Kashmir’s Annual Tulip Festival: Exploring the Kaleidoscopic Spectacle

Kashmir is also called the Paradise of Earth. The Tulip festival has significantly contributed to the city getting the name. Jammu and Kashmir are known for their snow-covered mountains, lush green valleys and beautiful lakes. But every year, the Tulip festival showcases a range of flowerbeds with rare flowers. Organised at the onset of the spring season by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the Tulip festival sees an influx of tourists and flower lovers visiting the city. It boosts tourism as well as the hotel industry and finding good family hotels in Jammu and Kashmir gets tricky during the festival. 

About the Garden

Spring is believed by many to be the perfect season. It brings new life and makes the world seem greener and brighter. In Jammu and Kashmir, the spring season is even more special as it turns the city into a rainbow land. The Tulip festival is one of its own kind and is held in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, which is also Asia’s largest Tulip garden. 

Located at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range and facing the breathtaking Dal Lake, the park consists of seven flowerbeds, each of a different colour from the rainbow. Apart from tulips, the garden is also home to other flowers such as daffodils, hyacinths, etc. 

 

About Kashmir’s Annual Tulip Festival

The kaleidoscopic spectacle has a rich history. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir ordered the planting of tulips in this region to enhance the beauty of Kashmir. Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, the tulips were brought in multiple colours from the Keukenhof tulip gardens of Amsterdam, Whereas, the other flower ranges were also brought from Holland.

The very first festival was organised in 2007 by the J&K tourism department to promote the state’s tourism. It attracts thousands of tourists and visitors not only from the country but also from other parts of the world . 

The intricate design of the garden lets you see the parallel rows of different coloured tulips because it consists of seven terraces on a slight slope that gives you the entire garden’s view from any direction. Apart from the breathtaking scenery, you can also visit several decorated stalls selling souvenirs, Kashmiri cuisine and handicrafts outside the park. The authorities have also arranged basic amenities such as drinking water, washrooms and WiFi. 

Other Details About The Festival

• The entry fee for children is Rs 25/- and for adults, it is Rs 50/-.
• The timings for the festival start from 9 am to 7 pm.

Main Attraction During The Annual Tulip Festival

There are many other things tourists and visitors can do while attending the annual Tulip Festival, some of which are mentioned below.

• Mughal Gardens: If you go to Kashmir, you should not miss out on The Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. Experience exquisite design, beautiful architecture, and serene surroundings.
• Gondola Ride: When in Kashmir, take a gondola ride. The view of snow-capped mountains will stay in your memories long after you have experienced the valley’s scenic beauty.
• Pari Mahal: Why miss out on Kashmir’s history? Pari Mahal is located on a hill from where you can view the Dal lake splendidly. It is one of the most loved top sightseeing place in the city for history and nature lovers.
• Local Cuisine: Enjoy the rich flavours of Kashmiri cuisine. Tourists can sample unique preparations like Rogan Josh, Kashmiri Pulao, and Gushtaba.

Plan in Advance

Since the flowers bloom only for a fortnight in a year, you must plan your trip to Kashmir in advance. However, the exact time of the blooming flowers may vary according to the temperature. Therefore, many people wanting to witness the mesmerising beauty of the Tulip festival book their hotels in advance. OYO family hotels in Jammu and Kashmir make finding the perfect accommodation pocket friendly. Here are a few reasons why choosing OYO will make your stay even more wonderful. 

• OYO offers different categories of stay so that you can choose as per your preference and budget.
• It has a highly flexible reservation policy and offers standardised hospitality.
• All basic amenities and facilities are available in every OYO family hotel in all cities.
• OYO services can be availed of by students, solo travellers, couples, and families.
• Besides your vacation, OYO makes your stay so pleasant that it becomes a staycation!

The Best Time to Visit

If you want to witness the beauty of the top sightseeing places in Kashmir, go there between March-end and early April. To become a part of the annual Tulip festival, you should reach Srinagar during the first and second weeks of April. The weather remains neither too cold nor too hot. Make sure you choose the right family hotels in Kashmir to enjoy watching the colourful blooms throughout the city.

Conclusion

The Tulip festival is indeed a treat for the eyes and has been used in several classic Bollywood movies. But you do not have to wait for a director to show you the dreamy place in a movie. Book your family hotel in Jammu and Kashmir before time and witness one of nature’s mesmerising beauties with your own eyes.