Seasons are the names given to the parts that a year is divided into. Around the world, there are four major seasons in a year: Spring (March 1st – May 31st), Summer (June 1st – August 31st), Autumn (September 1st – November 30th) and Winter (December 1st – February 28th/29th).
Seasons mark changes in the weather, temperature, ecology, duration of days and nights and bring specific colors to our planet.
However, in our Kashmir, the year has been divided into six seasons which include the following:
Sonth – Spring season (mid-March to mid-May): In Soanth, flowers bloom and trees begin to grow. The days grow longer and warmer as the season begins. It is the season when mustard blooms and the temperature ranges between 15̊ C and 25̊ C.
Grishum – Hot season (mid-May to mid-July): Grishum is the hottest season and the temperature goes up to 35̊ C. It is the season of mustard harvesting and paddy cultivation.
Vahrath – Rainy season (mid-July to mid-September): Vahrath is the season of frequent rains. Days are long enough and temperature ranges between 13̊ C to 35̊ C.
Harud – Autumn season (mid-September to mid-November): Harud starts when the leaves of trees, except the evergreen trees, of the valley turn brown. The days get shorter and colder and leaves start falling from trees. It is the season of paddy harvesting when people start storing essential commodities for the following two harsh seasons.
Wande – Cold season (mid-November to mid-January): In the Wande, days are shorter and nights are comparatively longer. People restrict their daily activities and stay inside for hours as the snow engulfs the whole valley. Chilaikalaan starts in this season, from December 21st and ends around February 1st.
Shishur – Very cold season (mid-January to mid-March): This is the coldest season and the temperature goes below -20̊ C in its beginning days. However, after mid-February, snow starts melting and rain showers frequent as the season reaches its end.
