Shalimar Bagh (Garden)
Lahore ...
“How much I love thee, let me count the ways......”
Spring
Spring is the best time in Lahore. When warmth of the day is pleasant, blue sky and light breeze accentuate the blooming blossoms of the season. Colours of the nature get so luscious that painter just wishes to dip his brush in the warm melting hues of nature's palet and create an art piece in which all the shades are only created by God.....
While colours dazzle you the sweet perfume of the flowers tease your senses. Breeze gets ever so light that scent of the nature hangs in the air, pure smell of the wet earth mingled with the sensuous scent of the roses is the feast for the human senses.
No wonder love is in the air....God’s love for his mankind. Everyone can feel it, appreciate it and admire it.....one memory of Lahore which I treasure.....
Heat...
Heat rise and fall like a high fever in Lahore. It continues rising till the andhi tries to cool it down and afterwards it rise again never backing as if it’s essential to raise temperature of the city just to kill the diseases it is infected with..... Nature’s way to clean the air. After the heat scorched the land, heavy showers cool it down, similar to what humans do to subside the high fever. Dampness and numbness follows......afterwards this purgatory procedure the land is left healthy and fresh.
Summer means it’s time to bake the king of fruits. Mango the sweet delight comes with the grandeur in market that it seems obligatory for every cart to be piled up with this amazing yellow fruit. So syrupy and sweet that mouth waters without even tasting it. A gift again from god for all those who can notice the small wonders he bestows on mankind. When the heat burns he give us a taste from heaven reminding us that everything is there for a reason.....heat is blessing.
Fall...
Autumn is windy, mild and dry.... greenery starts to pass away; natural phenomena life gives way to death. It’s the twilight time of the year when one season is giving way to another one. Sombre and beautiful ... leaves turn into orange crisp dead heap on the ground, ready to be buried and decay.... to become one with the soil which nourishes it at first place.
Winds blow so strong, swirling clouds of dust with it and stripping the trees barren with the little foliage clinging to its branches. Sweeping away the reminders of the former season...but spreading of its own in its wake. The grounds look like rich tapestry of orange, yellow and green shades mingled and dispersed in interesting patterns. Winds cool the temperature down...so human change the same way, anxiety and anger gives way to calmness and tamed temperaments.
Inventory is done of the clothing and of rations storing away the last season’s essentials and making space for the upcoming cold weather. It’s twilight for everyone... a change in which everything and everyone bid farewell to heat and awaits the chilling comforts of the winter.... it is the perfect expression of the sweet blend of sorrow and joy..... A message from the God, nothing stays forever.....
Cold...
Mist, chill and shadows cast the city in its magic at the end of the year. The blanket of fog floats in the air, entwining playfully with the dark branches of the barren trees. It looks magical, mysterious and solemn... certainly it’s the time to contemplate what we have done all year round, to let the self assessment hover like the fog on the mind’s landscape where everything has to be left barren to be judged and assessed...
It’s also the time in Lahore to gather and to enjoy the warmth of human companionship at home and out in parties and gala’s.... a season of nightly festivities. People enjoy huddling together in front of heaters, eating popcorn, drinking coffee and enjoying a family show or a movie....and some like to gather around a huge bonfire and listen and dance on the tunes of latest songs. Concerts and bonfire parties ring the night air of Lahore, while nature plays its own music....when everything is quiet one can hear the song of the cricket and the whispers of the wind, soothing and comforting, a lullaby for the keen ears to hear and enjoy.
Winters meant for hibernation, ants hibernate so do humans...hiding in a hole and preserving the energy to rejuvenate for the coming New Year. A time to rest and to make plans for the future...
