Srinagar, April 19, 2025: The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, cradled beneath Srinagar’s Zabarwan Hills, is currently a breathtaking mosaic of 1.7 million tulips in full bloom, earning its title as Asia’s largest tulip garden. Since opening on March 26, 2025, the garden has welcomed a staggering 671,926 visitors in just 20 days, shattering previous records and drawing crowds to its vibrant display along the banks of Dal Lake.
Sprawling across 55 hectares, the garden—originally Siraj Bagh—features 73 tulip varieties, including newcomers like Ile de France and Double Flowering tulips, complemented by daffodils, hyacinths, and ranunculus. Its seven terraced levels, framed by the Zabarwan Hills, create a postcard-perfect setting that has become the heart of the Tulip Festival 2025. Launched by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the festival blends floral splendor with Kashmiri culture, offering folk music, handicraft stalls, and local delicacies like Kahwa and Gushtaba.
The unprecedented footfall—27,810 locals, 391,918 domestic tourists, and 2,198 international visitors—reflects Kashmir’s rising status as a safe and scenic destination. “Walking through the tulips with the Zabarwan Hills in the background feels like stepping into a painting,” said Anjali Rao, a tourist from Delhi. The festival has boosted local economies, with shikara rides, souvenir shops, and eateries thriving, building on the ₹58 lakh revenue generated in 2019.
Open from 9 AM to 7 PM, the garden charges ₹75 for adults, ₹30 for children, and ₹200 for foreign nationals, with online ticketing easing access. Weekday visits are recommended to dodge peak crowds, though parking constraints remain a challenge. The department has responded by expanding facilities and enhancing crowd management to accommodate the surge.
Photographers and nature lovers flock to capture the tulips’ vivid hues, often likening the garden to Amsterdam’s Keukenhof. “Every corner is a masterpiece,” said local photographer Sameer Wani. Nearby attractions like Chashme Shahi and Zabarwan Park add to the experience, making the garden a must-visit during Kashmir’s spring.
As the Tulip Festival 2025 approaches its end in late April, officials anticipate surpassing last year’s 465,000 visitors. The garden’s riot of colours, set against the serene Dal Lake and majestic hills, not only celebrates nature’s beauty but also heralds Kashmir’s renaissance as a global tourism hotspot.
