Latest news with #Amaltas
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Indian flowers that remind us of cherry blossoms
Move over, Japan! India boasts its own stunning floral display, rivaling cherry blossoms. Gulmohars paint cities red and orange, while Amaltas showers golden blooms. Jacarandas offer lavender hues, and Palash sets forests ablaze. Tabebuias create pink canopies, especially in Bangalore, and Kachnar adds delicate charm. Experience India's magical spring with these vibrant flowering trees. When we hear the words cherry blossoms, Japan's dainty sakura trees are the first thing that comes to mind. Little do we know, however, that India also has its own floral treasures that are as beautiful and enchanting as cherry blossoms. Here's a glimpse at some of India's most breathtaking flowering trees that look like cherry blossoms. Gulmohar Gulmohar is known as the Flame Tree or Royal Poinciana, and it is among the most beautiful flowering trees of Indian urban areas. Its blood-red-orange flowers come in late spring, blanketing whole canopies and streets below with golden colors. Gulmohar trees are found right across India, from Delhi and Pune to Chennai and Kolkata. South Mumbai and Bangalore roads turn into blazing red channels during May and June. In Pondicherry, tree-lined roads remain abuzz with their colorful spectacle. Amaltas The Golden Shower Tree is a real summer pageant, which comes alive with long clusters of golden yellow blooms. They hang in a radiant chandelier and are believed to be auspicious in Indian mythology. Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jaipur are particularly renowned for having amaltas-lined roads. In South India, there is a sight to behold in Mysuru and Bengaluru. The best time is most often from late April to June. Jacaranda Popularly known as the "Neeli Gulmohar" or Blue Gulmohar, Jacaranda trees charm passersby with their lavender-blue trumpet-shaped flowers. Though less obvious than Gulmohar, they add a peaceful, ethereal touch to the cityscape. Bengaluru's Cubbon Park and Delhi's Lodhi Garden are top spots to see jacaranda in bloom, typically from March to May. You'll also find them in Shimla, Dehradun, and Mussoorie, where their color pops beautifully against the hills. Palaash A riot of reddish-orange flowers, the Palaash trees bloom in early spring. These flowers are referred to as Jungle ki Aag (fire of the forest) and bloom even before the leaves appear, giving the trees the appearance of being on fire. You will spot thick groves of palash in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh forests are among the best spots to see them ablaze in February and March. Tabebuia Tabebuia trees, although South American in origin, have done wonderfully well on Indian soil. Their soft pink trumpet-shaped flowers are so dainty and striking that they are confused with cherry blossoms. Bengaluru is India's virtual "sakura capital," with roads like Cubbon Road and Lalbagh Park going soft pink during spring. Kerala's Trivandrum and Kochi, too, have pleasant avenues bordered by these trees, especially during February and March. Kachnar Kachnar trees embellish the Indian spring with orchid-like, pink, purple, and white flowers. The flowers are dainty, scented, and in clusters, adding poise to gardens and boulevards. Look out for Kachnar flowering from February to March in Delhi's parks, lakefront spots in Bhopal, and Lucknow's roads. It grows in Sikkim and the Himalayan foothills too, where it blends in with the natural surroundings. So the next time you yearn for cherry blossoms but can't make it to Japan, simply drive to your local park or botanical garden during spring or early summer. India's own floral wonders provide an equally magical experience. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Nature's gold rush: PAU walkway lit by Amaltas bloom
Ludhiana: Poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi, in his celebrated work 'Loona', wrote: "Eh rukh jo amaltas de, peela maaran bha, eon jaapan gagan khudhalie joen sona pighal gya, ya dharat kudi de kann da koi bunda dig pya. ..(These trees of amaltas, swathed in yellow, appear as though molten gold has spilled from the skies, or a jewel has fallen from the ear of a girl of the earth)" Right now, the amaltas trees — Cassia fistula — are in full bloom, painting the landscape in radiant shades of yellow. At the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the lane lined with these trees is shimmering with a golden glow. Their long, arching branches are heavy with cascading clusters of blossoms. The flowers fall like golden rain, softly carpeting the ground beneath in a luminous yellow blanket. The lane before the one leading to the Museum of Social History has transformed into a sight of yellow gold making passersby stop by or slow down to devour the beauty. Rows of Amaltas trees on the land named after the tree, Amaltas Marg, also paint the scene with the delightful yellow gleams. The trees can also be spotted at other places