A rainbow on earth

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, formerly known as SirajBagh is one of the most popular and hot-spot tourist destinations in Srinagar Kashmir. It was opened in 2007 with the aim to boost tourism sector in Kashmir.

The garden is located at the foothills of Zabarwan Mountain and with its stunning array of tulips in full bloom, the garden is a sight to behold. Sadly  it only lasts for 20 days  after which the tulips start losing their color and stance.

Nearly 1.7 million Tulips of various colours and hues will be on display this season. Last year 3.70 lakh tourists visited the garden while the number was 3.6 lakh and 2.3 lakh in 2022 and 2021 respectively.

Its exceptional status has been engraved in the prestigious World Book of Records (London), a testament to its grandeur. This year new varieties of tulips have been added besides expanding the existing garden area, bringing the total number of varieties to 73.

Tulips in Kashmir remain in bloom for 15-20 days from late March to mid April depending upon the temperature. The Tulip garden not only boasts a splendid collection of tulips but also serves as a haven for a myriad of flower species.

The garden has been divided into 36 plots with 16-18 beds in each plot. There are three parks also inside the garden where the visitors can sit and visualize themselves in a sea of colours, dominated by the Zabarwan hills. Various small ornamental trees including the tulip tree decorate the sides of the numerous paths of the garden.

The tulips are planted in rows and each row has a different variety of tulip. In addition to tulips, many other species of flowers are also there, including hyacinths, daffodils and ranunculus. This garden also has a number of walkways and fountains that make it an ideal place for people to spend their leisure time in a pleasant environment.

It is a seven terraced garden and the water channel flowing through these terraces is what gives the place its unique charm and makes it a perfect spot for families as well as couples who can get some memorable pictures clicked here. It has an area of around 30 hectares and is the largest tulip garden in Asia.

An annual tulip festival is organized by the tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a must-see event for all types of travelers because it not only showcases the natural beauty of the tulip garden, but also gives visitors a taste of Kashmiri culture through its handicrafts, cuisine, and music.

The prime location of the Tulip Garden makes it the most visiting place in Srinagar. This park is surrounded by scenic hills, attractive gardens of Mughal era and most importantly, it overlooks the awe-inspiring Dal Lake.

Some other attractions that lie in close proximity are Chashme Shahi Garden. This garden is center of attraction for housing a natural spring that flows from it, Pari Mahal – overlooking the amazing Chashm-e-Shahi Gardens.