Nestled between the picturesque Dal Lake and the majestic Zabarwan Hills, Asia's largest tulip garden opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, marking the start of a vibrant tourism season in the Kashmir Valley.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, welcoming visitors to witness a breathtaking floral spectacle.
Originally established in 2007 by then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the garden was designed to extend Jammu and Kashmir's tourist season beyond the traditional summer and winter months.
Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, it has since grown into a major attraction, drawing nature lovers and photography enthusiasts from across the world.
According to officials from the Floriculture Department, tulips of various colors have begun to bloom, transforming the landscape into a mesmerising tapestry of hues. To ensure an extended display of blossoms, the department strategically plants tulip bulbs in phases, allowing the flowers to remain in bloom for over a month.
This year, two new varieties of tulips have been introduced, bringing the total number of tulip and other flower varieties in the garden to an impressive 74.
In addition to tulips, the garden features a variety of other spring flowers, including hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens, enhancing its visual appeal. The vibrant floral arrangements are further enriched by a new colour scheme introduced this season.
Also Read: Tourists flock to Kashmir to beat intense heatwave in the country
Spanning across 55 hectares, the garden now boasts approximately 17 lakh tulip bulbs in full bloom, making it one of the most extensive tulip displays in Asia. Officials have stated that the expansion of the garden has nearly reached its maximum capacity.
The garden's journey began modestly with 50,000 tulip bulbs imported from the Netherlands. However, its immense popularity among tourists has led to steady growth over the years, both in terms of the number of blooming tulips and the increasing footfall of visitors.
Last year, the garden welcomed over 4.65 lakh domestic and international tourists, significantly surpassing the 3.65 lakh visitors recorded in 2023.
With its ever-expanding floral collection and continued efforts to enhance the visitor experience, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden remains one of Kashmir’s most cherished attractions.
Also Read: Asia's largest Tulip garden ready to welcome visitors with 1.7 Million blooms
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