as the heat subsides gradually, on the other hand the same transitional phase ushers in the winters in the hills.  Starting with end September, as the monsoon retreats, it brings in snowfall in the higher reaches and the gradual drop in temperatures.  During earlier times, by the end of October, heavy woollens were out and if the weather remained inclement, even fireplaces or angithis (a Hindi word meaning - a traditional brazier) were lit in the houses.  Winters being harsh for persons living in the hills & mountains, as it is a period when there is no local commodities are available and at times not even accessible.  Everything has to be stored up for the harsh winter months and disruption of water (due to freezing of sources/pipes) supply and electricity (after snowstorms) are a common norm.  As the winters approach, the trees start shedding their leaves (in autumn) and the entire landscape appears as scorched brown.  However, after the snowfall, everything is covered under a blanket of white snow, providing for a surreal atmosphere that is a treat for the eyes of the occasional visitors from the plains below.  This snowfall is essential for the stone fruits like peaches and plums etc. and almost like a manure for their plentiful yield in the summers.  Here are some poignant and embellishing photographs displaying the many moods of winters in the hills -

After the fall season, the hills attain a burnt brownish hue

After fresh snow in Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1950's (photograph shot by my father Late J.N. Roy Biswas)

Photograph of 1980's of the same spot (scanned image*)

Photograph of 1980's of Kasauli bus stand (scanned image*)

Photograph of 1980's of Kasauli Church (scanned image*)

Getting some warmth from the blaze

The road less traveled in the winters

It is snowing up there

The tree tops covered after fresh bout of snow

Even birds face difficulty in foraging for food during winters

It gets treacherous even to climb moderate slopes after the snowfall

The first to receive the snowfall are the higher reaches

Even vehicles slip in the snow, making movement difficult

Even foot roads get covered with slippery snow in winters, blocking one within his home

{(*Scanned image) - these photographs were purchased from the Shimla Studios in Kasauli by the author & copyrighted to avoid illegal further use.}

HERE IS REPRESENTATIVE VIDEO OF SNOWFALL IN THE HILLS -

Monsoons in Kumaon – a pictorial display of the mood

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Monsoons in Kumaon – a pictorial display of the mood

As the monsoon clouds drift across the valleys and the mountains

              I have had the privilege of growing up in the hills, having been born and brought up there and also having had my education up to the middle level, in one of the pristine hill stations of Himachal Pradesh.  The hills are a place where one can experience all the four full seasons, along with the two transitional seasons of Spring & Autumn, of the natural cycle of seasons.  Having now spent a better half of my life in the plains of Delhi, I can clearly distinguish the difference between the nature’s glories that spreads its splendour in the hills, as compared to some drab seasons of Delhi.  In the hills, one can distinguish the seasons distinctly.  Starting with Spring, which heralds in after the harsh winters, there is a nip in the air, but also a distinct feel good factor, as the day temperatures get steady and pleasant, accompanied by the same, with most of the stone fruit bearing trees being in full bloom, with flowers of different shades and hues covering the entire trees and creating an aura of pleasure and happiness all around.  After the gaiety Spring, comes in the summers that ushers in a feeling of gay abandon.  Gone are the heavy woollen clothing and as the days gete hotter and longer, but bearable and nights are short and sweet. After summers move in the monsoon season or the rainy season and as the clouds move in, one can experience the intensity of the rains, which is such that torrents flow through the roads, as if some seasonal rivulet has sprung forth.  This abundance of water paints forth all the hills in all green and it is one of the spectacular visual experiences that one can have amongst the four seasons, other than the winters that is also truly spectacular.  Although not a favourite season for the tourists and thus, only those who stay in the hills enjoy its beauty.  The present narration is a pictorial depiction of the spectacular scenery that unfolds in the hills during monsoons –

As the rain clouds loom over Ranikhet

The clouds stretch from the plains to the hills - view of Kosi River along Corbett

Tufts of clouds lay scattered across the Ranikhet valley

Clouds drifting in the Nainital valley

Cloud cover all across - view from Bhatrochkhan

A panoramic view of the cloud filled valleys on Naintial

View of the river valley near Garampani in Naintial district

Cloud cover has just lifted - Nainital hills from Bhimtal road

A tuft of cloud suspended mid air - Nainital hills from Bhimtal road

Just after a fresh bout of rain, as the clouds part - view of Ranikhet hills from Timila village

As the clouds envelope - view of Nainital hills from road to Khairna

As the veil of clouds part, some village homes become visible again - shot from Timila village

After fresh shower of rain everything around is dripping with pure water

After a fresh bout of rains, even the grass collect some water

As the monsoon clouds loom large - shot on way to Almora

Just after a bout of rain, the cloud cover clears over Almora

How green is my valley - monsoon green - view from Bhowali village

As the rain clouds drift in - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Panoramic view of the rain clouds drifting - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

As the rain clouds envelopes the valleys - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

As the clouds hug the hill sides - - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Rain clouds nestled in the hills & valleys - - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Another view of the rain clouds enveloping the valleys - - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Rain drops like diamonds scattered on leaves after rain

As the clouds descend upon the Bhimtal lake

             I will follow up this blog with similar pictorial depictions of the other seasons in the hills, in my ensuing blogs, to bring out the distinctiveness of the six seasons that one experiences in the hills.