What is the Kashmir Tulip Festival?

The Tulip festival is an annual celebration organized by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to promote tourism and aims to showcase the range of flowers in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Garden, also known as Kashmir Tulip Garden. It takes place during the onset of the spring season in Kashmir valley.

The Kashmir Tulip Garden is the largest in Asia. Situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountain Range in Srinagar, it is spread over approximately 30 hectares. Unparalleled both in its expanse and diversity, it has more than 20 lakh tulips of over 45 varieties.

Overlooking the famous Dal Lake of Kashmir, this garden has been an important cultural and natural landmark since it was opened in 2007 to boost floriculture and tourism in Kashmir. Since then, it has become a must-see for all kinds of nature lovers who visit Kashmir. 

When does the Tulip Festival take place?

It is hosted in Srinagar during the onset of Spring. This is the season when the tulips are in full bloom, thus making for a spectacular sight. The period for the Tulip Festival in 2023 will be commencing on 25th March. The bloom remains for 15-20 days from the last week of March to mid-April, depending upon the weather conditions. The best time to visit this garden is in mid-April when the tulips are fully in bloom and are spread over the region like a colorful blanket. 

What are the highlights of the Tulip Festival?

As mentioned before, Srinagar’s Tulip Garden is the largest tulip plantation in Asia, which makes it a very unique and beautiful visual to behold. Once known as the Model Floriculture Centre, the garden is home to a variety of flowering species, apart from tulips. Rare and beautiful flowers like daffodils, narcissus, hyacinths, and ranunculus can also be spotted here. 

However, the main attraction of the garden is the tulips. There is innumerable variation of tulips available in the garden and when they are in full bloom during the spring, it is a sight that would entice anyone. The sweet smell of the garden, the rows upon rows of colorful flowers, and the mild and mellow weather make for a perfect day trip for nature lovers and flower aficionados. 

Some of the varieties of tulips that can be seen in the garden during the festival are double-bloom tulips, parrot tulips, fringed tulips, bi-color tulips, Rembrandt tulips, fosteriana tulips, lily-flowering tulips, single late tulips, triumph tulips and many more. Tourists can get smitten by an unending plethora of colorful flowers, and can also take advantage of the facilities provided at the festival. 

The tulip flowers planted in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Garden were imported from Holland. Moreover, it is designed in a way that anyone can see the parallel rows of bright-colored tulips lined up in just one glimpse. Carved out of seven terraces, the garden looks like a tilted ground that gives you a view of the entire garden from all directions. 

Clean and comfortable washrooms, free Wi-Fi, fountains, and drinking and rest points are all provided for the comfort of visitors. They can also indulge in some shopping and buy souvenirs and handicrafts from the stalls placed near the garden. They can indulge in authentic Kashmiri cuisine at nearby food stalls and hotels. 

What other places can you visit near the Tulip Garden?

While visiting the Tulip Festival in Srinagar, tourists can also take detours to nearby attractions. The park is surrounded by natural and cultural sites that can appeal to tourists of all kinds. The Chashme Shahi Garden is renowned for the natural spring that flows from it. The Pari Mahal is a historic monument that used to be a Buddhist Monastery. The Mughal Gardens and Shalimar Bagh are iconic Mughal monuments that are rich in heritage as well as natural beauty. 

Similarly, tourists can visit Dal Lake, Nishat Garden, or Nagin Lake to take in the stunning sights there. Hazratbal, a sacred Muslim shrine provides a peaceful and spiritual experience. For those who wish to take back souvenirs and handicrafts, there are local markets near the Tulip Garden, where you can buy authentic shawls, carpets, rugs, and woolen clothes. 

How to reach Tulip Garden?  

By road – You can opt for a regular bus service from Lal Chowk Srinagar at a minimal fare. The nearest bus stop to the garden is on Boulevard road near Cheshma Shahi crossing at a walking distance of about 900m from the Tulip Garden. 

Srinagar is well-connected with cities like Jammu, Delhi, and Chandigarh. You should opt for JKSRTC buses to reach Srinagar and reach the destination. A shared taxi can be also hired from Lal Chowk or Dal Gate to reach the nearest bus stop on Boulevard road. 

By Air – Deboard at the Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar. The airport is well-connected with major domestic destinations and is 19km away from the garden. One can hire buses or private/shared taxis from the airport to reach Tulip Garden.

By Train – If you want to travel by train, you can either get off at Jammu Tawi or Udhampur railway station. They are well-connected with prominent cities in India. You can take private taxis or state government buses to reach Tulip Garden from the railway station. Trains are frequent from major Indian railheads. 

Entry fee for Kashmir Tulip Festival

For children – INR 25  

For adults – INR 50 

Timings of Kashmir Tulip Festival

The exhibition of colorful tulips starts at 9 AM and gates are closed at 7 PM. 

We can ensure you get the most out of this vibrant event and much more from the heavenly valleys of Kashmir. Check out the Kashmir tour package by Pravas for further details. We are waiting to serve you with the best deal and set you up for a great tour.