on the campus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Mandeep Kaur, a student, said, "It's like the trees decided to celebrate something," she says. Students were seen walking by and clicking photos and selfies clicked. Others were sitting quietly, overwhelmed by the peacefulness. "Though I don't come up to this far during my evening walk in the university, but during this time of the year, I don't miss soaking in and embracing the spectacle unleashed by nature," Komalpreet, a resident said. "I would say that municipal corporation should also plant these trees across several lanes so that during this time of the year, people can enjoy the beauty of these trees," she added. By June, the flowers will fall, the green will return, and the 'golden lane' will rest again, a staff member at the university said. One of the students taking selfies in the yellow backdrop said, "During March-April spring my sister studying in Canada sends her pictures of cherry blossoms trees and during this time, I send her pictures of Amaltas." Environmentalist Brij Mohan Bhardwaj, who is a horticulture expert and has conducted tree cover surveys says, most of the trees including those of Amaltas were planted under the guidance of M S Randhawa, former vice-chancellor at PAU. It was his vision, and several lanes were named after trees including the Amaltas Marg, he said. Prior to that, Randhawa was the first administrator of Chandigarh, he played a crucial role in the city's landscaping and selection of trees. A road with the same name Amaltas Marg lined with Amaltas trees in Chandigarh, was likely, named so in his guidance. Amaltas, also known as Golden Shower or Indian Laburnum, is a deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is a popular tree in India, known for its beautiful yellow flowers and its use in traditional medicine. Amaltas is a moderate-sized tree, typically reaching 9-10 meters in height.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
A midsummer delight's dream
It's the month when even the Sun blushes green with envy. It's the season of Cannes, cricket and canary chandeliers. Come June, and it lights up our lives with golden 'chandeliers'. Chandeliers that screen us from the fierce June sun. Chandeliers that almost outshine the dazzle of the ripe summer sun. Amaltas, ahoy! What the golden Daffodils are to William Wordsworth, the Amaltas is perhaps to the desi poetic pen. Childhood meant growing up with different sort of sun screens in summer. Sun screens that had nothing to do with chemicals and commercials. Summers that had nothing to do with stocks and stocks of sun screens. Rather, summers that had everything to do with stalks and stalks of sun screens. Sun screens that had everything to do with Mother Nature's caps that were a canary yellow. Caps that boasted fashionable fascinators. Wispy, whispering fascinators of a pale leafy green or bough brownness. Fascinators that sometimes stuck their neck out like a dowager Duchess dripping diamonds. Fascinators that sometimes turned up their noses over the canary-coloured cap like a snooty senorita serenading the Cannes carpet. Childhood meant levitating on lean Lunas or puffing 'n' pedalling on Atlas cycles to convent campuses with Mother Nature's sun screens shading us along avenues of abundance in our 'City Beautiful'. Adulthood, alas, spelt a goodbye to Atlas cycles and much else, ushering in instead another sight on those avenues to compare with that canvas of canary. The canary canopies over the roads rivalled later by a different splash of yellow on the roads. The new-age Nano, driving in dressed in hell of a yellow. The nouveau Nano came nearest to resonating and strutting that signature goldenness of the Amaltas on the streets. Ah, not to forget the iconic 'peeli' Ambassadors, majestic predecessors to the humble Nano. The loud yellow Amby, a pop culture emblem, a sight so synonymous with the streets of Kolkata. The ample 'Ambys' indeed quite mirrored and matched the riot of yellow unfurled on the streets by summer's showstopper Amaltas. Childhood was made up of this jugalbandi of 'pop' palettes of parrot yellowness. Adulthood, alas, saw a passing into the attics of archival memory of the peeli Amby, as also the short-lived Nano. What endures on summer's canvas of canary is that canopied czar. Abiding, alluring Amaltas. Colours of Cannes Those street palettes now find a resonance more in IPL stadia. In the canary coloured jerseys of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). It's another story that the CSK fortunes resemble more those of Trump's torpedoed tariffs. Summer spells much colour for cinephiles, too. Literally and figuratively. It was a moment as golden as a summer sun dabbed with glitter blusher when Satyajit Ray's iconic film 'Aranyer Din Ratri', in its restored avatar, received a standing ovation at Cannes. Nothing could be more symbolic of summer's return to colour than this milestone moment. After the bloody palettes of early May, that resonated more the raging red of the Gulmohar, riding Operation Sindoor, midsummer has seen a 4K restoration of Ray's 1970 classic, an initiative led by Wes Anderson. Midsummer thus spells a return to all that is golden. Cinema. Canopies. Childhood memories. The curious case of 'All That Glitters Is (B)old Gold'. June heralds its own riot of colours that rule the streets to stadia chetnakeer@
