The garden is built on a sloping terrain specifically designed to provide a natural water drainage system for the tulip bulbs.
It is managed by the Department of Floriculture, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
The project was inaugurated in 2007 by the then-Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to extend the tourism season beyond the summer months.
The selection of tulip varieties is curated to ensure sequential blooming across the spring season.
The garden layout includes a central water channel and a series of terraced lawns.
The site was formerly known as Siraj Bagh.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia, spanning approximately 30 hectares in the foothills of the Zabarwan Range. The garden features over 1.5 million tulip bulbs comprising more than 60 different varieties. It is laid out in a terraced format with seven distinct gradations to accommodate the sloping terrain overlooking Dal Lake. Beyond tulips, the site hosts other bulbous plants including hyacinths, daffodils, narcissus, and ranunculus. The garden was created to boost floriculture and tourism in the Kashmir Valley. It sits at an elevation of approximately 1,673 meters above sea level.
The elevated central terrace offering a panoramic view of the colorful tulip rows with the Zabarwan mountains in the background.
Bring a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen, as there is very limited natural shade throughout the open terraces.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the garden is expansive and includes steep terraced pathways.
Check the official Department of Floriculture website for blooming updates, as peak colors last only a few weeks annually.
Do not plan a visit outside of the spring season, as the garden remains closed for most of the year to allow for bulb maintenance.
The garden is only open during the short spring blooming season, which typically lasts from mid-March to mid-April; it is closed for the remainder of the year.
Do not step on the flower beds or pluck the tulips, as strict surveillance is enforced to maintain the site.
