Lahore Sahiba Jee in Spring :)… “If You Haven’t Seen Lahore...You haven’t been born!”

My Shehar Lahore Sahiba is one beautiful, mesmerizing, mystical and historic lady. In every season, sun rise and sun set, she has a magically seductive and sensitive quality, all her own. Come spring, February to March, she blooms into bouquets. Her curves covered with old Roads, inner city gallies and avenues filled with meticulously planted Gainda, Rose, Dhalia, Pationias, Pansies, Daisy flower beds, springing out of potted and hanging plants to wild hedges of herbs and fruits. Age-old historic trees, full of secrets sparkle in her sweet sunshine. Sudden spring showers bathe and fill her with a heady fragrance ~khushbou of gilli mitti leaves and flowers. Buzzing bees and dazzling butterflies all dance around the sweet, pouring nectar filled flowers and flourishing fruits and vegetables

 She is so scintillatingly fertile that every pore of her oozes with creation and grows all kinds of fruits, flowers and vegetables. From the sweetest Spinach of her Sarsoen fields to juicy Carrots, Mooli,  Beetroot, Katchnaar, Cucumbers, Broccoli, Strawberries, Oranges, Anaars, Grapefruits, Lemons to Bananas; whatever you plant and wherever in Lahore, it just grows and multiplies. Being born and having lived only, proudly here, on her soil for forty two years, I still fall in love with her every day and in every moment. There is such immense abundance that one can only be in a state of gratitude ~shukran for Lahore Sahiba Jee!

The crazy, cool canal running across her breath and expanse, muddy and wild in places, built and manicured in others. A reflection of her deep shadows and moods. Every nuance, every sun beam on it illuminating the grace and madness that is so uniquely her. Full of color of every hue, textures and natural elements. The Weeping Willows, Blossom Trees, Gul Mohar, Amaltaas, Neem, Ashokas, Moringa, J and bushes on the canal green banks.  I have memories as a child going to my school, Convent & Jesus and Mary; sometimes walking and running on its footpath with my Papa, then cycling on my yellow BMX, and finally driving past it on the way to college and long drive dates!

Famously called the City of Gardens, from the historic Shalimar Gardens, Minto/ Iqbal Park with Minar-e-Pakistan, to the Park outside the Lahore Fort and the maze of gardens within the Fort and Badshahi Mosque complex, to the numerous public parks like my favorite, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Race Course, Model Town, Jallo Park to the Polo Grounds; Lahore is full of luscious greenery.

Every home, big or small and housing avenue is filled with parks, green belts and plants and trees of every kind. Even the Dubai Palm Trees have found a home in Lahore. Every gardener and citizen is a Shah Jahan building beloved gardens of imagination and charm. A love letter to her, the lady that flirts with us every season and especially in spring.

Lahoris can’t help being in a state of love, bliss and creativity. From writers, poets, artists, ceramists, sculptors, musicians to dancers, every one expresses their appreciation for her in their own unique way.  We are but in her kind service, always ready to break into a verse or song at the sight of her, Our Beautiful Shehar, Lahore Sahiba Jee. All you need to do is look outside :)