In Frames: Saffron Fields Return to Bloom in Kashmir
by News Desk
Mehran Bhat
Saffron- The Red Gold, locally known as (Kong) is said to be brought to Kashmir by the Persian rulers around 500 B.C. However according to the locals , Saffron was brought to the region by two Sufi Saints, Khawaja Masood Wali (r.a) and Sheikh Sharif-u-Din Wali (r.a) between 11th and 12th centuries.
Kashmir’s saffron is famous all over the world for its quality.
Pampore, which is situated at a distance of 11 Kilometres from Srinagar, is known for its top quality Saffron.
The best time to visit the Saffron fields is from October end to mid November when the saffron flowers are in full bloom and ready for harvesting.
The Saffron fields give a beautiful look these days and local as well as tourists throng to these fields in Pampore to enjoy their beauty. Image – Mehran Bhat for The KashmiriyatSaffron has different uses around the globe. Image – Mehran Bhat for The KashmiriyatSaffron is used as a spice in food and as a flavoring agent. In manufacturing, Saffron extracts are used as fragrance in perfumes and as dye for clothes. Image – Mehran Bhat for The KashmiriyatSaffron is also an essential ingredient in Traditional Kashmiri Kehwa. Image – Mehran Bhat for The KashmiriyatNowadays, Saffron fields give a gloomy look as there has been a decline in the cultivation and production of the crop from past few years. Image – Mehran Bhat for The Kashmiriyat
