MARIGOLD FLOWERS SIGN IN FOR SPRING

Waiting for the colors of spring to inundate our lives with beauty and joy!

On February 10, here in India, we celebrated "Basant Panchami”. It is one of the sacred days in the yearly calendar. People weather cold wintry conditions to take dips in holy rivers and offer prayers to goddess Saraswati.

In northern India, young boys fly kites and make merry as the educational institutions are closed. People wear yellow colored dresses in tune with the golden spectacle of sheets of blooming yellow mustard plants in the fields. The spirit of joyful abandon is palpable in the air. Sweet rice prepared with yellow food color and saffron threads is a traditional dish associated with this festival.

Mustard blooms, courtesy Wikipedia

Culturally it signifies the preparation for the advent of spring and marks the lessening of winter’s hold. People wait for signs of warmth in the air. There is a saying “ae Basant pala udant.” That is when ‘Basant’ comes cold disappears.

Here are some images of marigold flowers attired in their very best to welcome spring, the queen of seasons.

         Image above was captured at 'Nature cure Institute' in Banglore, India.

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