Apart from its snow-clad mountains and gushing rivers and lakes, Kashmir is also known for its beautiful magnificent gardens which have alluring scenes of colorful flowers. Tulip Garden in Srinagar is One of the most popular gardens of Kashmir located in Srinagar city at the foothills of the Zabarwan range.
Also known as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, it is one of Asia’s largest tulip garden which offer a serene sight of about 60 varieties of tulips growing all the garden.
Tulip Garden which is in Srinagar is commonly known as Siraj Bagh and is located on the banks of famous Dal Lake. Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden was opened back in 2007 to boost tourism and floriculture in Srinagar city.
Tulip Garden in Srinagar is open for tourists in the spring season from late March to early April. This garden is more spacious as compared to other Mughal gardens of Srinagar with thousands of beautiful tulips imported from Holland. Tourists can enjoy here different shades of tulips like red, yellow, pink, orange, purple, and white.
Besides tulips, 46 varieties of flowers such as hyacinth, daffodil, and ranunculus, which were flown from Amsterdam are found in the tulip garden in Srinagar.
Kashmir’s Tulip Festival
Tulip Garden hosts a tulip festival every year during the peak blooming season which starts from late March to April. Kashmir’s tulip festival is an attempt by the Jammu and Kashmir government to increase tourism and highlight the natural beauty of the area.
Every year, the tulip garden is open for tourists from late March and the tulip festival takes place in April.
The tulip festival of Kashmir has gained popularity all over the world due to exponential growth in both the variety and quantity of tulips.
The tulip Festival is intended to draw the attention of worldwide tourists and to showcase a beautiful array of tulips of different hues in just one garden.
In 2024, the tulip garden was opened for tourists from March 20 with five new varieties of tulips being added.
Local attractions around the tulip garden in Srinagar.
There are many beautiful local attractions around Tulip Garden in Srinagar which you can visit during your trip to Siraj Bagh
- Dal Lake:- Just a short distance from the tulip garden, Dal Lake is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Srinagar. During your trip to Asia’s largest tulip garden, you can also book a shikara ride and enjoy the mesmerizing views of the world-famous Dal Lake.
- Cheshma Shahi:- Chashma Shahi is a five-minute drive from Tulip Garden Srinagar. Known by the name Royal Spring, Chashma Shahi is an eye-catching garden nestled in the Zabarwan range. This garden was built by Mughal governor Ali Mardan and it has three terraces each above the other. Chashmi Shahi is famous for its pure natural springs and terraced architecture of gardens.
- Pari Mahal: Another Mughal period jewel, Pari Mahal ( the Palace of Farris) is 3.8 Km from Siraj Bagh on the same Cheshma Shahi Road. It’s a seven-terraced garden with intricately carved stone arches, overlooking Dal Lake and Srinagar City.
- Royal Springs Golf Course: 2.7 km from Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, Royal Springs Golf Course on Boulevard Road was designed by American golfer Robert Trent Jones Jr. This Golf course is the No.1 golf course in India with all modern golf course amenities.
- Nishat Bagh:- another garden situated close to the tulip garden is Nishat Bagh which is a famous tourist attraction built in 1633 A.D by Asif Khan. Nishat Bagh is popular for its panoramic views of Dal Lake beneath the snow-capped Pir Panjal range.
- Shalimar Bagh:- another well-known tourist attraction near Tulip Garden is Shalimar Bagh which is located on the eastern banks of Dal Lake. Shalimar which means ‘abode of love’ was built by Jahangir in 1619 AD as a gift of love for his wife Nur Jahan. This garden features terraced lawns, colorful flower beds, and refreshing fountains offering a delightful experience to tourists amid lush green trees.
Things to do in Tulip Garden in Srinagar Kashmir
- Admire the tulip blooms: you can spend time strolling through the garden pathways and marvel at the vibrant hues of tulips in various shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, white, and purple. As tulips are the main attraction of the garden, you can take a walk in the garden immersing yourself in the beauty of blooming tulips.
- Photography:- if you are a nature lover who likes to capture nature in pictures, then you should definitely go for photography in a tulip garden. You can capture amazing shots of colorful tulips in the backdrop of the Zabarwan range.
- Attend cultural events:- during the onset of the Tulip festival, you can enjoy a variety of events, cultural performances, and music competitions added with breathtaking views of vibrant tulips.
- Relax and picnic: you can simply just visit the tulip garden to enjoy the view of the garden with your friends and family.
- Explore nearby attractions:- while visiting Tulip Garden, you can also explore other local attractions such as Chashma Shahi and Nishat Bagh which will enhance your experience.
- Shop for souvenirs: you can also shop for souvenirs, local handicrafts and things which are sold by local vendors on stalls at the gate of the tulip garden.
- Enjoy local cuisine: make your visit to Tulip Garden a wholesome one, by trying Kashmir’s traditional drink called Kehwa which is sold at the food stalls in the garden premises. Kahwa is a local Kashmiri drink prepared by mixing water with some spices and served hot with Kashmiri roti or kulcha.
The best time to visit the tulip garden in Srinagar
Srinagar is open for tourists all over the year but the best time to visit the tulip garden in Srinagar is from the last week of March to the middle of April. During this period, tulips are in full bloom giving a visual feast to the eyes.
April is considered the best time for visiting the tulip garden as the weather is pleasant and also the tulip festival takes place in the month of April.
Besides, the spring season offers you a crowd-free experience to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir as the tourist footfall mostly begins in the summer season.
How to reach Srinagar Tulip garden
Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is situated 18 km away from Srinagar International Airport, 17 km from Srinagar railway station, and just 8 km from Lal Chowk ( the heart of Srinagar city).
You can book a cab from a local tour operator at affordable prices or you can also visit Tulip Garden through a local public bus which is easily available from Lal Chowk Srinagar.
The nearest bus stop to Tulip Garden is on Boulevard Road near Chashma Shahi which is just a walking distance of 900 metres from Tulip Garden.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At what time does the tulip garden open for tourists?
The garden remains open for visitors from 8 am in the morning to 7 pm in the evening. However, based on the volume of the crowd and weather, timings may sometimes vary.
What are the ticket prices for the tulip garden?
Ticket prices range from Rs. 75 for adults Rs. 30 for children and Rs 200 for foreign visitors . you can purchase your tickets at the ticket counters which are located outside the tulip garden.
Are there facilities available at the Tulip Garden?
Yes, the Tulip Garden provides facilities such as parking, entry tickets, restroom facilities, refreshment stalls, and seating areas for visitors. The garden is also wheelchair accessible, making it inclusive for people of all ages and abilities.
How many varieties of tulips are there in the Tulip Garden?
The Tulip Garden in Srinagar has a vast collection of tulip varieties, including thousands of bulbs imported from Holland. tourists can enjoy a colorful display of tulips in various shades, including pink, orange, yellow, purple, white, and red.
