Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

Kashmir boasts of Asia`s biggest tulip garden, named Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden at Siraj Bagh Cheshmashahi in Srinagar. Oozing with beauty and charm, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden, set against the backdrop of the majestic snow-clad majestic Himalayan range is a major tourist attraction.

Previously named as Model Floriculture Centre, Tulip Garden, also known as Siraj Bagh. Spread over an area of 750 kanals (37.5 hectares) of land, it is situated on the foothills of Zabarwan Range with an overview of picturesque world famous Dal Lake. It`s breathtaking scenery has attracted lakhs of people - local, students and tourists.

Offering an exquisite sight, the Tulip Gardens are also known as Silsila Gardens because the famous Bollywood song “Dekha ek khwab” from the movie Silsila starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha was picturised in these gardens. And several other films were filmed in the garden. The garden is the perfect place for photographers to hone their skills and capture nature’s beauty.

The garden was opened in 2008 and it was the idea of Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister, of Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2006-07 with the aim to boost floriculture and advance tourism in Kashmir Valley.

It was completed after a 400-odd labourers and gardeners worked round-the-clock in three shifts to give final touches to the garden before opening its beautifully-built gate plaza for visitors.

It is difficult to predict the exact number of tulips that would bloom as it was subjected to favourable weather conditions. But, about 60 varieties of tulips that make a rainbow like pattern including, red, orange, purple, white, pink, parrot and yellow colours in the garden. The sprawling tulips of varied colours make the garden look like a silken carpet with intricate designs.

The garden also plays host to the famous annual Tulip festival around the month of April that continues for 7 days. In April, tulips are usually in full bloom in and around Srinagar, lending an ethereal atmosphere to the valley, which has been dubbed by many as Paradise on Earth. About 3.50 lakh saplings have been imported from Holland (Holland is globally renowned for its tulips) this year.

Cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and preparation of traditional Kashmiri cuisine forms an eminent part of the entertainment of visitors during the festival.

Near to this, are Shalimar Garden, Nishat Garden, Chashm-e-Shahi Gardens and other Mughal Gardens.