In PHOTOS: Kashmir's scintillating tulip garden

Kashmir's famous tulip garden on the shores of the world famous Dal Lake is yet again in bloom with the advent of spring.

The sprawling eight hectare dazzling spectacle of multi-hued tulips was thrown open to general public by the state Floriculture Minister Javed Dar.

The garden is in full blossom right now with tulips of various colours, making it quite a feast for the eyes.

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Additional Inputs: Agencies

Interacting with the media, the minister said that this year two more terraces have been added to the garden, which has more than 15 lakh tulip bulbs and 70 flower varieties spread over eight hectares.

"As of now it is the biggest garden among all the gardens developed and maintained by the floriculture department," he said.

Christened 'Indira Gandhi tulip garden' the idea of creating yet another tourist pleasure garden was conceived and executed by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during his tenure as the state chief minister.

Javed Ahmad, the garden incharge, says that as many as 10-15 lakh tulip bulbs imported from Netherlands have been planted and about 30 to 40 per cent are presently in bloom in the garden.

He said that the garden has also expanded in size covering an area of eight hectares now.

Various other attractions, including rose plants and other flower varieties, have also been added to the garden to make a round-the-year attraction.

Besides serving the tourism purpose, the garden is also aimed at creating employment opportunities and promote commercial floriculture in the Valley which has a huge and ever expanding potential.

Tulip, which has its origin in Persia (Iran), was introduced in Europe in 17th century, where it had been developed in different varieties.

Siraj Bagh, which has become home to tulips in Kashmir, has a unique and feasible topography with a plane area in the centre that suits different varieties of flowers.

Siraj Bagh has slopes suited for different varieties of fruit plants and hilly slopes with wilderness suitable for wild flora and bushes

Belonging to the Liliaceae family, Tulips are best suited for dry soil of mountain areas and require small amount of water but on regular basis.

The mesmerising effect of the garden's splendour was visible at the faces of the tourists as they entered the garden where rows of tulips were in full bloom and wove a tapestry of colours while the hills provided an ideal background.

"You cannot find any of these products in other parts of India. I have not seen something like this," said Peter Mathew, a tourist from Chile. 

"The variety and the colour are very good. The art collection, the shawls and also the climate is very good," said Minakshi, an Indian tourist. 

"I delayed my departure to Mumbai by a day to have a glimpse of the garden. I am thrilled to see it," said Ravinder Shah a tourist from Mumbai. 

So when are you packing your bags for Kashmir?