Ajit Karn
Srinagar: Since its opening 10 days ago, the world’s largest tulip garden has attracted more than 1.35 million tourists to witness its breathtaking splendor.
The 52.5-hectare Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, nestled between the renowned Dal Lake and Zabarwan Hills in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, features 16 lakh tulip bulbs of various colors and 68 distinct varieties.
Inam-ul-Rehman, who is in control of the tulip garden, stated that the majority of visitors have been vacationers.
“Approximately 1.35 lakh visitors have already visited our garden, with approximately 70% of them coming from outside the Union territory,” Mr. Rehman told the news agency.
The number of visitors to the garden was 3,600,000 last year, the greatest since its opening to the public.
Mr. Rehman stated that the department of floriculture, which administers the garden, anticipates a large number of visitors again this year.
In addition to 16 lakh tulips, the garden, also known as Siraj Bagh, features other spring blossoms, such as hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens, to enchant the visitors.
This year, four new tulip varieties have been introduced, bringing the total to 68, as stated by Mr. Rehman.
Mr. Rehman explained that the garden’s design is based on the spectrum colors observed at the foothills of Zabarwan.
This year, the central fountain channel was extended to higher terraces, according to him. The attractiveness of the landscape is enhanced by the presence of a towering fountain and waterfalls.
“We’ve installed ornamental lighting for the evening, and many visitors remain in the garden until late at night,” he added.
Surmil, a tourist from Mumbai, declared that she is in love with the garden.
“I love this place. It has been an amazing experience. The people are also very nice and friendly. The garden is very large, beautiful, and surrounded by colorful flowers,” he said.
Rachna and Ayushi, both from Mumbai and on their first visit to the valley, were at a loss for words when describing the garden’s majesty.
The locations, the weather, the people, and the colors here are all ethereal. We have never seen such a gorgeous garden. It is literally paradise on earth, they said.
Another tourist, Devender Singh of Jaipur, Rajasthan, remarked that they were “fortunate” to visit the valley when the tulips were in full blossom.
“This is our first visit. We had only heard about the tulip garden, but now we have seen it. We are fortunate that it is open while we are here. I have never seen a garden like this anywhere else. This is a wonderful experience. We have not seen many of the tulip varieties that are here,” Singh said.
Shreyas Upay, from Bikaner, was mesmerized by the garden’s beauty and “very delighted” with her visit; she said, “I think this is the best place to visit.” Arun Kumar, a native of Gujarat who resides in South Africa, said he has never seen anything so beautiful.
This garden is breathtaking. I believe it is one of the most gorgeous gardens in the world. There are so many tulips, so much grandeur, and so many cascades; it is truly a paradise. While the majority of visitors were captivated by the sight of the flowers and could not resist taking photographs of them, those who wished to contact the bulbs were disappointed by the fences surrounding the flower plots.
It would have been incredible if we could have touched the tulips, but they have been surrounded by barriers, so we are unable to do so.
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The department anticipates a large number of visitors and an extended duration of the bloom, barring any adverse weather conditions.
It is a weather-dependent phenomenon, as Mr. Rehman stated. “There is a forecast of mild temperatures (in the coming days), and in that case, their life will be extended; otherwise, in scorching heat, their life will decrease.”
