The Saffron festival is arranged by the Tourism department, Kashmir. The main reason of the arrangement of this festival is to enhance the season for tourists in the Kashmir valley on numerous fronts. These festivals catch the attention of the tourists when projected in a big way. Such festivals also help out the growers of saffron to market their yield and support the farmers to produce large amount of saffron without atrophying the land. Conventional dances along with cultural shows were organized at the heart of the fields of saffron.

Kashmir is famous worldwide for producing quality saffron and is much better than the saffron of Iranian. Saffron fields and saffron for all time have been the central attraction in the valley of Kashmir for tourists.

It can be very advantageous for the Kashmir Valley as plucking of saffron is very well-known all over the world, but it was never promoted here. Tourists are invited to take part in the saffron plucking with the farmers. Farmers earn good amount of profits by doing this and the tourists also gain knowledge of the art of plucking of saffron.

The saffron blossoms in the month from October to November. Saffron is among the world's most costly herbal produce. Cool atmosphere and fertile soil of Kashmir Valley with brilliant drainage and natural content makes the place an ideal flourishing land for this spice.

Celebration

The idea of celebrating the saffron reaping belongs to the pre-Mughal period. According to history, this festival was celebrated during the control of Kashmiri monarch Yousuf Shahi Chak. After that it was restarted by the Government of Tourism.

Cultivation of saffron is the chief occupation of the natives of Pampore. The whole length and width of the Pampore are involved directly or not directly in the production or trade of this important spice and their entire life rotates around Saffron. Pampore celebrates its Annual Festival of Saffron during the Saffron harvest in the first days of November.

During this occasion the whole city participates in cultural programmes which include the folk dances called Kud, Bhand and Dumhal of Kashmir with immense enthusiasm and fun celebrating the reaping of Saffron. The most excellent way to experience the taste of Saffron is by preparing it in ‘Kahva’ which is a conventional tea of the Kashmir Valley.

This eight-day fiesta is celebrated in the open fields of saffron in Pampore along with the association of saffron growers. There are exhibitions and open sale of the saffron in different stalls. This celebration is a regular element and an important part of our Indian calendar. In this, it attracts more & more tourists to the Kashmir Valley especially during the season autumn when the fields of saffron are in their full bloom.

Location

The Saffron festival is organized at Pampore which is the town of saffron in the valley in Srinagar, Kashmir. Perched in the foothills of Himalayan Mountains, it offers a magnificent and exotic sight.

Time of Festival

Saffron festival is organized from last week of October to November.

Point to Remember

The Saffron flowers blossom for around three weeks from the middle of October to first week of November. As it is winter season and Valley has very low temperature during winters, therefore, it is better to make preparations before visiting Srinagar for the festival.

Entry Fees

There are no entry fees for this festival. It is open for all the people from all religions and communities.

Effects on Tourism

This Saffron festival has helped a lot for increasing tourism in the Valley. It also became an added attraction for tourists to stay longer in Kashmir Valley. The tourists love to participate in the plucking of saffron and from this the farmers earns a lot of revenue.

How to Reach

The city with striking gardens, serene lakes and the incredible Himalayas, Srinagar is a land of superb exquisiteness.  Srinagar proffers the opportunity for taking pleasure in the lap of nature while enjoying adventures.

By Air

Srinagar has its own airport. Several private and public airlines provide regular service in this domestic airport and this airport is well connected with all the major cities in India. Cabs and Taxis are available outside the airport to get to the Pampore.

By Road

A widespread network of road covers Srinagar and is well connected to the important cities in Jammu and Kashmir and North India which are namely: Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (290 km), Leh (434 km), Gulmarg (48 km), Sonmarg (88 km) and Pahalgam (96 km).

By Rail