SRINAGAR: Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday inaugurated the Tulip Festival–2026 at the iconic Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, marking the arrival of the spring season in the Kashmir Valley.
With the inauguration, Asia’s largest tulip garden was formally opened to visitors, showcasing a vibrant display of nearly 1.8 million tulips representing more than 75 varieties spread across the terraced garden located at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range and overlooking the scenic Dal Lake.
Several dignitaries attended the inaugural ceremony, including Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, and Members of the Legislative Assembly Tanvir Sadiq, Salman Sagar, Ahsan Ahmad Pardesi and Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo.
Among others present were Commissioner Secretary Floriculture Zubair Ahmad, Managing Director of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Amitabh Chatterjee, Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences M. Ashraf Ganie, Director Information Nitish Rajora, Director Floriculture Mathura Masoom and Director Handicrafts Mussarat ul Islam, along with senior officials and a large number of visitors and tourists.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the onset of spring would bring renewed optimism, prosperity and growth for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly for the tourism sector, which remains a key driver of the region’s economy.
He said the Tulip Festival has emerged as one of the most prominent tourism events in the Kashmir Valley, providing a unique platform to showcase Kashmir’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and hospitality to visitors from across India and around the world.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the Floriculture Department and its staff for preparing the Tulip Garden in time for the festival. He said that in the future the department would work towards developing its own rootstock for tulip bulbs, reducing dependence on imports, with support from SKUAST-K.
Welcoming tourists to the Valley, Abdullah said the colourful bloom and fragrance of the tulips would offer visitors a memorable experience. He invited travellers from across the country and abroad to visit Jammu and Kashmir during the spring season and experience its unmatched natural beauty.
He added that visitors to the Tulip Garden would not only enjoy the floral spectacle but would also carry a message of peace, harmony and prosperity from the Valley.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, recognised as Asia’s largest tulip garden, remains one of the most popular spring attractions in Kashmir and is expected to attract thousands of tourists during the ongoing festival.
This year, around 18 lakh tulips of more than 70 varieties have been planted along with nearly one lakh other bulbous flowers, including daffodils, hyacinths and narcissus, adding vibrant colours to the Valley’s spring landscape.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released a tourism promotional song titled “Wadi-e-Sumbul”, produced by the Department of Information and Public Relations. He also inaugurated a souvenir point set up by the Floriculture Department and visited an exhibition of handicrafts and handloom products, inspecting various stalls.
