31.05.2026 23:20
With the delayed arrival of spring in Bitlis, the season for gathering çiriş otu, one of the region's indispensable traditions, has begun. Citizens eager to collect this medicinal plant, which sprouts on steep mountain slopes as the snow melts, walk for kilometers and climb challenging inclines to fill their saddlebags with the sultan of tables.
In Bitlis, citizens continue their harvest of çiriş otu (güllük), one of the heralds of spring and an indispensable flavor of tables.
THEY CLIMB STEEP SLOPES WITHOUT HEEDING DIFFICULT PATHS
This year, spring's delayed arrival in the region after winter has caused the çiriş otu to sprout only recently in certain areas. Citizens wishing to collect this medicinal plant, which emerges from under the soil following the melting of snow on mountain peaks, have climbed steep slopes without caring about the difficult roads.
“WITH THE MELTING OF SNOWS, THIS UNIQUE FLAVOR HAS ALSO COME TO LIGHT”
Mehmet Okay, a local resident who went to the mountains with his friends to collect çiriş otu, stated that spring was delayed this year, saying, "This year, spring came a bit late to our homeland. Therefore, in high altitudes and certain areas, the çiriş otu has just begun to sprout. With the melting of snow on the mountain peaks, this unique flavor has also come to light. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we went to the mountains with our friends," he said.
IT IS ALSO A SOCIAL ACTIVITY
Emphasizing that collecting çiriş otu is also a social activity for them, Okay said, "This place is not just a place for us to collect çiriş otu. It also offers a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, relieve stress, and take a nature walk in fresh air. With our friends, we both breathed the mountain air, exercised, and collected this healing flavor that nature offers us. Though climbing steep and difficult slopes is tiring, the scenery and peace here were worth everything," he expressed.
It was stated that the harvest of çiriş otu, which grows completely organically in its natural environment and is an indispensable part of kitchens, will continue for a while longer in the Bitlis highlands.