Asia’s largest tulip garden, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, opened its gates to the public today, ushering in the 2025 tourism season in the Kashmir Valley. Located between the tranquil Dal Lake and the picturesque Zabarwan Hills, the garden was inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who marked the occasion with a ceremonial walkthrough of its vibrant blooms.

Originally established in 2007 as Siraj Bagh by then-Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to extend J-K’s tourist season beyond summer and winter, the garden has evolved into a global draw. Spanning 55 hectares, it now showcases 1.7 million tulip bulbs across 74 varieties, including two new additions this year, alongside other spring flowers like hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens. Floriculture Department officials noted that phased planting ensures the tulips bloom for over a month, with a fresh color scheme enhancing this season’s appeal.

From its modest beginnings with 50,000 bulbs imported from the Netherlands, the garden has seen exponential growth. Last year, it welcomed a record 4.65 lakh visitors—up from 3.65 lakh in 2023—prompting upgrades like extended hours starting at 6 AM and improved parking. Now nearing its full expansion capacity, the garden remains a testament to Kashmir’s natural splendor and cultural allure.

CM Abdullah highlighted its significance in boosting tourism, a lifeline for the region’s economy. As visitors poured in to witness the floral spectacle against a mountainous backdrop, the Tulip Festival 2025 kicked off with promise, expected to draw even larger crowds through late April.