Synopsis
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has inaugurated Asia's largest tulip garden in Srinagar. Known as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, it features 1.5 million tulip bulbs ready to bloom in the coming month, becoming a key attraction for tourists and locals alike.Key Takeaways
- Asia's largest tulip garden opened in Srinagar.
- Features 1.5 million tulip bulbs.
- Located at the base of the Zabarwan mountain range.
- Annual Tulip Festival celebrates the blooms.
- Originally envisioned in 2007 to promote tourism.
Srinagar, March 26 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Omar Abdullah, inaugurated Asia’s largest tulip garden on Wednesday. Located in Srinagar, this stunning garden, known as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, features 1.5 million tulip bulbs that are set to bloom over the next month.
The tulip garden in Srinagar has become a significant attraction for both tourists and locals, who flock to the park annually to witness the vibrant blooms.
After the inauguration, CM Omar Abdullah toured the garden and expressed optimism that this site would remain a landmark in Kashmir’s tourism industry.
Spanning approximately 74 acres, the garden is the largest of its kind in Asia and is positioned at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range, designed in a terraced layout with seven levels providing a panoramic view of Dal Lake.
Conceived in 2007 by Ghulam Nabi Azad, the then Chief Minister of J&K, the garden aims to enhance floriculture and tourism in the Kashmir Valley.
Previously known as Siraj Bagh, around 1.75 million tulip bulbs, in various hues, were imported from the tulip gardens of Amsterdam.
In addition to the tulips, the garden boasts 46 varieties of flowers, such as hyacinths, daffodils, and ranunculus, also sourced from Holland.
The tulip garden hosts approximately 75 varieties of tulips. Access to the garden is managed via ticket sales for visitors.
The Tulip Festival is an annual event designed to highlight the diversity of flowers in the garden, contributing to the government of J&K's tourism initiatives. It takes place at the start of the spring season in the Kashmir Valley.
Originating in Persia (Iran), tulips were introduced to Europe in the 17th century, evolving into various forms. Holland is recognized as the largest tulip producer, cultivating them in mountainous regions that stretch from Europe to Central Asia. The planting of tulips commences in September, prior to the winter months.
