T. N. Hangloo
With the advent of spring in the land of Kashmir every thing right from a mote to mountain gets breathtakingly draped in the spectrum of amazing beauty when at the very outset of it, Tulip smilingly forges a head, the most.
An overall charming spell of the area around famous Dal-Lake has inspired a poet to compose following verse.
“SUBHA DAR BAGHA NISHAT O
SHAM DAR BAGHA NASEM
SHALIMAR O LAL-ZAR O SARI-I
KASHMIR AST U BAS”
Morning at Nishat Bagh and evening at Nasem Bagh-Shalimar and Tulip terraces/fields.
These are the places of excursion in Kashmir and none else. Emperor Jehangir primarily an alien to Kashmir labouring for a gasp of last breath at his death bed when asked about his last wish murmured “Kashmir” and nothing else.
“Az Shah-i-Jehangir dame naza chu justand,
Ba khwahish-i-dil guft ki Kashmir digar hitch”
Flaming scarlet, pink, yellow, orange, white, pink lotus like blossoms of tulips have indeed outclassed every thing thereby purloining the march in glamorous glory of the garden valley, in general and bounteous crescent of the Dal-Lake in particular.
A Thousand years old ancient relic of Reshi era-the Tulip a bell shaped flower which had almost all vanished in the mists of antiquity with the vagaries of time till recent past that pierced the veil of time in its glorified bid of resurrection with the inauguration of Tulip garden by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.
For that matter it has been Sheldrake’s feather in his turban as well. Thus did come into existence Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, located in the picturesque foot hills of Zabervan around Chasma shahi (also known as Chashma Sahibi after spiritual saint Roop Bhawani meditated here for some time). Nehru Botanical garden laid skillfully by Prof. K.N. Koul, is quite nearby. Opposite to Tulip garden is soft translucent shimmering expanse of water body-the famous Dal-Lake flanked by locations rather holy-precincts, purlieus area of Shankeracharya, Goddess Hari the presiding deity at Hari Parbat, Hazratbal shrine, Makdum Sahib Shrine , Guft Ganga (built by Sandhimati 69-22 BC) besides Oberoi , Hari Palace, Karan Palace, Nishat , Shalimar, Pari Mahal, Harishewar and many viewpoints around the stretch of Boulevard. Of late, the additional grandeur of Hotel Taj-Vivanta has also an elegance and splendor befitting the area.
It is held that in nature, the spirit of garden paradise hides in the combine of countryside landscapes, éclat flowers, lush green grass, lusciously laden fruit orchards, tree clusters, groves, valley of glens dales and vales, mountainous ridges, gushing springs, streams, brooks, glittering waters, rivulets and cascading water falls not to speak of velvety green grass beneath grapevines twining all along-reminding cordon culture.
The area exposed to bright sunshine also remains overseen from time to time by sailing clouds, drizzle, spring and summer downpours besides white snow cover in winters. The above scenario goes in the company of golden dust sunset verdant splendor around Mahadev peek and other adjoining zigzag craggy massifs that make the area wear a semblance of fairy land. Nature always seems to have a comprehensive plan and the same is manifested here. The poets get often intriguingly fascinated from time to time to spin several yarns beckoned by the nature and flower gardens in particular who beautifully imagine and then effusively compose poetic literacy galore in the famous song cycles hummed in lilting tones often followed by singing in melodiously lulling mellifluous and dulcet voices and tones.
We have known that Parversen II the founder of Srinagar city had built a villa on the edge of Dal-Lake, calling it ‘Shalimar’- abode of love in Sanskrit.
This was used by the selfsame King for taking rest on his to and fro visits to his Guru-saint Sukram Swami (79-139 AD) near Harwan. The villa with the fleeting of time disappeared and a village -‘shalimar’ sprang up. Mughal Kings/Governors having had tremendously great and fascinating taste exploited locations that attracted their eyes for awesome and monumental creations, the account of which is historical itself. Nehru Park and Hotel Centaur are also post independence additions.
The Tulips here with swirling dalliance far excel the Japanese Ikebane.
Kashmir in general and this area in particular has rightly merited the following ever green couplet.
“AGGAR FIRDOUS BAR RUE ZAMIN AST
HAMIN ASTO HAMIN ASTO HAMIN ASTO”
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