A break from the inclement weather could not have come at a better time in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the past one week, most parts of the state were witnessing rainfall, falling temperatures and overcast skies. The state is finally free from rainy days and bright sunshine is back to adorn the heavenly Kashmir, coinciding with the opening up of famous Tulip Garden.
Amidst clear weather conditions, Asia’s largest tulip garden was opened to public yesterday. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was inaugurated by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. This year the magnificent garden will showcase about 10 lakh tulips. The garden is located on the foothills of Zabarwan hill and overlooks the Dal Lake. It will remain open to visitors for about a month.
This year, 53 tulip variants have been put on display in the garden. 22 varieties have been procured, out of which three varieties have been introduced in Kashmir for the first time. A new variety called the laptop has also been introduced. The garden covers an area of 30 hectares and will have nearly one million tulip bulbs budding during this month.
So far, 35% tulips have bloomed and more are expected to bloom very soon. 20% tulips that have been planted in the garden are early bloomers. Another 60% will flower by mid-April. The rest of the varieties will blossom by the end of this month.
The weather, particularly in the valley of Kashmir has shown great improvement. Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg show no trace of rainfall. The temperatures in the lower reaches of Kashmir have gone back to normal, the maximum temperatures in most parts are close to 20°C. Even the night temperatures are well within the comfortable range.
April is the month when winter rain recedes and snowfall in the lower reaches becomes a rare phenomenon. However, the higher reaches continue to receive snowfall. This month is the best period for the valley of Kashmir and an ideal period for people to pay a visit to the outstanding Tulip Garden.
