How Saffron is Grown and Harvested in the Karewas of Pampore

Each year during late October and early November, the high plateau of Pampore transforms into an ethereal violet sea as millions of purple Crocus sativus flowers burst into bloom. Saffron harvesting is a race against the sun: blossoms must be hand-plucked at dawn before the morning warmth causes the delicate crimson stigmas to wither.