Have you ever stepped into an arbour and felt like wow… that is truly beautiful? Well, imagine the same kind of view, but on a larger scale at the Tulip Festival held at the Tulip Garden in Srinagar. Your Kashmir vacays are incomplete without a trip to this beautiful garden. Called the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, it is one of the largest gardens in Asia. Snuggled on the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range at an altitude of 5600 ft, overlooking the fabulous Dal Lake in Siraj Bagh, this garden is home to several flower species other than tulips like the Daffodils, Hyacinths, Roses, Ranunculi, Muscaria, Iris, etc.
Are you planning a Kashmir trip? Then you must not miss one of the most stunning experiences: the Tulip Festivals In Kashmir! Imagine walking through a kaleidoscope field of over 1.5 million tulips, each one a different colour, painting the landscape in a stunning rainbow of hues. These Tulip Festivals in Kashmir, held annually at the enchanting Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, are an artist’s palette come to life, usually marking the start of spring in April.
Apart from the tulips, there are plenty more places to visit in Kashmir, such as the exquisite Dal Lake and the scenic Gulmarg. If you’re looking for things to do in Kashmir, consider taking a Shikara ride or trekking in the neighbouring mountains. But first, let your senses be captivated by the flowers!
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.
Earlier known as Siraj Bagh or Model Folriculture Center The Tulip Garden In Srinagar is named after former prime minister of India Indira Gandhi (Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden).
Over looking the world famous Dal Lake in the foot hills of Zabarwan mountains, Srinagar tulip garden is located at distance of 8Kms from Lal Chowk (The Main City Center) of Srinagar, 18 kms from Srinagar International Airport and 17 kms from Srinagar Railway Station.
Once called the Model Floriculture Center, the Tulip Garden was first opened in 2007 by the former Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad. The Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh, and Chashma Shahi Garden surround this gorgeous garden on three sides.
This flower field was the first largest landscaping project undertaken by the government after the Mughals built pleasure spots in Kashmir in the 16th century.
Spread over 30 acres, this terraced garden is built on a mountain slope. There are seven terraces each with a different variety of flowers, especially tulips. With more than 46 varieties and 15 lakh tulips, new flowers are added each year. The tulip is a novelty; however, the climatic conditions of Kashmir are most suited for it.
Spread across about 30 hectors the garden is the largest Tulip garden in Asia. Blooming with more than 1.5 million tulips of about 48 varieties. The Tulip garden in Srinagar also hosts many other species of flowers like ranunculus, hyacinths and daffodils and a very rare tree called Tulip Tree which also blooms at the same time.
Tulips are considered most delicate and sensitive flowers and can grow in a perticular climatic conditions. The climate of Kashmir valley in the end of March is perfect for these flowers to bloom and they are among the first blooming flowers in the Valley.
Open Hours: 9am to 7pm Mon-Sun.
Entry Fee: INR50 for adults and INR25 for children
How to Reach Srinagar Tulip Garden
The Kashmir Tulip Garden is accessible by road from the airport in Srinagar. You can reach the destination (Tulip garden) hiring a cab/taxi from the airport. Another means is to avail the bus facility as service charges are at a minimal fare. The tulip garden is about 22km from Srinagar Airport (Sheikh ul Alam International Airport Srinagar). You can easily hire a taxi to reach Tulip garden from the airport.
The nearest railway station to this garden is Srinagar Railway station, which is 18 km away. You can book a cab in advance from KashmirCarBooking to pick you up from the Srinagar Railway station.
The distance from Lal chowk to Tulip garden is 8 km, so it’s a perfect spot for a day trip! Just hire a taxi from Lal chowk and enjoy the beautiful garden.
The Best Time to Visit Srinagar
The best time to visit the Tulip Garden is between March-end and early April. If you fancy visiting the annual Tulip festival, then make it a point to reach Srinagar during the 1st two weeks of April. The weather is cool, pleasant throughout the year in Srinagar. April to October is the best time to visit if you love seeing colourful blossoms all over the city.
Kashmir Tulip Festival
The Kashmir Tulip Festival is scheduled to take place from March 19 to April 20, 2024. This is the period when the tulips are in full bloom, creating an enchanting spectacle you won’t want to miss.
Govt of Jammu and Kashmir organizes Kashmir Tulip festival every year to celebrate the onset of tourism season in Kashmir in the month of April as part of Bahaar-e-Kashmir event in Srinagar. This festival is intended to bring more tourists to valley of Kashmir and many programmes like cultural events , music shows, food festival and travel agents conferences are organized by the government during this period.
You can book a Kashmir Tulip Garden Tour from Indeed Holidays Srinagar to be a part of Kashmir Tulip Festival, Srinagar Tulip Garden is scheduled to be opened for public from 20th Mach. Kashmir Tulip Festival is celebrated every year in the month of april.
