Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar | Indira Gandhi Memorial

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is in Srinagar, Kashmir. It is situated in the foothills of the Zabarwan range, opposite Dal Lake. It has been recognized by the World Book of Records (London) as the largest tulip garden in Asia. This garden is spread over 30 hectares i.e. 74 acres. It was established by-then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2007 to promote tourism and floriculture in the region.

The garden’s location offers great views of Dal Lake. The Himalayan mountains are in the background. The local Floriculture Department arranges the tulips across the seven terraced levels at the Tulip Garden in Srinagar. The department designs the layout and oversees the planting of the tulips to ensure a beautiful and extended bloom period for visitors. This creates a vibrant tapestry of colors. The garden opened on March 26 for the 2025 season. It displays around 1.7 million tulips of 74 varieties.

This park has become an important tourist destination in Kashmir. It attracts many tourists coming to the Kashmir valley. Thousands of people visit it within a few days of its opening.

Timings – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Ticket price – Adults: ₹75, Children (below 12 years): ₹30, Foreigners: ₹200

Table of Content

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
Tulip Festival in Srinagar
Tulip Varieties in the Garden
What to See and Do
Planning your visit
Nearby Attractions
Conclusion

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, formerly known as Model Floriculture Centre and Siraj Bagh, was established in 2007 with the primary objective of promoting floriculture and tourism in the Kashmir Valley. Located at the base of the Zabarwan mountain range with unparalleled views of the Dal Lake, this 30-hectare garden was strategically designed to showcase the horticultural potential of the region.

The garden was built with the objective of boosting tourism in Kashmir and represents a significant investment in Kashmir. Originally stocked with tulip bulbs brought from the famous Keukenhof gardens in Amsterdam, the garden has expanded its collection over the years. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, through its Department of Floriculture, maintains and operates this huge floral showcase.

The landscape includes walkways, fountains and water streams flowing through terraces, enhancing the visitor experience and creating many photogenic scenes.

Tulip Festival in Srinagar

The Tulip Festival in Srinagar, Kashmir, is an annual celebration of the blooming tulip season held at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. Colourful tulips spread far and wide, the beauty of the Himalayas and the view of Dal Lake, all together create unmatched beauty. The view here is something that will captivate your mind and create memories that you will never forget.

The annual Tulip Festival represents the crown jewel of Kashmir’s spring tourism season, officially marking the beginning of the tourist influx to the valley after the winter months. This festival, organized by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, serves as a celebration of the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage while showcasing the garden’s spectacular floral displays.

The 2025 Tulip Festival commenced with the garden’s opening on March 26, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah officially inaugurating the event. The opening day proved the garden’s enduring popularity, with over 17,000 visitors flocking to witness the blooming tulips on the very first day. This impressive attendance underscores the garden’s significance as a tourist attraction.

Tulip Varieties in the Garden

There is a diverse collection of tulips in the garden. You can witness over a million tulips in full bloom, with a wide variety of colors and varieties (over 60-70 different varieties). The 2025 season brings particular excitement with the introduction of two new tulip varieties imported from the Netherlands, expanding the garden’s already impressive collection. The tulips are meticulously planted in rows, with each row featuring a different variety, creating distinct bands of color across the landscape. This arrangement allows visitors to appreciate the subtle differences between varieties and creates a structured yet natural-looking display.

This season, it displays around 1.7 million tulips of 74 varieties. Last year, the garden displayed 72 tulip varieties. While this year, the number has increased to 74 with the addition of two new tulip varieties imported from the Netherlands – Triumph and Darwin Hybrids – which offer visitors an even more enchanting floral view.

This has added some new colour and charm to the garden. Apart from these 74 varieties of tulips, there are also daffodils, hyacinths, muscari, supreme blooming bulbs and trees in full bloom during this season.

What to See and Do

Cultural events: The festival often includes live music, traditional Kashmiri dance performances, and exhibitions showcasing local art, handicrafts, and cuisine.
Food and shopping: You can find stalls offering authentic regional dishes and handmade crafts.
Photography opportunities: The vibrant colors of the tulips against the backdrop of the Himalayan mountains offer fantastic photo opportunities.
Other flowers: Besides tulips, the garden also features other spring flowers like daffodils, hyacinths, and ranunculus, as well as blooming almond and apricot trees.
Facilities: The garden often provides facilities like free Wi-Fi, more fountains, washrooms, and drinking water points.

