Jacaranda canopy offers peace and joy for viewers

By Samikshya Thapa,Lalitpur, May 16: Every year as the spring season arrives something astonishing and luminous happens in the ancient city of Patan. The Jacaranda trees with their lavender-tinted blossoms veil the city in a floral canopy, creating a dreamlike atmosphere of serenity and beauty.

Over the past few weeks, the Jacaranda trees flanking both sides of the road have surged in full bloom. The trees are five to 15 metres tall, with fern-like feathery leaves; they are more admired in April and May when the flower blooms. 

As an immigrant plant, it is believed to be introduced in Nepal in the mid-20th century, which has since become an iconic feature of Nepal’s urban landscape. 

The tree shed their leaves while blooming, allowing the trumpet-shaped flowers to prevail more vividly. The flowers cover all the branches forming an archway above the path, and the fallen petals cover the ground in soft lavender which is loved by locals and tourists alike.

The Thasikhel to Mahalaxmisthan route has been busy, as it has been a good spot for people to visit these days due to the blooming of Jacaranda. Many people go for early morning or evening walks under lined Jacaranda trees to admire the scenery. People climb on the under-construction bridge in Mahalxmisthan to capture the moment in photo or to enjoy the mesmerizing view of Jacaranda.

Suraj Ghimire from Arghakhanchi who has been working and studying in Jadibuti, Kathmandu for the past few years is delighted by the beauty of Jacaranda.

He added, "The violet beauty of the Jacaranda flower gives me a feeling of peace and joy. The colour of the flower fills my heart with happiness. It feels like a festival of spring, and it lightens my heart.”

“The sales in my shop have gone high these past few weeks,” says 

Sharmila Adhikari, a shop owner at Mahalaxmisthan. “Every year during the blooming season, my shop does really well.”

“While returning from work with a heavy burden of stress in mind, seeing this flower blooming with such beauty on the roadside brings me peace and I wonder how is this flower blooming so beautifully in this harsh world,” said Shiva Shah, a resident of Bhanimandal. “It inspires me to live my life by blooming like this.”

Bikash Man Shrestha, Ward Chairman of Ward No 5 of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, said, "Jacaranda flower is liked by everyone, from youngsters to elderly. It has enhanced the beauty of Lalitpur. The tree has offered shade and freshness."

He added, "After seeing the beauty of this place most people tend to make TikTok and even I have made a few of them."

Even the exhausting days like summer, have become a heavenly while sitting under those breathtaking trees. A huge number of people come here to capture photos, make content for social media and to spend time with their loved ones.

(Thapa is an intern at TRN.)