The Flickr Localkashmiri Image Generatr

A dazzling array of fresh eats at a local eatery on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam. I simply had to stop here to take photographs- the stall was so colourful, but ended up sampling some of his wares as well. The bright yellow item on the tray in the immediate foreground and in front of man standing with his hand on his hip is a traditional Kashmiri dish called halwa. It's a sweet item made out of semolina flour. Note the embellishments on the halwa with several coconut slices. I was surprised at the extensive use of coconuts in Kashmir, despite it being miles away from the sea. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

Fresh, hot jalebis just off the wok at a local eatery on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam. I simply had to stop here to take photographs- the stall was so colourful, but ended up sampling some of his wares as well. Jalebi is a popular sweet snack in the Indian subcontinent, West Asia and some parts of Africa. It is made by deep-frying a maida (refined flour) based batter in pretzel or circular shapes. These are then soaked in sugar syrup. Some jalebi makers soak the batter in yoghurt, so the net result is a sweet- sour delicious snack which just explodes in your mouth as you bite into it. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

The mustard farmer also sold apple juice and prepares to make some for us. Actually right next to the mustard field on the Pahalgam to Srinagar road was an apple orchard. I had stopped to take some pictures of apples on the tree, which turned out to be fake plastic apples, put there to attract tourists as it was not fruiting season in April. Rather pissed at this fakery, we entered the mustard field next door instead. The mustard farmer Mr Bashir Ahmed was super friendly, allowed us to take pictures in his field, and said he also sold apple juice, made from fresh, real apples. He then went ahead to squeeze some of it for us. A very friendly soul, he still calls me in Pune occasionally just to say hi. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

My friend and I have stopped off at a mustard field on the drive back to Srinagar from Pahalgam, and have taken some lovely pictures in the lush yellow fields. (see previous pictures earlier in this album). The mustard farmer, Mr Bashir Ahmed, turned out to be super friendly and allowed us to take pictures freely in his fields. We also treated ourselves to freshly squeezed apple juice at his farm, and also send the pictures we shot to his daughter on WhatsApp at her request. Both father and daughter were so pleased with us that Mr Bashir Ahmed insisted we have some Kashmiri Kahwa (a traditional tea from the Himalayan Valley that's made by boiling green tea leaves with spices and nuts) with him. Here I am with Mr Bashir and his daughter, posing at their shack, before we move on. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

My friend poses next to a colourful display of fresh foods at a local eatery on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam. I simply had to stop here to take photographs- the stall was so colourful, but I ended up sampling some of his wares as well. The bright yellow item on the tray in the immediate foreground is a traditional Kashmiri dish called halwa. It's a sweet item made out of semolina flour. Note the embellishments on the halwa with several coconut slices. I was surprised at the extensive use of coconuts in Kashmir, despite it being miles away from the sea. The halwa is had wrapped in a piece of paratha (Indian style unleavened flat bread) and the vendor gave us a sample to try. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

I pose with the mustard farmer's daughter as my friend talks to the farmer. I am in a mustard field in full bloom on the road from Pahalgam to Srinagar. The farmer, Mr Bashir Ahmed, turned out to be very friendly and allowed us to take pictures in his fields. He also sold freshly pressed apple juice, which I am now enjoying. The farmer's daughter took interest in the many photos I was shooting and asked me to send some of them to her on WhatsApp to share with her friends. So here I am, posing with her, after sending her the photographs, while my friend and host (just out of the picture) talks to the farmer. He later joined us for a selfie as well. A very friendly soul, Mr Bashir Ahmed still calls me occasionally in Pune. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

A mustard field in full bloom on the Srinagar to Pahalgam road in Kashmir, India. The highway stretch from Srinagar to Pahalgam has large mustard fields and many tourists feast their eyes with the scenic view of the blooming mustard flowers. with snow-covered Zabarwan mountains in the backdrop. The farmer, Mr Bashir Ahmed, turned out to be very friendly and allowed us to take pictures in his fields. He also sold freshly pressed apple juice, which I am now enjoying. The farmer's daughter took interest in the many photos I was shooting and asked me to send some of them to her on WhatsApp to share with her friends. The mustard farmer soon joins his daughter and me for a group photograph after I have sent her some of my photographs. Mr Bashir Ahmed still calls me occasionally to say hi, the last time I heard from him, he was trying to get his daughter married. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

Just as I was oggling at the large tray full of piping hot jalebi (see previous picture) at the local eatery on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam, I noticed this man frying up even more fresh jalebi. I simply had to stop at this shop to take photographs- the stall was so colourful, I ended up sampling some of his wares as well. Jalebi is a popular sweet snack in the Indian subcontinent, West Asia and some parts of Africa. It is made by deep-frying a maida (refined flour) based batter in pretzel or circular shapes. These are then soaked in sugar syrup. Some jalebi makers soak the batter in yoghurt, so the net result is a sweet- sour delicious snack which just explodes in your mouth as you bite into it. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)

A pretty busy morning for the crew of this local eatery on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam. I simply had to stop here to take photographs- the stall was so colourful, but ended up sampling some of his wares as well. It was still fairly early in the mornings, so the tourist crowds are not in yet. But the shop is apparently expecting quite a crowd, if the quantities being turned out are any indication. Jalebis are apparently very popular her- one tray full of them in the foreground, another full tray of jalebi in front of the man with his back to us, one fresh lot coming off the wok with another wok full of jalebi frying in the background! Jalebi is a popular sweet snack in the Indian subcontinent, West Asia and some parts of Africa. It is made by deep-frying a maida (refined flour) based batter in pretzel or circular shapes. These are then soaked in sugar syrup. Some jalebi makers soak the batter in yoghurt, so the net result is a sweet- sour delicious snack which just explodes in your mouth as you bite into it. (Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, Apr/ May 2024)