Winter Start — In India

The transition from the retreating monsoon to winter is marked by a drop in temperature that moves from North to South.

Nature, too, puts on a show. The dry forests of deciduous India turn into artists' palettes—leaves turning yellow, rust, and red before falling. The landscape is no longer the monotonous green of the monsoon but a varied tapestry of earth tones. winter start in india

The start of winter in India isn't marked by a calendar date. It is marked by the first morning you see your breath turn into a tiny cloud. It is the first night you instinctively pull your feet off the cold floor and onto the mat. It is the day the chai tastes better than usual. The transition from the retreating monsoon to winter

Winter is also a crucial season for Indian agriculture. It marks the sowing season for several rabi (winter) crops, including wheat, barley, and mustard. The cooler temperatures and adequate moisture in the soil create ideal conditions for the growth of these crops. The productivity of rabi crops significantly contributes to India's food security, making winter a season of agricultural prosperity. The landscape is no longer the monotonous green

Winter starts with a battle. It is the season of smog . The beautiful, golden light is often filtered through a thick blanket of farm fires and vehicular emissions. The start of winter here is visually stunning but physically treacherous. You wake up to fog so dense it feels like a solid wall. The chill doesn't just sit on your skin; it seeps into your bones. It is the season of the sigdi (coal brazier), of thick razais (quilts) that you dread leaving in the morning, and of the ritualistic application of mustard oil on the skin before a bath.

To write about the start of winter in India is to write about two entirely different countries.