Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir

Tripoto

Late October to mid-November sees the autumn season in Kashmir. Locally known as harud.

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 1/8 by Kanj Saurav
Naseem Bagh, Srinagar

The leaves on the temperate deciduous trees in Kashmir, transform from green to various shades of red, yellow and orange before they finally shed off by the arrival of winter.

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 2/8 by Kanj Saurav
Somewhere near Hazrat Bal dargah

Chinar trees bring out the maximum drama with their hues. These trees were brought by Sufi saints in 1370s to Kashmir from Iran. Later, they were planted by the Mughals in the various gardens of Srinagar.

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 3/8 by Kanj Saurav
Chinar Bagh, Dal Gate

Apart from chinar, the native poplar, mulberry, chestnut, horse chestnut and willow appear in various shades of yellow before they shed all their leaves.

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 4/8 by Kanj Saurav
Aspen trees in Tangmarg

There is a narrow belt in which temperate trees are found in India. In the north, you can witness autumn in Kashmir, Ladakh, Lahaul, Gangotri belt and parts of Nainital and Munsiyari.

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 5/8 by Kanj Saurav
Poplar trees in Tangmarg

In the northeast, autumn colours can be witnessed in North Sikkim and parts of Arunachal.

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 6/8 by Kanj Saurav
Chinar trees in Nishat bagh

Additionally, Cherry blossom season also incurs in autumn in India, and barren, pink flower-laden trees can be seen in parts of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur.

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 7/8 by Kanj Saurav
Shalimar Bagh

The season is almost over, and you will have to wait for a year to witness something similar again

Photo of Harud: Colours of Autumn from Kashmir 8/8 by Kanj Saurav
Nishat Bagh