Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

What is Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden?

This garden covers 30 hectares at the foot of the Zabarwan mountains in Srinagar. Its layout follows the slope in seven wide terraces, each planted with rows of tulips in many colours. Visitors see not only tulips but also hyacinths, daffodils, and ranunculus, especially in spring. The garden overlooks Dal Lake, offering a view of both flowers and water. With about 1.75 million tulip bulbs and dozens of other flower types, the garden creates a patchwork of colour during its main season.

The history of Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

Opened in 2007, the garden was created to encourage both flower growing and tourism in the Kashmir Valley. It was once called Siraj Bagh and later known as the Model Floriculture Center. Tulip bulbs, along with other spring flowers, were imported from the Netherlands, including from the Keukenhof gardens in Amsterdam. The garden’s location and design were chosen to make the most of the natural slope and the scenic views of Dal Lake.

What there is to see

The garden is planted in autumn with tulip bulbs and other spring flowers. The terraced beds are carefully arranged so that different varieties bloom together in spring, usually from March to April. Hyacinths, daffodils, and ranunculus are also planted among the tulips. The garden is managed by the Department of Floriculture, which maintains the displays and prepares for the annual festival.

When to go

The main time to visit is during the annual Tulip Festival in spring, when the flowers are at their peak. The festival is organised by the local government to welcome tourists and showcase the region’s floral beauty. Visitors come to walk among the terraces, take photographs, and enjoy the views of the lake and mountains. The garden is a popular spot for both local residents and travellers from across India and abroad.

Parts and collections

The garden features between 70 and 75 types of tulips, showing a wide range of colours and forms. Besides tulips, there are 46 other flower varieties, including hyacinths, daffodils, and ranunculus, all brought in from Holland. The mix of flowers and colours changes slightly each year, depending on the bulbs planted.

Why Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden matters

The garden has become a symbol of spring in Kashmir and a major draw for visitors. The Tulip Festival is a highlight of the local calendar, with hundreds of thousands of people attending each year. In 2023, the garden saw a record number of visitors, including many from outside India. The garden’s creation and its annual festival have helped put Srinagar on the map as a destination for flower lovers.

The flowers of Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

TulipSpring-blooming bulbs with showy, cup-shaped flowers in many coloursNarcissusSpring-flowering bulbs with trumpet-shaped blooms in white, yellow, and orangeButtercupA widespread group of bright, often shiny-petalled wild and garden flowersHyacinthA spring-blooming bulb with fragrant, colourful flower spikesMeadow buttercupA tall yellow wildflower found in meadows and grasslands across EurasiaWild tulipA wild yellow tulip with a light scent, found from Portugal to western China

Plan a visit

🇮🇳 Srinagar · Mar to AprTulip garden of SrinagarA hillside of tulips above Dal Lake, open for only a few weeks each spring.

Days and festivals

Questions people ask about Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

Good reading and sources

• Srinagar’s Siraj Bagh, Asia’s largest tulip garden, opens for touristsHindustan Times, Article
• Asia’s largest tulip garden opens for visitorsThe Hindu, Article

• Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data