When Spring Comes to the Mountains

Name: Codi
Price range: $

Chitral & Gilgit-Baltistan

Spring in Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan, northern Pakistan, is a season of exceptional natural beauty. It arrives after a long and harsh winter, lifting spirits and bringing joy to the people. As the snow recedes from the valleys and hillsides, the landscape slowly awakens. Blossoms emerge, announcing the arrival of spring.

Children rush outdoors, breathless with excitement, eager to collect the delicate white flowers (Snow Glory) that herald the bright season. They thread these tiny blooms and pass them through the central chimneys of traditional houses, a playful ritual that earns them walnuts, dried fruits, and sweets.

Laughter and excitement ripple through the village as everyone joins in the celebration of “happy spring.”

Chitral Gilgit Baltistan spring flower — Snow Glory flower

The energy of the season is palpable.

Children engage in snowball fights, elders drum and dance in joyful rhythm, while little girls sway gently on swings, their laughter mingling with the fresh mountain air. The landscape transforms into a green carpet, the moist soil exuding a refreshing, earthy aroma.

Chitral Gilgit Baltistan kids spring playing — "Spring arrives after a long and harsh winter, lifting spirits and bringing joy to the people."

Spring also awakens the village’s natural world. Birds coo overhead, motley-colored butterflies flutter from flower to flower, and the chorus of toads resonates across streams and meadows.

The distinct scent of juniper, so unique to Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan, drifts through the air, mingling with the aroma of fresh earth and blossoms.

In the lush pastures, herds of cattle gather, tended by girls who fashion simple flutes from smooth willow branches. Perched atop moss-covered rocks overlooking the village, they play melodious tunes, their music blending harmoniously with the gentle bleating of the grazing cattle.

In Chitral, spring is not just a season, it is a vivid, living celebration of nature, culture, and community.

Chitral Gilgit Baltistan spring flower people — Both people and nature awakens with the coming of spring.

When Spring Comes to the Mountains - composed by Shams Uddin

Snow ebbed with snow glory abloom
Glee returned, withdrawing the gloom
From a wintry hold breaking free
Children on a collecting spree
Of the gift so coveted to bring
To enjoy and welcome spring

Thru the chimney they pass the glory
A tradition, telling a wonderful story
Receiving walnuts, dry fruits, and sweet
And the reward of a homespun tweet
Elders enjoy peacefully sitting
To enjoy and welcome spring

‘Happy spring,’ the hamlet’s abuzz
A ripple of jubilation that it causes.
With snow, children playing foul
Nature prevails, stirring the soul
Elders drum, kids doing swing
To enjoy and welcome spring

Wears the earth green garments
Refreshing aura, the soil ferments
Thick is the air with the butterfly
And a flock of doves, overfly
Juniper scent is lightly wafting
To enjoy and welcome spring

Shaping into a flute a branch of willow
Rocking atop the rock, looking below
Engrossed as if in the midst of prayer
Melodious notes of a tiny flute player
With a herd nearby grazing
To enjoy and welcome spring

Chitral Gilgit Baltistan mountains man flute music

Pictures by Shams Uddin

Shams Uddin

Shams Uddin in a wildlife guide and protector from Chitral valley, northern Pakistan.

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Laughter and excitement ripple through the village as everyone joins in the celebration of “happy spring.”

The energy of the season is palpable.

Spring also awakens the village’s natural world. Birds coo overhead, motley-colored butterflies flutter from flower to flower, and the chorus of toads resonates across streams and meadows.

The distinct scent of juniper, so unique to Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan, drifts through the air, mingling with the aroma of fresh earth and blossoms.