Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar to open on March 16; tickets, timings and festival details

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar will open on March 16 for the annual Kashmir Tulip Festival, showcasing around a million tulips in vibrant colours.

• Kashmir Tulip Festival starts March 16 at Indira Gandhi Garden
• About one million tulips in 70-75 varieties will bloom this season.
• Festival features Kashmiri culture, cuisine, and artisan displays

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Spring in Kashmir is set to begin with a burst of colour as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, widely recognised as Asia’s largest tulip garden, prepares to welcome visitors for the Kashmir Tulip Festival.

Located in the scenic city of Srinagar, the iconic garden will officially open for the 2026 season on March 16, marking the start of the Valley’s much-awaited spring tourism period.

Set against the foothills of the Zabarwan Range and overlooking the tranquil waters of Dal Lake, the tulip garden transforms into one of India’s most colourful landscapes every spring, drawing travellers, photographers and nature enthusiasts from across the country.

Image: PTI

Record blooms expected in 2026

Officials from the Floriculture Department say the garden is fully prepared for the upcoming season. According to reports, around 18 lakh tulip bulbs have been planted this year, and the garden will showcase about one million blooming tulips across 70–75 varieties, creating a vibrant floral display.

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K | Director of the Department of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks in Kashmir, Mathoora Masoom says, "The Tulip Garden will be opened to the public from March 16th. The Chief Minister will inaugurate it... Like every year, we have made efforts to improve the… pic.twitter.com/a7IF6LREjR

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2026

Enhanced flower-bed density and new landscaping efforts are expected to make the display even more visually spectacular this year.

The tulip garden first opened in 2007 with the aim of promoting spring tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, and it has since become one of the region’s most popular seasonal attractions.

More than just flowers

While the colourful tulip fields remain the main highlight, the festival offers visitors a wider cultural experience. The event will feature Kashmiri cultural performances, traditional local cuisine stalls, handicrafts and artisan displays, and folk music and dance performances.

Together, these elements give visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage while enjoying the breathtaking floral landscapes.

Image: PTI

Kashmir Tulip Festival 2026: Dates, timings and tickets

Here are the key details for visitors planning a trip:

Festival Date: March 16, 2026

Location: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

Garden Timings: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily

Peak Bloom Period: First two weeks of April

Entry Fees (approx.):

Adults: Rs 75

Children: Rs 30

Foreign tourists: Rs 200

Tickets will be available both online and at the venue.

Best time to visit

Although the garden opens in mid-March, the first two weeks of April are generally considered the peak bloom period, when most tulip varieties are in full blossom. During this time, the vibrant rows of tulips framed by mountains and lakes create one of the most picturesque spring landscapes in India.