Amaltas

In the cold winter night as chilly draughts 

....a single file of trees standing guard....

start creeping in one cannot help but reminisce about the hot shiny summer months. And so, there I was cuddled up in my wooly sweater hoping for the warmth of mid-summer noon. Although that mid June hot air was elusive but it did evoke a bright sunny memory of my midday stroll down Siri Fort road.

The Golden Shower

It's just one of those Delhi roads with a divider in between, sidewalks and a single file of trees standing guard on both sides. A stroll down such an ordinary road at noon in June seems like a self-inflicted torture with sun beating down from heavens but for a peek of the brilliant golden yellow blooms hanging like chandeliers it all became worthwhile.

In the afternoon sun of June when the hardiest of trees seemed pathetic with their drooping leaves, Amaltas stood majestically basking in the scorching hot sun. A deciduous giant after shedding almost all its leaves, it was laden with floral chandeliers so yellow that even the sun went white.

...a deciduous giant basking in scorching hot sun...

That day Amaltas became a symbol of endurance for me. It just doesn't endure but flourishes under the burning sun. The hotter it gets more beautiful these trees become. It taught me that in adversity one has only two options, either to droop down or to become the best version of oneself. That summer those blooms hanging down in a pendulous raceme granted me with a new perception of life and Delhi summer!!

Next summer look around and you will find at least one Cassia fistula showing off in any area of Delhi you are in. But if you want to experience the real "Golden Shower" a walk down the Hailey Road or Siri fort road is what you wanna do next summer!!

The Golden Chandeliers