Srinagar, Nov 09 (HS): Autumn, known locally as “Harud”, is at its peak in the Kashmir Valley. Green leaves are turning yellow and red, and the ground carpeted with golden chinar leaves is drawing tourists in large numbers.

The chinar is at its most spectacular this time of year. Its leaves first turn yellow and then slowly take on a golden hue, and when they fall, they spread a golden carpet over the ground.

Places with plenty of chinar trees, such as Naseem Bagh on the Kashmir University campus, the Mughal Gardens, Sher Bagh and Achabal in Anantnag, are seeing an unusually heavy rush of local and non-local tourists these days. Visitors are soaking in the scenery and capturing the moments on their cameras.

A family from Delhi visiting Naseem Bagh told Hindusthan Samachar that everything they had heard about autumn in Kashmir turned out to be true. “The view is even more beautiful than we had imagined,” they said. They added that every season in Kashmir has its own colour and charm, and that people should visit in all seasons.

Mohammad Saber, a tourist from Mumbai who was visiting the Shalimar Garden with his family, said he had so far known only places like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. “Today it feels like every place here and every season is unmatched,” he said. “I used to come in summer, but this time I came in autumn, and I will now come every year at this time.”

Meanwhile, the Chrysanthemum Garden at the Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden, which opened to the public last month, continues to draw a steady stream of local and non-local tourists. Officials said the garden was developed to keep tourists interested during the autumn season. Many visitors from outside the Valley head to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other tourist spots only after visiting the garden.

New facilities are also being credited for the rise in tourist arrivals. In the past, mostly well-off visitors from other parts of the country came to Kashmir, but the affordable Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar has now made the trip easier for budget travellers as well.

The start of cab booking services in Srinagar has made it easier for tourists to get around the city. Tourists said they can now book a cab and reach tourist spots without any difficulty.

Locals say the growing tourist footfall is also benefiting shopkeepers and other traders. They said visitors are buying Kashmiri shawls, dry fruits and similar items in large quantities.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast a change in weather from November 10, with fresh snowfall likely over higher reaches. The snowfall could add to the tourists’ interest.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat