Tulip Garden

Tulip Garden in Kashmir is Asia's largest tulips garden and there is a likely hood that it can become the worlds second largest largest too.The tulip garden which is in Srinagar is commonly known as Siraj Bagh and is located no the banks of the famous Dal Lake. When viewing the garden you are able to see the large variety of colors of the flowers, and there are over 60 varieties of early, mid and late blooming tulips.

The tourism authorities in the state said they are using the festival to promote the state as a preferred destination. "ot of Indians go to Holland just to see tulips, but now this place is near and more affordable for the domestic tourists. We feel we will get more tourists. We have come to know that about 12,00 tourists and mostly outsiders have come here," said Tanveer Jahan, a secretary of tourism department. The garden at the foothills of Zabarwan overlooking the famed Dal Lake has about 60 varieties of multi-colored tulips. The festival that also showcased, the state's traditional art and culture, was an instant hit with the foreigners. "You cannot find any of these products in other parts of India. I have not seen something like this," said Peter Mathew, a tourist from Chile. Lot of domestic tourists also visited the festival.

The variety and the colour are very good. The art collection, the shawls and also the climate is very good," said Minakshi, an Indian tourist. 'Siraj Bagh', which has become home to tulips in Kashmir, has a unique and feasible topography that suits different varieties of flowers. It has slopes suited for different varieties of fruit plants and wilderness suitable for wild flora and bushes.

Tulip, which has its origin in Persia (Iran), was introduced in Europe in 17th century, where it had been developed in different varieties. Holland is the largest producer of tulips, which inhabits the mountain areas extending from Europe to Central Asia. The plantation of tulips begins from September, before the start of winter season. Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is located at the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains which are present on the banks of the Dal Lake, Srinagar. This garden is the most spacious one in Srinagar as compared to the other Mughal Gardens which I saw earlier. The major attraction here is the large variety of Tulips found in thousands of numbers. The sight is heavenly during the full bloom season with all shades of the rainbow scattered on the fields of this garden.