March 14th, 2011 
Mast Holiday
The season of spring is a harbinger of joy. In India, too, Spring is a beautiful period when the wintery sun begins to turn warm and the days get longer, not to mention the flowers blooming in full splendour. Spring is the most lovely season in India, when the entire ambience blooms in beauty. The nature around is bedazzled with the colours and fragrance. Though the spring season stays for a very short span of time, it brings newness to the surroundings. The entire atmosphere becomes bouncy.
Venture Around in the Spring
This one period when you can venture where you want. The climate will not be an obstruction on your way. Go to any part of India. Either visit the wildlife or any other attraction, Spring will never dissatisfy you.
附8：泰戈尔出生地加尔各答的地理与气候特点（http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8A%A0%E5%B0%94%E5%90%84%E7%AD%94）
加尔各答位于印度东部的恒河三角洲，22°33′N 88°20′E，海拔高度介于1.5到9 米之间。[18]该市沿着胡格利河河岸，呈南北向伸展。该市许多地方原来是大片的湿地，花费了数十年才将其改造成适合市民居住的地方。孙德尔本斯国家公园将该市与南面154千米处的孟加拉湾隔开。
如同印度河-恒河平原大部分地方一样，这里主要的土壤类型是冲积土。城市的地基由4层沉积物构成：粘土、淤泥、粗细不同的各种沙子，和沙砾。这些沉积物夹在两层淤泥之间，下面的一层深度介于250与650 米之间，而上面的一层厚度介于10到40 米之间。[19]根据印度标准局文件，该市在四个地震等级分区中被划为三级地震区[20]。而根据联合国开发计划署报告，该市在风暴和旋风分区中属于“高度损害危险”等级。[20]
加尔各答属于热带气候。年平均气温为26.8 摄氏度，月平均气温从19 °C到30 °C。夏季炎热潮湿，在5-7月最高气温经常超过40 °C。冬季持续只有2个半月，在12月和1月，气温会下降到12 °C – 14 °C。有记录的最高气温是43 °C，最低气温是5 °C。[21]初夏时节常有雷暴雨伴随狂风，断断续续袭击该市，对缓解湿热很有帮助。这种雷暴雨当地称作Kal baisakhi（西北强风）。[22]
东南季风[23]从6月到9月，给这座城市带来一半多的年降雨量，1,582 毫米。最大降雨量出现在8月季风时节（306 毫米)。每年该市的日照时间为2,528小时，日照时间最大 值出现在每年3月。[24]污染是加尔各答的一个主要问题，悬浮颗粒物（SPM）水平高于印度其他大城市，[25][26]定期造成烟雾。
| [隐藏] Kolkata（1951-1980）气候平均数据 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 月份 | 1月 | 2月 | 3月 | 4月 | 5月 | 6月 | 7月 | 8月 | 9月 | 10月 | 11月 | 12月 | 全年 |
| 平均高温℃（℉） | 26.6 (79.9) | 29.7 (85.5) | 34.0 (93.2) | 36.3 (97.3) | 36.0 (96.8) | 34.1 (93.4) | 32.2 (90) | 32.0 (89.6) | 32.2 (90) | 31.9 (89.4) | 29.8 (85.6) | 27.0 (80.6) | 31.8 (89.2) |
| 平均低温℃（℉） | 13.9 (57) | 16.9 (62.4) | 21.7 (71.1) | 25.1 (77.2) | 26.4 (79.5) | 26.5 (79.7) | 26.1 (79) | 26.1 (79) | 25.8 (78.4) | 24.0 (75.2) | 18.9 (66) | 14.3 (57.7) | 22.1 (71.8) |
| 降水量mm（英寸） | 16.8 (0.661) | 22.9 (0.902) | 32.8 (1.291) | 47.7 (1.878) | 101.7 (4.004) | 259.9 (10.232) | 331.8 (13.063) | 328.8 (12.945) | 295.9 (11.65) | 151.3 (5.957) | 17.2 (0.677) | 7.4 (0.291) | 1,641.4 (64.622) |
| 来源：Indian Meteorological Department 2009-03-20 | |||||||||||||
附9：http://trip.elong.com/calcutt/jianjie/
旅游季节以10月至翌年3月的气候最好，在此期间最高气温26.6℃、最低温12.7℃。
加尔各答位于纬度较低的印度热带地区，气候终年炎热，年降雨量1000多毫米。一年四季绿树葱茏，鲜花盛开。
附9注：附9称“加尔各答一年四季绿树葱茏，鲜花盛开”，泰翁独取“夏花”，用意如何？
附10：疑似泰戈尔心目中的夏花之一
http://muktodhara.org/?p=1838（该网站似乎是泰戈尔家乡的网站，开辟专门纪念与讨论泰戈尔的内容）。另据http://zhaoxinfly.bokee.com/5236347.html介绍，泰尔戈于1861年5月7日出生在印度西孟加拉邦加尔各答市。）
SUMMER FLOWERS OF SANTINIKETAN- KATH CHAMPA
桑地尼可坦（泰翁家乡）的夏花
（hillside注：泰戈尔家乡的夏花KATH CHAMPA，据正文中称，严格来说，这并不是夏季单独开放的花，花期其实很长。我想，这可能意味着泰戈尔用KATH CHAMPA比喻生命之悠长，而不是短暂。据称台湾牛人李敖说：“泰戈尔这本《飞鸟集》，成书已有92年，现在读来，仍像是壮丽的日出，诗中散发的哲思，有如醍醐灌顶，令人茅塞顿开。”http://item.jd.com/11020777.html那么，看着“夏花”，我们能悟到什么？）
Kath Champa flowers are strictly not summer flowers, as they will remain in full bloom from spring to right beyond the rainy season or just about. But in Summer of Santiniketan they will remain steadfastly visible almost at all corners of Santiniketan. Kath Champa, incidentally does not appear to be a native variety, as unlike Kurchi or Krishnachura, Kath Champa is not visible at the country side. Even though the white varieties might get discovered in an odd corner of a village, the pinkish or the red variety of Kath Champa will certainly not be visible in the open. It would suggest that this plant was imported to Santiniketan sometime in the past. At present this plant almost infests Santiniketan. The residents of Santiniketan, in their newly laid house gardens, have often planted this tree and in the process Kath Champas are found almost in every corner of Santiniketan.
