Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood: Srinagar’s New Chrysanthemum Garden Boosts Autumn Tourism
By : sheikh Mohammad isa
Kashmir’s autumn beauty is gaining another attraction with the inauguration of Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood, a chrysanthemum theme garden at the Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden in Srinagar. The initiative aims to expand the Valley’s floral tourism beyond the famous spring tulip season and encourage more visitors to explore Kashmir during autumn.
With colourful flowers, mountain scenery and locally cultivated plants, the garden offers visitors another reason to discover Srinagar in October and November.
A New Attraction for Autumn Tourism in Kashmir
Kashmir is widely known for its tulip displays in spring, when thousands of visitors travel to Srinagar to see the colourful blooms. Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood adds another seasonal attraction by bringing chrysanthemums into the spotlight during autumn.
The garden offers a different floral experience as the surrounding Zabarwan hills take on their characteristic golden and brown colours. Its colourful displays provide an appealing setting for families, tourists, photography enthusiasts and nature lovers.
By extending the floral tourism calendar, the initiative could help attract visitors outside the traditional spring travel season and support businesses connected with tourism.
Hundreds of Thousands of Colourful Blooms
One of the main attractions of Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood is its wide collection of chrysanthemums in different colours and varieties. The garden features flowers in shades of yellow, red, pink, white and other vibrant colours, creating an eye-catching display against Kashmir’s autumn landscape.
Varieties mentioned in the garden’s presentation include Mount Aubisque Salmon, Nova Yellow and Manga Red. Together, these flowers add diversity to Srinagar’s botanical attractions and offer visitors a chance to appreciate the beauty of chrysanthemums.
Promoting Locally Grown Flowers
Another important feature of the initiative is its focus on local cultivation. Chrysanthemum plants are propagated and cultivated locally by regional growers and the Floriculture Department.
This approach can help strengthen local horticulture, encourage flower cultivation and create opportunities for growers associated with the sector. It also highlights the contribution of local expertise to Kashmir’s growing range of garden attractions.
Digital Features Enhance the Visitor Experience
The garden also incorporates digital features to make visits more informative. QR codes placed near selected displays allow visitors to access information about the plants, their origins and botanical characteristics.
These features can make the garden particularly interesting for students, families, gardening enthusiasts and tourists who want to learn more about the flowers on display.
A Boost for Kashmir’s Tourism Industry
Tourism plays an important role in Kashmir’s economy, supporting hotels, transport operators, guides, restaurants and local businesses. New seasonal attractions can help diversify visitor experiences and encourage tourists to explore the Valley at different times of the year.
Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood offers an opportunity to promote Srinagar’s autumn landscape alongside its established attractions, including Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens and the surrounding mountain scenery.
If sustained and developed further, the chrysanthemum garden could become a recognisable feature of Kashmir’s autumn tourism calendar.
Conclusion
Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood adds a colourful new dimension to Srinagar’s garden tourism by showcasing chrysanthemums during the autumn season. Its focus on locally cultivated flowers, diverse varieties and digital visitor information gives the attraction appeal beyond its floral displays.
For visitors exploring Kashmir in October and November, the garden offers another reason to experience the Valley’s natural beauty beyond the famous spring tulip season.
