PAMPORE: Tourists visiting different places in Kashmir halt their trip along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway near Chandhara to visit the nearby Karewa to enjoy blooming Wild Tulips.
Wild Tulip, also known as Himalayan White Tulip (Tulipa clusiana), which grows as a natural weed along with Saffron in the Karewa of Pampore is attracting scores of tourists from various states of the country, who throng the Karewa along the national highway in Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
These days it is in full bloom in Pampore Karewa. The tourists click photographs, selfies and videos of the blooming wild tulips and mustard crops. A huge rush is seen these days in the area where some boys also sell Saffron to the visitors.
As such, the Chandhara and Lethpora Karewa has turned into tourist spots for visitors.
Besides visitors, various schools organise excursions to the Karewa where students enjoy the wild tulips.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Tejander Singh Sandhu, who was on a visit to Kashmir with his family from Patiala Punjab, said that he visited many places in Kashmir like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. He said that they enjoyed the hospitality of local people who speak very humbly these days owing to Ramadhan.
He said that the soil of Pampore Karewa is bestowed by God and is the most fertile.
“It grows best quality Saffron but that flower in October,” he said, adding that he would come in October of next year to see the saffron blossom. Singh said that he enjoyed Wild Tulips which are looking very beautiful.
Sabrita, from Barelvi, UP, said that she was attracted by the scene of Wild Tulips and she alighted from her vehicle to have a closer look.
“The wild tulips look very beautiful just like Saffron flowers,” she said, adding that she visited few places in Kashmir so far. “Kashmir is a very beautiful place, you can freely go to any place and enjoy just what you enjoy at other places,” she said.
“I advise my sisters and brothers of the country to come to Kashmir once in their life and have a great experience and enjoyment,” she said.
Another young tourist from Gujarat said that he was attracted by the sight of mustard flowers and he clicked some photographs here. “Kashmir has a natural beauty; people should visit here and enjoy it,” he said.
Another tourist from Maharashtra said that Kashmir is the best place for visitors. “It has natural scenery, good hotels and houseboats,” he said, adding that he came here 10 years ago all alone and now he has come with his family. “The people here are very helpful,” he said, adding that there is no match for Kashmir in the whole of India and the visitors should come here instead of going outside the country.

BILAL HABIB