Omar Abdullah visits Srinagar Tulip Garden
As several parts of the Kashmir valley on Sunday witnessed a fresh spell of snowfall, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Asia’s largest Tulip Garden, spreading across nearly 30 hectares, for a quick sneak preview ahead of its formal opening on Monday.
Omar, himself a nature lover, also captured blooming buds on his mobile camera before extending an open invitation to the visitors to witness vibrant blooms and stunning spring landscapes.
“The weather is perfect & the colours are amazing. If you don’t believe me, come & see for yourselves”, Omar posted on X as he posted multiple images of the Tulip Garden to attract visitors to the Kashmir valley ahead of the beginning of the new tourist season.
“Got a sneak preview of Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar earlier today. The garden is still 7-8 days away from its full bloom but it’s already bursting with colour.
The garden looks amazing. The team of gardeners have done an amazing job under the supervision of the Floriculture Department officials”, Omar posted on X.
Every year, the Tulip Festival is held here to celebrate the arrival of spring and showcase the spectacular variety of blooms that brighten the Kashmir Valley.
Nestled in the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, the iconic Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden offers breathtaking views with the majestic Dal Lake forming a stunning backdrop.
In Srinagar, the entire security grid is already maintaining a tight vigil in the run-up to the beginning of the peak tourist season in the valley.
The Union Territory administration is also anticipating a heavy rush of tourists as Asia’s largest tulip garden, housing a flower carpet of 18 lakh tulips of 70-75 varieties with different colours and fragrances, will be thrown open to visitors from March 16.
Mathoora Masoom, Director of Floriculture in Kashmir, said, “We will have more than 70 varieties of tulips this year. We have tried to improve the experience by adding selfie points and decorative planters so that visitors get a pleasant atmosphere.”
According to the weather advisory, erratic weather conditions are likely to continue across the Union Territory until March 20. On Sunday, Snowfall was recorded in areas including Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Gulmarg, Doodhpathri, Gurez Valley, Sadhna Top and along the Sonamarg-Zojila axis.
Many places in the Kashmir division and a few areas in the Jammu division also received rainfall during the day, a MeT official said. The MeT also forecasts intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall in higher reaches at many places until the forenoon of March 16. “On March 17, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy, with brief spells of light rain or snowfall at isolated higher-altitude locations,” the official said.
From March 18 to 20, generally cloudy conditions are expected, with intermittent light to moderate rain or snowfall at many places, mainly during night and morning hours.
The MeT has advised travellers and transporters, particularly those moving through higher reaches and key mountain passes, to plan their journeys accordingly.
