The iconic Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Asia's largest and the world's second-largest tulip garden, has witnessed a record-breaking influx of tourists this season. The garden, which was opened on March 23, attracted a staggering 4.35 lakh visitors, the highest since its inception in 2006, despite incessant rains and a fall in day temperatures in the valley due to light snowfall over the mountains.

The garden, which has earned a spot in the World Book of Records (London), was opened with over 1.7 million tulip bulbs, and the floriculture department added five more varieties of tulips, taking the overall types to 73. The temperature-sensitive flowers need temperature above 15 degrees and below 25 degrees, and the Valley witnessed intermittent rains in Spring, causing the temperatures to dip and delaying the bloom. However, despite the weather, the garden set a new record of arrivals this year.

The magnificent 30-hectare terraced garden is situated on the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range, on the banks of the Dal Lake in Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar. It was laid in 2006 and has caught the imagination of visitors from across the country and outside. This year, 80% of the visitors were tourists from various states, and over 1,000 foreign tourists also visited the garden.

The garden, which has played an important part in wooing more tourists during the past few years, was opened on March 23 with over 1.7 million tulip bulbs. The floriculture department added five more varieties of tulips, taking the overall types to 73. The average life of a tulip flower is 20 days, and it can stretch up to 25-30 days with overall bloom getting extended by adding late-blooming varieties of tulips. The temperature-sensitive flowers need temperature above 15 degrees and below 25 degrees. The Valley witnessed intermittent rains in Spring causing the temperatures to dip and delaying the bloom.

The garden is divided into 36 plots with 16-18 beds in each plot. There are three parks also inside the garden where the visitors can sit and visualise themselves in a sea of colours, dominated by the Zabarwan Mountains. Various small ornamental trees including the tulip tree decorate the sides of the numerous paths of the garden.

The garden played an important part in wooing more tourists during the past few years. Last year the garden witnessed an all-time high footfall of over 3.7 lakh visitors, including locals, up from 3.6 lakh visitors in 2022 and 2.3 lakh in 2021. This year, the garden has already surpassed last year's record with 4.35 lakh visitors, and the authorities expect the number to increase to 4.5 lakh as the day ends.

"The money flows when 4.5 lakh people visit a place just as the winter ends. This is very good for the tourism sector and for the people associated with it," said Asif Yatoo, incharge of the garden.

The garden is not just a tourist attraction but also a source of income for the local people. The authorities have taken several measures to promote tourism in the region, and the Tulip Garden is one of the major attractions. The garden is a testament to the beauty of Kashmir and its rich cultural heritage.

The garden is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Kashmir. The vibrant colours, the fragrance, and the breathtaking views of the Zabarwan Mountains make it a paradise for nature lovers. The garden is a symbol of the resilience of the people of Kashmir, who have faced many challenges but have always managed to bounce back.

The Tulip Garden in Srinagar is a testament to the beauty of Kashmir and its rich cultural heritage. The garden has witnessed a record-breaking influx of tourists this season, despite the challenges posed by the weather. The authorities have taken several measures to promote tourism in the region, and the Tulip Garden is one of the major attractions. The garden is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Kashmir and its rich cultural heritage.

History of the Tulip Garden:

The Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir, was established in 2007 as an initiative to boost floriculture and tourism in the region. The garden is situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range with an overview of Dal Lake and is spread over an area of about 30 hectares. It was conceptualized with the aim of creating a spacious garden full of tulips, akin to the world-famous tulip gardens in the Netherlands. Today, it holds the distinction of being the largest tulip garden in Asia.

The Garden's Development and Purpose:

The garden was built with the aim of promoting floriculture and tourism in the Kashmir Valley. It is built on sloping ground in a terraced fashion, consisting of seven terraces. The Jammu and Kashmir administration annually organises a tulip festival that showcases the range of flowers in the garden as part of their tourism efforts. The festival is held during the onset of the spring season every year.

The Tulip Festival and Its Importance:

The Tulip Festival marks the beginning of the tourism season in Kashmir and has turned out to be a key attraction for tourists, boosting the local economy. The festival usually commences in March or April, depending on the blooming of tulips, and lasts for about a month. The sheer spectacle of millions of tulips blooming in unison is not only a celebration of colors but also an embodiment of the rich horticultural prowess of Kashmir.

The Garden's Cultural Significance:

Tulips are one of the world's most iconic flowers, but their wild existence is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. In Afghanistan, tulips are a symbol of love and purity, traits that Afghan culture holds dear. In Iranian culture, tulips have meanings that resonate with what many people are feeling now – since yellow tulips mean hopeless love and the red tulip means perfect love. The tulip's importance in Iranian culture actually dates to ancient times.

The Tulip's Origin and Meaning:

The word tulip is actually derived from the Persian word for turban. In the language of flowers, tulips have meanings that resonate with what many people are feeling now – since yellow tulips mean hopeless love and the red tulip means perfect love. The tulip's importance in Iranian culture actually dates to ancient times.

The Tulipmania Market Crash of 1637:

The TULIPMANIA of 1637, in which the tulip was sold for exorbitant prices, occurred in Holland during the early to mid-1600s, when speculation drove the value of tulip bulbs to extremes. At the market's peak, the rarest tulip bulbs traded for as much as six times the average person’s annual salary. Today, this story of TULIPMANIA serves as a parable for the pitfalls that excessive greed and speculation in investing can lead to.

The Garden's Current State and Attractions:

The garden cultivates a vast variety of tulips, which accentuates its unique standing in floriculture and eco-tourism circles. Tourism is a significant part of Kashmir’s economy, and Tulip Garden is a strong pillar in that sector. Its annual Tulip Festival has become a major event on the tourist calendar, with increased footfall each year. This attraction has also aided in changing the narrative about Kashmir, highlighting its natural beauty and hospitality instead of its political turmoil.

The Garden's Role in Tourism and Local Economy:

The garden is not just a tourist attraction but also a source of income for the local people. The authorities have taken several measures to promote tourism in the region, and the Tulip Garden is one of the major attractions. The garden is a testament to the beauty of Kashmir and its rich cultural heritage.