Srinagar: In Kashmir, spring throws up many surprises. Srinagar's old cultural and heritage trove, the badamwari or the almond park is in full bloom and is drawing crowds including Holi revelers.
The creamy petals shining against the blue sky and the 18th century imposing Afghan fort, the flowery sidewalks, walking spaces and creative stonework make spring grand and beautiful in Kashmir. The famous badamwari fair which got a miss, may soon be revived.
"When I used to come here with my parents, we would pour from the samovars and eat fruits crushing them with stones (sangade) . We would enjoy music, sufiana and charki (folk theatre) and people would wrestle here. It was the beginning of the spring," said Historian, Zarief Ahmad Zarief.
It's a major picnic attraction, the 35 acre park is attracting families, children as never before. And a group from West Bengal think the place is ideal for celebrating the festival of colours.
"It is a beautiful place, it's very colourful," said a Bengal tourist .
Spread over several acres, the park was laid by the Jammu and Kashmir bank for only Rs 4 crore. The bank officials say it is a gift to the people of downtown city where there are fewer green lungs for leisure.
The almond bloom best describes the arrival of spring in Kashmir and along with this, it brings a whiff of fresh and pleasant air to Kashmir.
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