Asia's Largest Tulip Garden Opens its Gates to Tourists

Prepare for a Spectacle of Colors at Asia's Largest Tulip Garden, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Welcoming Visitors This Weekend

Prepare for a dazzling display of colors at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, now open to visitors this weekend. Nestled amidst the picturesque backdrop of Dal Lake and Zabarwan Hills, this garden, formerly known as Siraj Bagh, promises an explosion of hues as tulips of various shades burst into bloom, as confirmed by officials from the floriculture department.

This year, the garden boasts the addition of five new tulip varieties, augmenting the existing 68 varieties, with an expanded area housing an additional two lakh bulbs. Sprawling over 55 hectares, a staggering 17 lakh tulip bulbs have been meticulously planted, making it a record-breaking year for the garden.

In addition to tulips, visitors can also admire an array of spring flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens, further enriching the vibrant tapestry of colors on display. Established in 2007 by the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to extend the tourist season in Jammu and Kashmir, the garden has evolved from its modest beginnings with 50,000 tulip bulbs imported from Holland into a must-visit destination for tourists.

With over 3.65 lakh visitors, both domestic and foreign, flocking to the garden last year alone, and numerous film units choosing it as a filming location, its popularity continues to soar. To ensure visitors' comfort, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir V K Bhiduri has overseen arrangements, including the installation of colorful lights to enhance the garden's visual appeal and an emphasis on sanitation and cleanliness.

Moreover, the addition of nearly 22,000 square feet of parking space aims to further enhance visitors' convenience. As the gates swing open to welcome visitors, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden stands ready to captivate all who enter with its breathtaking floral spectacle.