CM Omar Abdullah Extends ‘Paradise on Earth’ Invitation to Nature Lovers
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, March 26: Asia’s largest tulip garden, located in Srinagar—the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir—welcomed tourists and locals on Wednesday with a vibrant display of 1.7 million flowers across diverse varieties this season.
Established in 2008, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, also known as Siraj Bagh, spans 15 hectares and is poised to become the world’s second-largest tulip garden. It is renowned for housing rare tulip species and captivating visitors with its kaleidoscopic blooms.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the garden, clad in a traditional Kashmiri pheran. He toured the sprawling grounds and engaged with tourists, underscoring the garden’s significance to regional tourism.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister as per Kashmir Despatch highlighted the Tulip Show as a celebration of Kashmir’s diverse natural beauty and a key attraction for nature lovers worldwide.
He emphasized Jammu and Kashmir’s timeless charm and scenic landscapes, inviting tourists to explore its unmatched splendor.
Interacting with visitors, Chief Minister Abdullah welcomed them to the “Paradise on Earth”, encouraging them to cherish and share their experiences of the Tulip Garden in their home countries.
Accompanying the Chief Minister were Minister for Agriculture, Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, and several Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Senior officials present at the occasion included ACS to Chief Minister, Dheeraj Gupta; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; DC Srinagar Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat; Director Floriculture Kashmir Shakeel-ur-Rehman; and other senior officers from the Floriculture Department
Meanwhile, Long serpentine queues of locals and tourists marked the garden’s opening day, reflecting its growing popularity.
An official from the Floriculture Department informed Kashmir Despatch that the garden now features 73 tulip varieties, with its area expanded to accommodate the blooms. To improve accessibility, an additional four kanals (0.5 acres) of land have been allocated for parking.
“Each year, we introduce new attractions. This season, we’ve added floral surprises, vibrant color schemes, and varieties like daffodils and hyacinths,” the official said, emphasizing tulips’ pivotal role in boosting Kashmir’s tourism sector. “We anticipate record-breaking footfall this year.”
Last year, the garden attracted over 460,000 visitors, compared to 370,000 in 2022 and 360,000 in 2021.
Shakeel Ur Rehman, Director of the Tulip Garden, highlighted efforts to streamline visitor management. “QR codes and online ticket-booking facilities are available at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and the garden entrance to manage crowds effectively,” he told Kashmir Despatch.
Meanwhile, tourists were seen enjoying the first day amid a huge rush that began early in the morning.
“We’ve seen gardens like this in Europe, but it’s truly amazing to experience such a vast one here,” said a group of tourists from Karnataka—all bundled up in woollens.
Another group of students from Mumbai, speaking to Kashmir Despatch, expressed that visiting this garden is a dream come true, as it feels like stepping into paradise. They praised the efforts of the J&K Government for transforming the garden into such a beautiful space.
Jehangir, a tourist from Bangalore, told Kashmir Despatch: “My family and I have been in Kashmir for the past week, but with the anticipated opening of this garden, we held off on booking our return tickets. Now that we’ve visited it, our Kashmir trip feels complete.”
He added, “Exploring the Tulip Garden was a true delight, and we’ll take back vibrant memories with us.”
Jehangir also mentioned that he plans to revisit the garden next year with his friends.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
