Cherry blossom festival of Japan is well known. In Kashmir, it’s the almond blossom. Recently Kashmir celebrated its Spring festivities, informs Monika. Spring celebrates bounty and fertility and is celebrated in various parts of the world. An exclusive for Different Truths.

I’ve always loved the quote by Doug Larson, “Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.”

The refreshing smell of Spring, tells us that a new beginning is on the way. Naive buds bloom, fauna wakes up, earth after few months of indolence aims for liveliness again and breeze leaves the winter sting. Rivers and rivulets are overwhelmed by the melting snow on peaks.

The refreshing smell of Spring, tells us that a new beginning is on the way. Naive buds bloom, fauna wakes up, earth after few months of indolence aims for liveliness again and breeze leaves the winter sting. Rivers and rivulets are overwhelmed by the melting snow on peaks.

People with scientific acumen have a different astronomical explication of the word. Spring they define by the angle of Earth’s tilt towards Sun between the period of spring equinox and the summer solstice. Equinoxes,two in a year are peculiar days during the year when day and night are almost equal. The spring, or vernal, equinox occurs around March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere and around September 22 in the Southern Hemisphere. The air may lose its winter chill before the middle of March to May in the North of the equator or September though November in the South.

A Season of Rebirth

After being frozen for few months, earth becomes more benevolent and yielding. Spring rainfall succours the planting for better yields. After spending the winter in hibernation, animals and critters come out of their dreys and dens, while those animals and birdies that journeyed to warmer places, finally return. Spring is the time of fertility and arrivals. Life has an enigmatic fervour. Some animals deskin for a new camouflage.

Spring is the time of fertility and arrivals. Life has an enigmatic fervour. Some animals deskin for a new camouflage.

Spring, is an ideal time for farmers and gardeners  to plant their seeds.

A Time to Merry

Many cultures celebrate the onset of spring, the blossoming of nature or the rise of the vernal equinox.

In Japan, ‘Hanami’, the annual event of viewing the blossoming of cherry trees is breathtakingly beautiful. Jewish people celebrate ‘Passover’ for a week, honoring their ancestors freeing them from slavery to Egypt.

In Japan, ‘Hanami’, the annual event of viewing the blossoming of cherry trees is breathtakingly beautiful. Jewish people celebrate ‘Passover’ for a week, honoring their ancestors freeing them from slavery to Egypt.

Spring in Christian tradition is marked by ‘Easter’, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his win over physical death. Easter is believed to be derived from an older celebration of fertility and rebirth, the Celtic festival of ‘Ostara’.

Albania celebrates ‘Dita e Verës’ believed to have  pagan roots. prayers are offered to the Sun God for a prosperous year.

The Maypole dance, where pole symbolises the phallus – symbol of regeneration, is a folk festival in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany.

‘Mayday’ celebrations are popular in European countries. The Maypole dance,

where pole symbolises the phallus – symbol of regeneration, is a folk festival in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany.

India, a multi-ethnic country celebrates season of spring as an advent of prosperous year. Yugadi, Navroz, Navreh, Gudi-padwa, Puthandi, Baisakhi , Vishu , Pohela Baisakh, Pana Sankranti, to name a few colourful festivals are recognised as newness and harvest festivals. Holi, the festival of colors is also celebrated on the arrival of spring.

A Time to say Welcome

Winter makes it so onerous to say ‘Good morning’. Snuggling the comforters seems the best thing to do. But when spring shows up, gloom disappears. The bright blooms and bird songs overshadow the monotone.

But when spring shows up, gloom disappears. The bright blooms and bird songs overshadow the monotone.

Nature becomes a Yodeller till scorching summer sun arrives again.

To flaunt the vibrancy of this beautiful season, a poetic reference will never wither.

The full blooms that had been a shy sprout,
with a deeper blush of pink and red.
Only days before, have begun to unfurl;
telling us, winter has just end…

The gentle gust which we seldom feel,
unless it takes a halt and touch the petals’
Silken texture and scent cajole the breeze;
to convince us, Winter has just elapsed…

My fingers yearn.. to open the florets,
and see the beauty that’s blossoming inside.
But I know, it ain’t ready yet ; since
Nature has its own moment and a way…

A few more days of nurture and it would bloom…
in the zeal of dawn and spirit of dusk.
No more a diffident bud.. shall upraise its head;
enticing few bees and butterflies…

‘… because an exuberance is around,
when Spring is in the Air!’

 Photos sourced by the author