With over 1.7 Million tulips of 74 exquisite varieties in its lap, Asia’s largest Tulip garden overlooking the world-famous Dal Lake was thrown open on Wednesday by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, marking the beginning of the new tourism season in the Valley.

“Delighted to throw open Asia’s largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar today,” the Chief Minister’s office posted on X.

The Chief Minister, sporting a skull cap and a traditional ‘pheran’ greeted and interacted with the tourists assembled at the garden to witness the blooming carpet of flowers.

He also extended an invitation to tourists from all over the world to make a plan to witness the sublime beauty of nature and enjoy the warm hospitality of Kashmir. Visitors, who were seen posing for a group photograph, acknowledged the hard work of gardeners and all others who worked laboriously behind the scenes to decorate the  Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.

The Tourism department is already expecting a heavy tourist influx this year as compared to last year. Last year, as many as 4.45 lakh tourists thronged the garden, which was the highest ever.

A record number of tourists visited the Kashmir valley this year raising hopes of hoteliers and all other stakeholders of a buoyant tourism season ahead. 

The floriculture department has expanded the channel to the top of the garden. In addition, some fountains have been set up in the garden to make it more attractive.

Briefing media persons, Floriculture director Shakeel-ul-Rehman Rather said, “Tourists intending to visit the famous Tulip Garden can now book tickets online as authorities have started an online and QR code-based booking system at several places, including the Srinagar Airport”.

“We have planted 17.50 Lakh tulip bulbs and other flowers,” Rather said.

The director said this year, the department has started the facility of an online ticket booking system. “Tie-up has also been done with the tourism departments of many countries and their websites have the link for online tickets. Apart fromthis, tickets are also available through the physical mode.

The Union Territory administration has already made elaborate arrangements to accommodate the large rush of tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir.