 Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Mar 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday inaugurated the annual Tulip Festival-2026 here at the iconic Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan, marking the arrival of the spring season in the Kashmir Valley.
With the inauguration of the festival, Asia's largest tulip garden was formally opened to visitors, presenting a spectacular floral display of nearly 1.8 million tulips representing more than 75 vibrant varieties, spread across the terraced landscape of the garden overlooking the scenic Dal Lake. Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javid Ahmad Dar, Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and Members of the Legislative Assembly including Tanvir Sadiq, Salman Sagar, Ahsan Ahmad Pardesi and Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo accompanied the Chief Minister during the inaugural ceremony.
Among others present on the occasion were Commissioner Secretary Floriculture Zubair Ahmad, Managing Director J&K Bank Amitabh Chaterjee, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Director SKIMS Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director Information Nitish Rajora, Director Floriculture, Mathura Masoom, Director Handicrafts, Mussarat ul Islam senior officers of the Floriculture Department and a large number of visitors and tourists.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the onset of spring would usher in renewed optimism, prosperity and growth for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly for the tourism sector which serves as a major driver of the region's economy.
He stated that the Tulip Festival has emerged as one of the most prominent tourism events in the Kashmir Valley and provides an excellent platform to showcase the breathtaking natural beauty, cultural richness and hospitality of Kashmir to visitors from across the country and around the globe.
Chief Minister complimented the Floriculture Department for making the Tulip Garden ready in time and said that officers and gardeners of Floriculture department deserve to be appreciated for their efforts in curating this garden. CM said that in time to come, the Floriculture Department shall be developing its own rootstock so that dependence on importing of bulbs is gradually reduced and this would also require support of SKUAST Kashmir.
Extending a warm welcome to tourists visiting Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that the mesmerizing beauty, vibrant colours and soothing fragrance of the blooming tulips would offer visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.
The Chief Minister appealed to tourists from across the country and around the world to visit Jammu & Kashmir during the spring season and experience its unmatched natural beauty.
He further remarked that Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with unparalleled natural splendor and scenic landscapes that continue to attract nature lovers and travellers from different parts of the world. He expressed hope that visitors to the Tulip Garden would not only cherish the beauty of the flowers but would also carry with them a message of peace, harmony and prosperity from the Valley.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, recognized as Asia's largest Tulip garden, remains one of the most sought-after spring attractions in Kashmir and is expected to draw thousands of visitors during the ongoing Tulip Festival-2026.
This year, around 18 lakh tulips of over 70 varieties, along-with nearly one lakh other bulbous flowers including daffodils, hyacinths and narcissus, have been planted, adding vibrant colours to the valley's spring landscape.
On the occasion, Chief Minister also released a tourism promotional song titled 'wadi-e-sumbul' produced by Department of Information and Public Relations.
During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated souvenir point established by the Floriculture Department.
He also inaugurated exhibition of Handicrafts and Handloom department and inspected the stalls. |
