Asia’s largest Tulip garden opens in Kashmir

Asia’s largest tulip garden opened to visitors in Kashmir on Monday, raising hopes of a revival in tourism in the Valley after a challenging year for the sector.The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was formally inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Authorities expect thousands of tourists and locals to visit the garden over the coming weeks as the tulips bloom in vibrant colours.

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurates the Tulip Garden and is ready to welcome tourists on the foothills of the Zabarwan Range. pic.twitter.com/2ZWkzGGPI8

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

Situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range and overlooking the iconic Dal Lake, the sprawling garden has emerged as one of Kashmir’s most popular spring attractions and traditionally marks the beginning of the Valley’s peak tourism season.Officials stated the opening of the garden carries added significance this year as the administration and tourism stakeholders work to restore visitor confidence after the deadly terror attack at Baisaran Meadow in April 2025. The attack had killed 25 tourists and a local pony operator, triggering widespread cancellations and a sharp drop in tourist arrivals across the Valley.
Speaking at the inauguration, Abdullah said the government is making sustained efforts to revive the tourism sector, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of people in the region.“Tourism was hit hard after the Pahalgam attack and many believed that visitors would stay away from Kashmir for years. But slowly the sector is picking up again,” he said, adding that the administration has been engaging with travel operators and promoting destinations across the Union Territory.
Tourism industry representatives said the annual tulip bloom is expected to give an early boost to spring arrivals. Officials noted that the garden’s opening in March and April is traditionally one of the biggest attractions for visitors during the season.Spread across nearly 30 hectares, the terraced garden hosts more than 1.5 million tulip bulbs representing dozens of varieties. The landscape is also dotted with other spring flowers such as daffodils and hyacinths, making it one of the most colourful seasonal attractions in the region.
However, authorities said the main priority this year remains restoring confidence among travellers and ensuring a smooth tourist season. Local hoteliers and tour operators expressed optimism that the tulip festival will help kickstart a stronger tourism revival after a difficult period.“The tulip garden opening is always symbolic for Kashmir. A good response from tourists in the coming weeks will help reassure visitors that the Valley is safe and ready to welcome them again,” a Srinagar-based tour operator said.