Rhododendron flowers inundate Kufri and Shilon Bagh valleys attracting tourists

Shimla, March 16: The Kufri, Mudaghat, Chhalanda, Koti and Shilon Bagh valleys in the Junga area of Himachal Pradesh have gone red and pink because of blooming of rhododendron flowers. These valleys are also famous for their beauty and peace and attract a lot of visitors who are taking full advantage of the beautiful scene, halting cars to take pictures of the beautiful flowers.

Know It: Rhododendron (Rhododendron) tree (March, April). They are naturally found in colder, sloping regions with a temperature wave of 12°C−20°C. A robust flowering plant that grows at an elevation of 1,500-3,600 meters above sea level, covered with smaller bell-shaped flowers along with broad green glossy leaves. In the forests of Himachal Pradesh, the rhododendron trees grow automatically, making the forests even more beautiful.

Locals have found many uses for the abundant rhododendron flowers in the region over the years. In the countryside, pickles, jams, and juice have been made from the flowers, offering a supplementary income source to the villages. Also, the flowers are sold at the local markets, some people dry petals they use in chutneys and other food items throughout the year.

Pritam Thakur, a senior resident of the area, said creating a garland of rhododendron flowers was auspicious during Vaishakh Sankranti and people kept the garland in the temple of their family deity before bringing them home. The chutney prepared from these flowers is said to be especially effective in treating heatstroke and nosebleeds.

Rhododendron flowers are not only useful as food but have medicinal properties as well, said Dr. Vishwabandhu Joshi, an Ayurveda doctor from Koti. Rhododendron flowers are rich in vitamins A, B-1, B-2, C, E, and K and are said to help maintain healthy cholesterol, prevent weight gain, and act as a natural remedy for skin diseases. The flower syrup is also referred to as brain coolant, and it provides an excellent antioxidant boost.

While tourists continue to flock to the valleys, the beauty and gains of rhododendron flowers are slowly but surely forming a vital component of Himachal Pradesh’s allurement.