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Imperfect tree's perfect lesson in beauty, grace
Chandigarh, the City Beautiful, is draped in resplendent hues these days. The vivid reds of the Gulmohar, the regal purples of the Jacaranda, and the golden pendants of the Amaltas create a breathtaking mosaic across the summer canvas. This scenic splendour is a true feast for the eyes, especially in the searing heat of the season. A quiet note of gratitude rises for the visionary MS Randhawa, the first chief commissioner of Chandigarh, whose meticulous planning and choice of tree plantations continue to bloom into poetic landscapes even today. One day, during a visit to my son's school, my gaze fell upon a humble canopy of trees, laden with delicate, fragrant blossoms in shades of white, pink, and violet. These soft petals, fallen onto the ground, greeted me with a floral carpet under the harsh summer sun, wrapping me in unexpected serenity. Their quiet grace was calming, a balm to the hurried soul. These small, sweet-smelling flowers belong to the Pongamia genus, commonly known as Papdi or Karanj. While we often marvel at the dramatic beauty of the Gulmohar, Cassia, and Jacaranda, we tend to overlook the subtle charm of these modest white blooms. Yet, that day, they seemed to whisper stories of their own. 'Do you not feel envious?' I imagined asking them, 'when people sing praises of the gracious Amaltas or the resplendent Gulmohar, yet never speak of you?' They smiled. 'We bloom not for attention,' they seemed to say, 'but for ourselves. Everything is beautiful, you just need the eyes to see it.' Their message was profound. These flowers carried no bitterness, no comparison. In their world, vibrant colours and plain whites coexist, complementing each other in a natural harmony that eludes many of us. Curious, I examined the tree more closely. It stood tall and proud, offering a cool breeze strong enough to wipe away my sweat. Upon inspecting its leaves, I noticed some unusual growths — galls caused by mites, as I later discovered. Yet, despite this imperfection, the tree stood dignified, undeterred by adversity. A member of the pea family, this tree serves many purposes: Its oil, wood, and medicinal properties are widely valued. Its leaves enrich the soil, making it ideal for erosion control and conservation. Beyond its practical uses, it offers a quiet lesson — a reflection of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the art of finding beauty in imperfection. This imperfect tree, flourishing with blemished leaves, taught me that nothing in life is truly perfect, and that's where the beauty lies. It reminded me that everyone, no matter how overlooked or seemingly simple, has a unique role in the grand tapestry of the universe. That day, the Pongamia tree stirred something deep within. It urged me to let go of negative emotions, to celebrate diversity, and to find peace amid the chaos of modern life. Those soft white pinkish flowers, so often ignored, had become for me a symbol of simplicity, grace, and quiet strength. To me, they are now the embodiment of simple living — flawed, yet beautiful. Perfectly imperfect. ranjugulatidav@ The writer is an assistant professor of botany at DAV College, Chandigarh.
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
12k flowering saplings to be planted at central Ridge
New Delhi: Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department plans to beautify the forest stretch along Sardar Patel Marg by planting 12,000 flowering trees and shrubs. Around the Central Ridge near the Sardar Patel Marg boundary, 1,200 each of Amaltas, Queen's Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa), and Rosy Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia rosea) will be planted, along with approximately 8,400 bougainvillea shrubs. Saplings, 10–12 feet tall, will be planted during the upcoming monsoon, with flowers expected from next year. A senior forest official said, "We aim to enhance the forest area along Sardar Patel Marg with native flowering species to improve its visual appeal. A tender has been floated, and plantation will begin in the monsoon." Earlier attempts to grow Chinar and Cherry blossom trees here failed. These were planted near SP Marg ahead of the G20 summit, anticipating the route would be used by delegates and VIPs, but both species did not survive. Delhi's ridges include northern, central, south-central, and southern ridge, spanning a total of around 7,777 hectares. The southern ridge is the largest at 6,200 hectares, followed by central ridge (864 ha), south-central ridge (626 ha), and northern ridge (87 ha). TNN