There are many varieties of Kath Champa, having probably different names; the brightest red among them is called ‘Gulancha’（hillside注：该网站声称花名-Gulancha由泰戈尔亲自命名）- a rather poetic name which Rabindranath Tagore might have named so. Gulancha has somehow become a bit rare in Santiniketan right now, probably for people being not too aware of this variety. Compared to other varieties Gulancha is a relatively smaller sized tree and it also blooms less profusely than the other more prominent varieties. But the deep red of Gulancha cannot be found in other flowers, that makes it rather unique. Interestingly Tagore often mentioned ‘Gulancha’ in several of his short stories and in other writings and it might have been a favourite of Tagore. But then Tagore was fond of nature, and other flowers find coveted place in his writings too. Apart from Jibanananda Das to some extent we do not find any other poet of Bengal religiously rooted to flora & fauna but Rabindranath.
While photographing flowers of Santiniketan just as a nothing-much-to-do past time and then observing the photographs in details in computer made me severely aware of the observation power of Rabindranath Tagore. Inspite of being supplemented by rather crisp photographs we labour to write a few lines on one such Kath Champa, Rabindranath managed to eke out life, music & poetry out of these flowers with abundant ease- such was his observation power.
Well, it has now become my bad habit to refer to Rabindranath on any subject on the slightest pretext like this Kath Champa; but if pondered carefully one is bound to feel astonished at the sheer observation power of the great old bearded man! What an amazing personality!
On a lighter note, following Tagore’s line of thought I just pondered over a poem that I could create on Kath Champa-lets say in Patha Bhavana style; only two words come to my mind spontaneously ‘Kath Champa’ and ‘Kampa Kampa’ (shievering or wave like!) and nothing more.
“Chup Chap Kath Champa Jhore Pore
Kampa Kampa Sugondhe Mon Bhore”
Oh no- I cannot think about anything more; my gray cells are already in a complaining mood! On a hind thought, I feel fairly scary that the poem above would not even get selected in Sishu Bibhag Sahitya Sabha for being too short in length!
This variety of Kath Champa (snap above) is rather special. Can you tell why? By observation it can be noted that the petals here are slim and longish, slightly different from other varieties. This variety is special as only this kind can be found in Chhatim Tala. The Chatim Tala has several Kath Champa trees; apart from one pinkish variety at the corner towards the Santiniketan Griha all other Kath Champas belong to this variety. This is also a bit rare in Santiniketan, few old houses of Santiniketan has this variety. Its predominance in Chatim Tala arouses a bit of curiosity- maybe this variety truly belongs to a higher spiritual plane? But the conscious effort to plant only this variety in Chatim Tala is noticeable.
We shall move along with time, perhaps its nice to stop for a while among the flowers, which had remained our companions in Santiniketan. It is also interesting to realize that though many things have changed, the plants and trees thankfully haven’t changed much.
