A visit to the Tulip Garden in Srinagar will take your breath away. The striped tapestry showcases tulips of every colour.
Emperor Jehangir, who legend says was so captivated by Kashmir’s Beauty that he exclaimed, “Agar Firdaus ba-ru-i-zamin ast, hamin ast u hamin ast” (if there’s paradise on earth, it is here, it is here).
The garden showcased every possible colour on the palette lavender, pink, orance, red, maroon, white, yellow.
Did you know that the newest tulip district on the global map is in Srinagar? Inaugurated last March, the Tulip Garden is located off the Dal Lake and at the foothills of the imposing Zabarwan hills. It has already begun playing a big role in marking the return of Kashmir as a preferred film locale. In the past year alone almost half-a-dozen films were shot here, with directors from around the country making a beeline for its naturally-splendid setting.
The Kashmir Valley is renowned for its beauty and flying over the Pir Panjal, I got a stunning view of the craggy mountainous landscape. The touchdown was smooth and soon I was zipping towards my hotel close to the Dal Lake.
Give Me Red Sea Of Tulips
The erstwhile Siraj Bagh has been converted into the Tulip Garden and the Boulevard Road running along the Dal Lake leads up to it. As I bought the entry ticket, which doubles as a souvenir postcard, I wondered if the garden would be as charming as the pictures of it.
The Shalimar Garden Planned By Emperor Jehangir
Give Me Red Sea Of Tulips
The Shalimar Garden Planned By Emperor Jehangir
My anxiety was laid to rest the moment I entered. What greeted the eye was a stunning floral display that appeared as a striped tapestry showcasing every possible colour on the palette: lavender, pink, orange, red, maroon, white, yellow. Multiple varieties make the total about 12 lakh tulips, spread over two-tiered 50 acres. A mere glance at the flower and the expression that comes to mind is `picture-perfect’, so flawless is it in every way. Tourists from across India had arrived here to see the flower which has a short blooming spell, about six weeks, mid-March onwards. Around a million tulip bulbs were imported from Holland to set up the garden.
Garden garland :
The tulip haven is yet another pearl in Srinagar’s string of beautifully landscaped gardens. The most popular green set is the trio of Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chasham-e-Shahi, which collectively are called Mughal Gardens.
As is apparent, the gardens are a bequest of the Mughals, particularly Emperor Jehangir, who legend says was so captivated by Kashmir’s beauty that he exclaimed, “Agar firdaus ba-ru-izamin ast, hamin ast u hamin ast” (If there’s paradise on earth, it is here, it is here). The first Mughal garden, Shalimar Bagh, was envisaged by him in honour of his queen Nur Jehan, about 400 years back. Neighbouring Nishat Bagh was planned by Nur Jehan’s brother.
Both gardens are built according to the typical Persian-style symmetrical template, replete with central fountains leading to cascading waterways flowing down a series of terraced platforms that are dotted with the lovely chinar and sprays of floral spaces. Though Shalimar is bigger and the more popular one, it’s Nishat, a waterfront garden it’s flowing tiered waters mingle with the Dal Lake that’s compact and far prettier.
Floral Display : Carpet Of Colour
Close by is Chasham-e-Shahi, which literally means royal springs, laid out by Jehangir’s successor, Emperor Shah Jahan.
He believed the spring water had curative properties and though many of them have dried up the fable is alive and draws people for reasons beyond sightseeing.
One visit to Kashmir and you’d know it has been crafted specially by God. Its gardens are man’s tribute to the Maker.
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