Saffron Fields (Pochall), Kishtwar

Saffron Fields (Pochall), Kishtwar

Saffron Fields in Pochall, which is part of Jammu's Kishtwar district, is a place with a wealth of colour and history. Some of the best saffron in the world, prized for its distinct flavour, scent, and therapeutic qualities, is known to come from these fields. With their striking purple petals and scarlet stigmas, the sight of saffron flowers in bloom captivates people from all over. The greatest time to visit saffron fields is in October and November each year when the flowers are at their peak. The fields are covered in an expanse of purple-hued saffron flowers. The scent that this blossom disperses throughout the air gives the surroundings a heavenly quality. Before the sun rises, women, men, and children dress colourfully and head to the saffron fields to pick flowers. Only a small number of the 156 revenue villages in the Kishtwar district—Matta, Hidyal, Tund, Nagini, Bera-Bhatta, Begana, Hatta, Pochhal, and Lach Daya Ram—are well-known for producing saffron. In the Kishtwar region, about 120 hectares of arable land are used for saffron cultivation. This Mandal area of the Kishtwar district produces, on average, five quintals of saffron per year. This location's saffron is superior to others in terms of quality, fragrance, and utility. The meticulous process of harvesting saffron is one of the most fascinating aspects of the saffron fields in Pochall. The delicate stigmas of each flower are hand-picked at dawn to preserve them, and the saffron threads are created by carefully drying the stigmas. One pound of saffron requires about 75,000 flowers, making it one of the most costly and labor-intensive spices in the world.