The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, situated at the foothills of Zabarwan Hills in Srinagar and renowned as Asia’s largest tulip garden, has opened its gates to tourists and locals, showcasing a vibrant bloom of 17 lakh flowers of various varieties this season. Commonly referred to as ‘Siraj Bagh,’ this garden, inaugurated by former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2008, is not only a home to rare tulip species but is also poised to become the world’s second-largest tulip garden.
Haji Abdul, the head of the gardeners, expressed the profound significance of the garden to its caretakers, highlighting the dedication and hard work invested in nurturing these blossoms. He emphasized that beyond their aesthetic appeal, these flowers symbolize the labor, commitment, and sacrifices made by the employees to create and maintain this breathtaking botanical marvel.
Abdul also shed light on the modest wages earned by many daily-wage workers, underscoring the importance of recognizing and valuing their contributions. The meticulous preparations leading up to the garden’s opening date on March 23 reflect nearly a year of meticulous attention and effort dedicated to ensuring a successful unveiling to the public. Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, the Floriculture Commissioner Secretary, shared that this year’s display features an impressive array of 73 tulip varieties, including five new additions. The expansion of the garden area has been undertaken to accommodate all these diverse tulips, enhancing the visitor experience and showcasing the beauty and diversity of these floral treasures.
