Asia's Largest Tulip Garden In Kashmir Will Open On Sunday, Here Is How You Can Plan Your Visit
Arguably one of the best sights tourists can enjoy in Kashmir will be opened for visitors on Sunday, March 19.?The famous Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden will be opened to visitors from across the country on Sunday.
15 lakh tulips at the garden
Besides 15 lakh tulips of various colours and hues, the garden, also known as Siraj Bagh, will have other spring flowers, such as hyacinths, daffodils, muscari and cyclamens, on display at Asia's largest tulip garden, nestled between Dal Lake and the Zabarwan hills.
Originally known as Siraj Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was opened in 2008 by then chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who conceived the idea to bridge the lean tourist arrival period between the winter and summer seasons in the valley.
What is special in 2023?
The Tulip Garden is spread over 52.5 hectares and has over 15 lakh flowers.
This year there will be a rainbow of tulip colours, including yellow, red, crimson, purple and white.
"Every year, we expand this garden and new varieties are here. This year we have extended the fountain channel.... It should set an example of gardening professionalism across the globe," Inam-ul-Rehman, in charge of the tulip garden, told PTI.
Staff work round the year in the garden?
While the tulip bloom remains from three to five weeks only, it is hard work for the ground staff throughout the year to ensure that the quality of the bulbs is maintained year after year.
"We are busy round the year in preparing the garden for the bloom period in March-April. Then we examine the tulips to check for diseases. In May and June, we start harvesting, which takes three months," Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, the supervisor of the garden, said.
Digging up the soil and adding fertilisers is done in October. "In November, we sow tulip bulbs. Throughout the year, the gardeners stay busy with this," Mir said.
"Work is going on day and night. We have a heavy flow of inquiries from outside Kashmir regarding the opening of the garden," he added.
Expecting good turnout?
The staff at the tulip garden are expecting a good footfall of tourists this year.?
"Last year, it was a good season here as we had two lakh visitors and we hope it will be better this time," Mir said.
How to reach, book your ticket?
Tourists planning to visit the Tulip Garden can book their tickets online. The ticket price is Rs 50 for adults and Rs 25 for children.
Visitors can reach the Tulip Garden by road from Srinagar Airport, which is 22 km away or from Srinagar Railway station, which is at a distance of 18 km.
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