Every year tulip garden is opened for public in the month of March when the tulips start to bloom in the garden. The Garden remains open till end of April and then its closed for public. According to commissioner/secretary of the Floriculture department Sheikh Fayaz because of comparatively better weather this season, the tulip garden is to be be thrown open earlier than usual this year.
The best time to visit Srinagar Tulip Garden and see the tulips in full bloom is from 1st to 3rd week of April. In 2019 2.59 Lakh people visited this garden including foreign and domestic tourists. Which generated a revenue of Rs 58 lakh for the department of Tourism Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir.
Opening Date of Tulip Garden 2024
As per latest information from Srinagar Municipal Corporation & Department of Floriculture which are incharge and responsible of the Tulip festival happening in Indira Gandhi Memorial Kashmir Tulip Garden It is expected to commence from 19th of March 2024. But it can vary as per the weather changes. As of this Year some more varieties of Tulips have been added and also more land has been added to accommodate 15 Lakh tulip flowers for the Year 2024.
Attractions Around Srinagar Tulip Garden:
There are many other tourist attractions in close vicinity to the famous tulip garden in Srinagar that you can visit on your tour to Siraj Bagh.
Botanical Garden: Jawahar Lal Memorial Botanical Garden spread over 197 acres this garden was built in 1969 in memory of Indian prime minister Jawahar lal Nehru is the closet attraction to tulip garden Srinagar. In fact the two garden share same peripheral wall. Hosting a variety of about 150,00 ornamental plants and a huge collection of oak varieties. It also has a rare collection of Kashmiri tropical plants.
Cheshma Shahi: A ruminant of the Mughal period cheshma Shahi meaning Royal Springs is small and charming. It was laid out by the Mughal Governor Ali Mardan Khan for Emperor Shah Jahan. 2.2 Kms away Cheashm Shahi is at five minute drive from Tulip Garden Srinagar. Shah Jahan built a pavilion and laid out the Mughal garden in three terraces, each above the other by 18 feet. Cheshma Shahi is famous for the pure and refreshing spring that flows from it.
Pari Mahal: Another Mughal period ruminant Pari Mahal ( the Palace of Farris) is 3.8 Kms from Siraj Bagh on the same Cheshma Shahi Road. Its a seven terraced garden over looking Dal Lake and Srinagar City.
Royal Springs Golf Course: 2.7 kms from IGM Tulip Garden Royal Springs Golf Course on Boulevard Road was designed American golfer Robert Trent Jones Jr. This Golf course is the No.1 golf course in India. With all modern golf course amenities. Royal Springs Golf course is also considered to be the most picturesque Golf course in Asia.
Nishat Bagh: 3.3 Kms away on Boulevard road is another famous tourist attraction Nishat Bagh. In 1633 it was built by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan wife of Mughal empror Shah Jehan. Meaning the Garden of Gladness this terraced garden commands a magnificent view of the lake beneath the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range that stands far away to the west of the valley.
Shalimar Bagh: Meaning “abode of love.” Mughal Emperor Jahangir built this gardens in 1619, it was a gift for his wife, Nor Jahan. At 12 min drive just 6.2kms on boulevard road is one of the largest Mughal gardens of Kashmir valley Shalimar Bagh. This beautiful garden, covering a prime 31-acre (12.4-hectare) area on the eastern banks of Kashmir’s Dal Lake, is a must to visit place in Srinagar.
Zabarwan Park: At 4kms on return drive of 6min from Tulip garden is latest built Zabarwan Park. The park is good to eat place closet to Nehru park Srinagar with you can enjoy Kashmiri folk music here performed live by folk singers of Kashmir in evening, besides that park has a 3d cinema Hall Ample parking and many other amenities. you can visit the park on return from other tourist attraction on boulevard road.
FAQ’S
When does the Tulip Festival in Kashmir take place?
The Tulip Festival in Kashmir typically takes place during the onset of spring, usually in March and April. The festival lasts for about a month, offering visitors ample time to experience the colourful bloom of over 1.5 million tulips.
When can we see tulips in Kashmir?
Kashmir Tulip Festival is celebrated every year in the month of april. Every year tulip garden is opened for public in the month of March when the tulips start to bloom in the garden. The Garden remains open till end of April and then its closed for public.
Why is the Tulip Festival celebrated in Kashmir?
Tulip festival is an annual celebration that aims to showcase the range of flowers in the garden as a part of tourism efforts by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. It is organized during the onset of spring season in Kashmir valley.
What is the best month of tulips?
A blooming tulip field in March is also very rare but possible. Most people want to see the outdoor tulip fields. The best month to see tulips in Holland is April. The best chance of having the most beautiful tulip fields is from mid-April to early May 2024.
Where is tulip festival famous?
Tulip festival is an annual celebration that aims to showcase the magic of Tulips in the world famous Tulip garden as part of tourism efforts by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. It is organized during the onset of spring season in Kashmir valley.
