Kashmir’s breathtaking tulip garden, set in the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains near the resplendent Dal Lake, will be open for visitors on Thursday, marking the beginning of the new tourism season in Kashmir. The dazzling 30 hectares garden is Asia’s largest tulip garden, the jewel of Kashmir Valley.
The tulip garden was opened in 2007 with over 30 hectares, developed by the then (7th) Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress) to boost the tourism sector in the Valley. The tulip garden, with over 15 lakh flowers employing multitudes of workers, is built on a magnificent seven-terraced mountain slope. It grows over 60 varieties of tulips and other flowers like hyacinths, ranunculus, narcissus, and daffodils and other ornamental plants have been added as well.
More green spaces are included in the garden area and a water channel runs through the terraces adding charm to the garden.
Visitors will now be able to buy souvenirs and savor Kashmiri dishes from outside the garden area. This will be possible because of the decorated stalls and kiosks exhibiting cuisine and handicrafts of Kashmir.
The tulip garden, earlier known as Siraj Bagh seated on the banks of Dal Lake is a major tourist attraction. Each year the Garden and the Department of Tourism organizes the famous “Tulip Festival.”
The Jammu and Kashmir tourism department posted a beautiful video encouraging all to visit the grand opening
Experience the Tulip bloom
Tulip Garden opening on March 25, 2021
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Visit with family and friends…#jktourism #kashmir #tulipgarden @incredibleindia @OfficeOfLGJandK pic.twitter.com/PfvX6Y5JKd— Jammu & Kashmir Tourism (@JandKTourism) March 21, 2021
The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir tweeted, ”Come spring, Tulips will bedeck paradise again. The preparations to reopen Asia’s biggest Tulip garden are in full swing. More than 1.5 million tulips will be showcased this year in the beautiful garden nestled on the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range.”
Come spring, Tulips will bedeck paradise again. The preparations to reopen Asia’s biggest Tulip garden are in full swing. More than 1.5M tulips will be showcased this year in the beautiful garden nestled on the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range. #TulipFestival #jktourism pic.twitter.com/rvng3ovel6
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) March 9, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter on Wednesday and posted pretty pictures of the garden and tweeted, ”majestic tulip garden in the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains” in Jammu and Kashmir. ”Tomorrow, 25th March is special for Jammu and Kashmir….”
Tomorrow, 25th March is special for Jammu and Kashmir. A majestic tulip garden on the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains will open for visitors. The Garden will see over 15 lakh flowers of more than 64 varieties in bloom. pic.twitter.com/LwRPglZ1jO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2021
Tulips were originally cultivated in Iran and then Turkey. Tulip festivals have been popularized in many countries like Switzerland, the Netherlands, United States, and Canada during the spring season. In Australia, several festivals are held in September and October, which is springtime for the Southern Hemisphere.
The tulip is a member of the lily family, the cheerful bright spring flowers are symbolic of deep love since spring is a new season of growth, rebirth, new beginnings. Since the Victorian era, tulips have also been a symbol of charity many charities today still use the beloved tulip flower to represent them..
While tulips had probably been cultivated in Iran from the tenth century, the West did not notice them until the sixteenth century after they were widely popularized in Europe and other parts of the West through exotic paintings and festivals as well.
So, it is a wonderful time to visit Srinagar’s tulip garden with resplendent floral magnificence and rich symbolism.