附10注1：据http://baike.baidu.com/view/2913445.htm?fr=aladdin介绍，《诗心相悦：我们为什么喜爱泰戈尔》，2012年12月19日，在印度西孟加拉邦桑地尼可坦（Santiniketan），印度国际大学中国学院、尼赫鲁大学中国研究中心联合举办的 “泰戈尔荣获诺贝尔文学奖百年庆典：泰戈尔与世界文化及文学特别是与中国的共鸣”国际学术会议上发表。
附10注2：http://blog.sciencenet.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=222&do=blog&id=279007
泰戈尔诗中的champa花及其他（该文探讨了泰戈尔喜爱的一种家乡花卉）
附11：一个美国园艺类作家提供的春花图片
http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/A_List_of_Spring_Flowers
Every gardener makes a list of spring flowers during the dark days of winter, and looks forward eagerly to the first burst of spring color. Spring arrives at different times depending on where you live, but the sequence of blooms is similar in most places. With that in mind, watch for these favorites in your own garden or in the garden next door.
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While some gardeners can enjoy year-round blooms, this list of spring flowers is the very beginning of spring in most areas. Experienced gardeners often create vignettes in one area to make the most of this early color, such as planting a pool of winter aconite at the feet of a witch hazel.
Winter Aconite: Also known as Eranthis, these pale yellow blooms might be considered insignificant later in the year, but they are a joyous sight when they push through the snow.
Witch Hazel: These shrubs add a wonderful touch of yellow in the early spring garden. Some cultivars bloom red.
Crocus: The earliest varieties, such as Crocus chrysanthus, Crocus sieberi and Crocus tommasinianus, bloom through the snow. These are the small crocus that usually flower in shades of purple or yellow.
Hellebore: These are often known by common names such as Christmas Rose and Lenten Rose in areas with mild winters.
Camellia: This beautiful shrub has lovely blossoms in mild winter climates or early spring in slightly harsher areas.
Snowdrop: This is another early bulb that sometimes blooms even through the snow.
Chionodoxa: This is commonly called Glory of the Snow. These pale blue flowers bloom as the snow melts.
Pansy: Cool growers, pansies bloom early and hardy to frost and snow. The will continue to bloom until the weather turns hot.
Early spring brings rain, mud, and more flowers. Look for these favorites.
Daffodil: The earliest narcissi appear in early spring, especially small cultivars like Tete-a-Tete.
Iris Reticulata: The large iris are a summer pleasure, but this small beauty is an early spring treasure.
Forsythia: This bright yellow shrub literally screams "Springtime!"
Scilla: These small bulbs produce wonderful blue and purple blossoms.
Anemone: The blanda species produces pale blue and white starry blossoms for the spring garden.
Pussy Willow: Salix discolor and Salix caprea were standards in many grandmothers' gardens, but new varieties have larger and more strongly-colored catkins to delight today's gardeners.
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Daffodil: These are the glory of the mid-spring blossoms. Large, late varieties like King Alfred and Mount Hood are brilliant even on rainy days.
Tulip: On everyone's list of spring flowers, these are starting their long period of bloom in mid-spring.
Rhododendron and azaleas: Both are just starting their springtime display.
Muscari: Often planted with daffodils and tulips, muscari hug the ground beneath those taller flowers.
Redbud trees: Their branches are outlined with wonderful pink blooms before their leaves appear.
Dogwood trees: These are breathtaking in the spring garden.
Magnolia Tree: The star magnolia, Magnolia stellata, is the first to bloom.
Trillium: This is just one of the many wildflowers that bloom before the large trees are fully leafed out.
Ornamental forms of Cherry and Crabapple trees are beautiful in mid-spring.
Hyacinths: These spring flowers bring scent as well as color to the spring garden.
Primrose: Jewels in the spring garden, Primula veris (Cowslip) andPrimula vulgare (Common primrose) are the best known, but you will find many varieties are available in garden centers.
Lily of the Valley: This highly fragant flower typically blooms in late spring, but it can bloom earlier in years with mild winters.
Magnolia Tree: Magnolia x soulangiana, the saucer magnolia, is a beautiful late spring bloomer.
Lilac: This shrub fills the late spring garden with scent and color.
Spiraea: These shrubs are an old-fashioned favorite.
Peonies: These shrubs carry the garden from late spring into summer.
Allium: Somewhat prosaically called the "flowering onion," this bloom is spectacular.
Wood Anemone: Anemones are always lovely in the wilderness garden.
Jack in the Pulpit: This wildflower is a favorite in spring.
There's nothing like a visit to your local garden center in the springtime to find out what's blooming in your region. You're bound to find old favorites and perhaps a few types of flowers you've never seen before. As long as you can provide the growing condtions required, don't hesitate to bring a new plant home and make it part of your own spring garden.
