City Season - Amaltas Trees, Second Avenue, Jor Bagh

City Season – Amaltas Trees, Second Avenue, Jor Bagh

City Season - Amaltas Trees, Second Avenue, Jor Bagh

The summer blossom.

[Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi]

Perhaps it is unreasonable to expect too much richness in a Third World city–the Amaltas disappoints Delhi this summer. There are hardly any yellow flowers to be seen on Hailey Road. In other summers, the Amaltas trees used to turn that central Delhi lane into the city’s most scenic destination.

But we can always scavenge for happiness. Make a noon-time trip to Second Avenue, the path that links Lodhi Road to Jor Bagh Road. There, just beyond Bharat Taxi Stand, a couple of Amaltas trees stand together. The sight is dramatic. You feel as if you have entered a tropical forest of bright yellow flowers. Park yourself under one of the trees. The flowers fall upon you, while you look on at the traffic.

Now look up at the snaky branches. All you see are smudges and sparks of yellow that spar with the grey dusty sky. This is too much richness. The high temperature suddenly becomes bearable. This year it is undoubtedly on Second Avenue where Amaltas, the gift of summer, disarms us and makes us friends even with the unfriendly sun.

Too much happiness

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City Season - Amaltas Trees, Second Avenue, Jor Bagh

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City Season - Amaltas Trees, Second Avenue, Jor Bagh

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City Season - Amaltas Trees, Second Avenue, Jor Bagh