Planning your visit

Best time to Visit

It usually takes place during the first two weeks of April each year, but the exact dates can vary depending on the blooming period of the tulips. In 2025, the garden opened on March 23rd and is expected to remain open until around the third week of April (around April 23rd). The best time to visit to see the tulips in full bloom is generally considered to be the second week after the opening. The garden is typically open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily during the festival.

Tickets and Entry

There is an entry fee to visit the Tulip Garden in Srinagar. In 2025, the ticket prices are around:

Adults: ₹75
Children (below 12 years): ₹30
Foreigners: ₹200

You might be able to book tickets online, or they can be purchased at the entrance.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar, from where you can hire a taxi or take local transport to the garden (around 30-40 minutes drive).
By Road: Srinagar is well-connected to other cities by road. You can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach the Tulip Garden, which is about 9 km from the city center.
By Train: The nearest major railway stations are Jammu Tawi and Udhampur. From there, you can travel to Srinagar by road.

Tips for Visiting

Go early to avoid crowds and get the best light for photography.
The exact dates of peak bloom can vary slightly each year depending on the weather. So please check the bloom forecasts.
Spring weather in Kashmir can be unpredictable. So Dress in layers.
While some places might accept digital payments, it’s always good to have cash for entry tickets and local stalls.

The Tulip Festival in Srinagar is a must-visit if you are in Kashmir during the spring season, offering a breathtaking spectacle of nature’s beauty and a glimpse into the local culture.

Nearby Attractions

Here are some popular attractions located near the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar:

Dal Lake: This iconic lake is located very close to the Tulip Garden. You can enjoy a scenic Shikara ride, stay in a houseboat, or simply admire the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and gardens.
Mughal Gardens: Several famous Mughal gardens are situated near the Tulip Garden, including:
- Nishat Bagh: Known as the “Garden of Joy,” it’s a beautiful terraced garden on the eastern side of Dal Lake.
- Shalimar Bagh: The largest Mughal garden in Srinagar, built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Noor Jahan.
- Chashme Shahi: Famous for its natural spring and offers lovely views of Dal Lake.
Pari Mahal: Also known as the “Abode of Fairies,” this historic monument is a seven-terraced garden located atop the Zabarwan mountain range, offering panoramic views of Srinagar and Dal Lake. It’s situated above the Chashme Shahi gardens.
Shankaracharya Temple: Located on top of Shankaracharya Hill, this ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva offers spiritual solace and breathtaking views of the entire Srinagar valley and the snow-capped Pir Panjal range.
Botanical Garden: Situated near the base of a hill overlooking Dal Lake, this garden houses a variety of flora.
Hari Parbat Fort: This historical fort on Hari Parbat hill offers a glimpse into the region’s past and also has religious significance with a temple, shrines, and a Gurudwara within its vicinity.
Hazratbal Shrine: A significant Muslim shrine located on the left bank of Dal Lake, believed to house a relic of Prophet Muhammad.

These attractions are generally within a short driving distance from the Tulip Garden in Srinagar, making it convenient to explore them during your visit.

Conclusion

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a success. It shines in horticultural tourism. It also promotes cultural diplomacy. From its start in 2007, it grew. Now it is Asia’s largest tulip garden. It has become a symbol of Kashmir’s beauty. It also shows Kashmir’s resilience. The garden made Srinagar a global tulip destination. It offers an alternative to European displays. The garden’s impact goes beyond visitor numbers. It brings economic benefits to the region. It generates employment in horticulture and tourism. It is a powerful symbol of peaceful development in Kashmir.

The garden expands its collection and improves visitor experiences. It seems ready for continued success. Tulip blooms last only three weeks each spring. This reminds us of beauty’s transience. Each year’s festival is unique. People also highly anticipate it. Natural splendor and cultural significance combine. This creates economic impact. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar will remain a crown jewel. It will shine in Asian horticulture for years.

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