GOLDEN EARS

 

Wheat ( English), Gehu ( Hindi), Triticum aestivum ( Scientific name) refers to to Cultivated grass known to man for over 10,000 years.

The Spikes of this grass give us our Daily bread , Pasta or Rotis across the world.

Modern Iran , or Persia as it was known as in former times, is supposedly the Origin of Bread Wheat.

The pictures that follow were taken across Northern India and stretch over 4 months.

Field of Wheat
Green Fields of Wheat Near Delhi

India is the second largest producer of Wheat in the World and by and large self sufficient in this extremely Important Winter Crop.

The Green Fields gradually change colour with rising temperatures and the advent of Spring.

field mid way
Green turning to Gold

Local languages are extremely Illustrative, Wheat is called Kanak in the region of Punjab in India and has its roots in Sanskrit. It is a Pun on the word Gold.

Evolution of Golden Ears of Wheat is evident from the picture that follows.

green turning gold
The  Ears of Wheat  are more Gold now

By the end of March and the advent of April , Yellow Fields of Mustard yield giving way to Golden Wheat Fields. A sight to behold and Savour.

The following picture was taken from a Train in Rajasthan.

golden field
Golden Fields of Wheat seen from a Train

Ladybirds ( friends can you spot the dots) cling to the Spikes formed by the Kernels as the Wheat Ears turn to Gold and thus called Kanak.

wheat and ladybirds
Golden Wheat attracts Ladybirds too

This  scene of Harvesting  will be replicated across North India welcoming the Onset of Summer and celebrated during a lovely festival called Baisakhi on the 13th of April.

This picture was taken in Late March through the Window of a Train.

harvested
Harvesting begins across Northern India

Do have a closer look at your Bread, Pasta or Chapati ( Roti)  and be Enchanted.

Published by

mukul chand

51 year old entrepreneur who has traveled extensively around the world for work and pleasure , is based in New Delhi, India. A passionate traveler born with a love for flora and fauna, is an active naturalist and amateur photographer. Here he shares his unique insight into Incredible India revealing its mysterious and exotic treasures. Writing from his heart he shares his experiences as he crisscrosses this vast and amazing land.

37 thoughts on “GOLDEN EARS”

  2. Pingback: GOLDEN EARS – Br Andrew's Muses

  5. I love the name Kanak for wheat. Not only do the wheat ears turn to gold as they mature, but it is perhaps the most important of all crops. Therefore I’d even say it’s value exceeds that of gold, which is nothing but a shiny metal whose worth is derived from social consensus.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Your photos and your information about India are a wonderful way to learn about your country, high (overdue) on my “bucket list. You mentioned the Green Revolution in one of your comments. I am close to Vandana Shiva and David Suzuki in my opinions on sustainable agriculture. (It takes 300 joules of non-renewable energy produced over the ages by photosynthesis to produce 100 joules of Green Revolution food energy vs only 5 joules for traditional methods to produce the same 100 joules.) David Suzuki, From Naked Ape to Superspecies, pp. 118-119. Many scientists argue that modern agriculture is not sustainable. And nicotinic pesticides are killing bees. I wonder what your thoughts are on sustainability, dear to my heart as a grandfather. Great post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. It’s lovely how you followed this through the seasons and through the different colours of this beautiful land. I know that England (where I live) is supposed to be a ‘green and pleasant land’ (and it is), but it’s great to see this is mirrored in other parts of our beautiful planet. Thanks for sharing Mukul.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      3. Kind of like – we would not be able to have this conversation because there would have been no-one to invent computers … and no-one to use them anyway.
        Hmm – deep.
        Not!

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment