I have mostly lived in South Eastern Rajasthan- the leeward side of Aravallis- a land of lush green hills, lakes, rivers, picturesque sunsets, dark clouds cast over majestic forts, punctual and generous rains lashing against the rustic earth, hailstorm announcing the arrival of bone-teasing winter which takes its own sweet time to birth a colourful spring, food that qualifies as rich and moderate at the same time, bougainvillea, roses, madhumaalti, harsingaar, champa occupying the green-brown canvas for major part of the year with an angry orange Palash spluttered across the thinning greens over hills around Holi… it has a bit of everything nature has to offer ❤
For the first time in and around Thar, The Great Indian Desert, the winward side of Aravallis- I notice the striking contrast. I acknowledge the lack of easy rains and dense vegetation, colours getting brighter, people getting stronger, kinder and resourceful, food getting richer with longer shelf life, Palash withering away to make way for Rohida and Amaltaas.
Amaltaas, in full bloom, dangling like heavy jewellery, allowing Thar to flaunt its golden yellow late spring legacy and gently lulling the green to sleep for the rest of the summer.
Also called the Golden Shower Tree or Cassia fistula, it is aragvadha in Ayurveda meaning “killer of diseases”. It treats fever, digestive troubles, skin diseases and has liver protecting, inflammation reducing, cough suppressing, wound healing, anti-microbial properties. Native to India it grows well in hot, dry climate and is easily identifiable by its beautiful yellow flowers that grow on long pendulous racemes.
Anhad/अनहद 