Every year, over 60 million tulip bulbs travel from Holland to hunker down in the cold earth of Siraj Bagh in Srinagar. Come spring, the first rays of the April sun stretch out over the Zabarwan Range, thawing the shimmering surface of the Dal Lake. The first blooms burst through the soil and unfurl into a carpet of blossoms nearly 5 hectares across. It’s the largest tulip garden in all of Asia.
WHEN TO Go
The garden, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, opens its gates on the 29th of March. The dates of the actual festival vary depending on the estimated time of blooming. This usually falls between the 5th and 10th of April. The festival lasts for a little under three weeks. Lose yourself in the flowerbeds that have lit up generations of Hindi film backgrounds, swaying in the cool breeze as couples prance wantonly in the sun. Neat rows of yellows, reds, pinks and variegated varieties stretch out as far as the eye can see.
Stay for the charming Tulip Festival
Since all these efforts are made mostly to promote Kashmir’s tourism, the Tulip Festival in Srinagar is completed by a huge song and dance bonanza showcasing Kashmiri folk culture and Kashmiri food. Pick up some elegantly embroidered jackets and delicately painted lac boxes to take home. You can also deck yourself out in full Kashmiri kit for a photo op.
Getting there
All the major North Indian cities are well connected to Srinagar by road. But you can also catch a flight straight into Srinagar or a train to Jammu.
Go on, Plan Your Trip now to visit to the beautiful Tulip Festival in Srinagar today!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tulip Festival is an annual spring festival held in Srinagar, Kashmir, showcasing the vibrant bloom of millions of tulips in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. It’s a celebration of nature’s beauty and the arrival of spring in the Kashmir Valley, aiming to promote tourism and floriculture in the region.
You can expect to witness a breathtaking display of millions of tulips of various colors and varieties spread across the terraced garden, which is the largest tulip garden in Asia, covering about 30 hectares. Besides tulips, the garden also features other spring flowers like hyacinths, daffodils, and ranunculus. The festival also often includes cultural programs, local Kashmiri cuisine stalls, handicrafts exhibitions, and musical performances, offering a taste of the local culture.
Yes, there is an entry fee to visit the Tulip Garden. For Indian citizens, the ticket price is usually around ₹75 for adults and ₹30 for children. For foreign tourists, the ticket price is around ₹200. The garden is typically open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM during the festival.
About Harsh Sonawala
Harsh Sonawala is the co founder of India Someday and since his childhood, he has travelled to different parts of India and the world. The thrill of travelling and sharing his experiences with others was the reason behind starting India Someday. Other than the office where he is conjuring up marketing ideas, he can be found scuba diving in the Andamans or relaxing in a chalet in the Himalayas.
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