Introduction
The chapter “Festival of Flowers” revolves around Rishi and his family as they travel to the Himalayas to visit his maternal uncle (Mama) and his family. The chapter captures their journey, the beauty of nature, and the conversations about the vibrant flower festivals celebrated in different parts of India. It also highlights the bond between cousins and their shared experiences of spring festivals.
Journey to the Himalayas
Rishi, a boy from Jammu, travels with his parents.- He is travelling to the Himalayas to visit his Mama, Mami, and cousins, Chiya and Nonikaa.
- The family takes a bus ride through scenic hills covered with colorful flowers and tall trees.
- They are warmly received by Mamaji at the bus stop, and the family heads toward the village on a concrete road that leads to a narrow mud road.
Exploring the Garden
- When Rishi arrives at his Mama’s house, he is amazed by the variety of flowers in the garden.
- He sees roses, marigolds, and hibiscus, but is eager to learn about the other lovely flowers.
- His cousin Nonikaa introduces him to tulips.
Kashmiri Lunch and Festivals
- They all enjoy a Kashmiri dish called haakh (a type of leafy vegetable) with hot rice, which is very tasty!
- During lunch, Nonikaa talks about the Kashmir Tulip Festival.
- Rishi shares about a spring festival in his hometown where they decorate homes with mustard and buransh flowers (Rhododendron).
- Chiya excitedly mentions, “My friend Unni from Kerala celebrates a festival called Vishu at this time, using lots of yellow amaltas flowers, fruits, and vegetables to create Vishu Kani.”
- This special tradition is celebrated on the first day of the Malayali new year.
Celebrating Nature
- Mami joined in and said, “Spring is a celebration of nature. After the cold winters, the sun shines brightly, and we see flowers blooming, grass growing, and new leaves on the trees.
- Rishi told Mami, Chiya, and Nonikaa that how happy he feels to see beautiful and colourful flowers around him.
- Rishi returned to his home after few days.
Try yourself:
What is the Kashmiri dish that Rishi and his family enjoyed for lunch at Mama’s house?
- A.Biryani
- B.Haakh with hot rice
- C.Poha
- D.Rajma Chawal
View Solution
Points to Remember
- Awareness of Nature – The chapter teaches about different flowers like mustard and buransh, and how they are important in various festivals.
- Cultural Diversity – Students learn about the spring festivals celebrated in India, like Vishu, which is an important part of the Malayali new year. It is believed that seeing good things at sunrise on this day will bring a good year.
- Seasonal Changes – The chapter shows how spring brings changes in nature, like flowers blooming and plants growing.
- Family and Tradition – The chapter talks about how family traditions and bonding are important, sharing Rishi’s experiences with his cousins during the spring festival.
- Environmental Appreciation – The beauty of nature is shown, helping students understand the importance of taking care of the environment.
Difficult Words
- Himalayas – Mountain range in northern India. The highest mountain, Mount Everest, is in Nepal and is about 8,848 metres tall.
- Mama – Mother’s brother.
- Mami – Mama’s wife.
- Scenic – Beautiful natural views.
- Hairpin Turns – Sharp bends on a road, often found in hilly areas.
- Rhododendron – A flowering plant in the Himalayas, also called buransh.
- Vishu – A festival in Kerala celebrating the Hindu New Year.
- Amaltas – A tree with bright yellow flowers.
- Tulip – A spring flower with bright, showy blooms.
- Haakh – A traditional dish from Kashmir made with leafy greens.