Srinagar: Set against the backdrop of majestic mountains and serene Dal Lake, the famous Tulip Garden in Srinagar saw 4.2 lakh visitors – both tourists and locals – from March 23 to Tuesday, setting a new record.
Last year, 3.7 lakh visitors visited the Tulip garden. Officials said that since its opening, visitors, mostly domestic, have been making a beeline for the garden.
“Until April 22, there was a record 4.2 lakh tourists breaking all previous records for any Tulip show. Every day, 10,000 to 15,000 visitors reach the fascinating place,” he said. Asif Yatoo, in charge of the garden.
Among the visitors include almost 3,000 foreign tourists. The tourism department had also prepared famous Kashmiri cuisine, including Wazwan, Kehwa and traditional bread, to attract tourists and locals.
From the first day of its opening, the majestic garden became a lively center of activity. Families strolled the winding paths, couples posed for romantic portraits amid the vibrant flowers, and children frolicked in the open spaces, their laughter echoing in the air.
Tourists from distant lands marveled at the kaleidoscope of colors, snapping photos to capture memories that would last a lifetime. The Tulips, with their delicate petals and graceful stems, seemed to dance in the gentle breeze, their fragrance filling the air with a sweet scent.
Since the Tulips have started to grow due to the rising temperature, the authorities have decided to close the garden to visitors from this week.
This year, the department of floriculture had increased the number of tulip bulbs to 1.7 million and added five varieties of the flower, taking the general to 73. Usually, the flowering begins at the end of March.
The average life of a Tulip flower is three weeks and can extend for five days more depending on the weather. The overall flowering is extended by adding late varieties. Temperature sensitive flowers need mercury to stay between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.
The garden played an important role in welcoming tourists during the spring of 2022, especially after the disruptions of Covid in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the garden saw 2.3 lakh visitors.
(published April 23, 2024, 06:08 STI)
