Mohammad Hanief
Kashmir, often hailed as the crown of India for its breath taking landscapes and timeless charm, has unveiled a new chapter in its floral legacy. The Valley, known for its tulips, chinars, and snow-clad mountains, has now become home to Asia’s largest Chrysanthemum Garden, a magnificent new attraction that promises to redefine autumn tourism in the region.
Located within the Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden in Srinagar, the newly inaugurated Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood covers more than 100 kanals of meticulously cultivated land. The sprawling garden, bursting with chrysanthemums in radiant shades of yellow, pink, purple, red, and white, is the latest addition to Kashmir’s growing network of thematic gardens. Designed to extend the Valley’s tourism season beyond spring, the initiative brings a burst of colour and fragrance to the crisp air of October and November, when Kashmir traditionally begins to quieten down.
The garden takes its name from the Persian word for chrysanthemum – Gul-e-Dawood – literally translating to “the flower of David.” In Persian and Central Asian cultures, the flower symbolizes endurance and joy, an apt metaphor for a landscape that thrives through changing seasons. The creation of this garden marks a bold step toward positioning Kashmir as a four-season destination, where every time of year offers a distinct experience to travellers.
The concept of the Chrysanthemum Garden evolved from the success of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, which drew record-breaking crowds in spring 2025, attracting over 850,000 visitors. Officials in the Department of Floriculture sought to build on that success by introducing a floral counterpart for autumn. With its variety, longevity, and adaptability to cooler climates, the chrysanthemum emerged as the ideal choice.
The garden’s layout has been designed to take advantage of the natural contours of the Zabarwan foothills. Rows of blossoms descend in terraces, forming sweeping arcs of colour that change subtly with the movement of sunlight. From above, the garden resembles a vast floral tapestry stretching towards Dal Lake, whose reflective waters mirror the blooms in soft autumn light. Walking paths curve gently through the beds, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the fragrances and hues of the season.
The project involved months of careful planning and preparation. More than a hundred varieties of chrysanthemums, sourced from across India and abroad, were cultivated by teams of horticulturists and floriculturists. Each flower bed was arranged to emphasize harmony in both colour and texture. The result is a landscape that feels painterly yet precise, blending the Valley’s natural charm with meticulous design.
The initiative also underscores a shift toward sustainable horticultural practices. The garden relies on a drip irrigation system to conserve water and uses organic compost produced locally. Native plant species have been integrated along the periphery to support biodiversity. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that tourism development in ecologically sensitive regions like Kashmir must balance beauty with responsibility.
Kashmir’s economy is deeply intertwined with tourism, yet its popularity has long been seasonal. Spring and early summer see a surge of visitors drawn by tulips, alpine meadows, and mild weather, while the autumn and winter months have traditionally witnessed a decline in arrivals. The opening of the Chrysanthemum Garden is part of a broader strategy to extend the tourist calendar and highlight the Valley’s year-round appeal.
Autumn in Kashmir, often overshadowed by the bloom of spring, possesses a beauty of its own. The chinar trees that line the boulevards and gardens of Srinagar blaze into shades of red, orange, and gold. The saffron fields of Pampore, just outside the city, erupt in delicate purple flowers. The air turns crisp, the light becomes gentler, and the mountains take on a new clarity. The Chrysanthemum Garden now joins this seasonal transformation, offering travellers yet another reason to visit the Valley during this enchanting time of year.
Since its inauguration, the garden has already begun to attract a steady stream of visitors. Families, photographers, and nature lovers stroll among the blooms, pausing to capture the play of colour against the backdrop of snow-dusted peaks. Local tour operators have introduced new “Autumn Bloom Packages”, combining visits to the garden with shikara rides on Dal Lake, saffron field tours, and heritage walks through Srinagar’s Mughal gardens.
The early response has been enthusiastic, with hoteliers reporting an uptick in bookings and travel agencies noting renewed interest in autumn travel. Local shopkeepers and artisans, too, have benefited from the increased footfall. From kahwa stalls set up at the garden’s entrance to vendors selling saffron and handcrafted souvenirs, the site has already begun to generate a ripple of economic activity.
Beyond its horticultural excellence, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood celebrates Kashmir’s deep cultural relationship with flowers. Floral imagery has long been woven into the fabric of Kashmiri art and identity – from the intricate embroidery of shawls and carpets to the motifs in woodcarving and papier-mâché. Flowers have inspired poets, painters, and craftsmen for centuries, symbolizing beauty, impermanence, and renewal.
The Chrysanthemum Garden revives this connection in a modern context. It not only offers visual splendour but also serves as a living classroom for students of botany, horticulture, and landscape design. The Department of Floriculture has announced plans to host educational workshops, guided tours, and research programs at the garden to encourage scientific interest in ornamental cultivation. This blend of culture, education, and environmental awareness positions the garden as both a tourist attraction and a centre for learning.
Visitors who wander through its pathways often remark on the sensory richness of the experience – the rustle of autumn leaves underfoot, the scent of chrysanthemums in the breeze, and the soft murmur of fountains that punctuate the floral beds. Each element of the garden seems designed not merely to impress but to evoke a sense of peace. In a world often marked by haste and noise, this new garden offers the rare luxury of stillness.
The government’s long-term vision extends beyond the success of the Chrysanthemum Garden. Plans are underway to create a comprehensive network of seasonal gardens, ensuring that the Valley remains a floral destination throughout the year. The Tulip Garden will continue to anchor spring tourism; the Chrysanthemum Garden will sustain autumn; and new initiatives are being considered to introduce winter flower shows and indoor botanical exhibitions. The combined effect will be a continuous floral calendar that invites visitors to experience the Valley’s changing moods across all four seasons.
Officials also envision linking the major gardens of Srinagar through an integrated tourist route that highlights not only their botanical diversity but also their historical and cultural context. Such projects aim to blend natural beauty with heritage tourism, positioning Kashmir as one of Asia’s premier destinations for sustainable, high-value travel.
As evening descends over the Zabarwan Hills, the Chrysanthemum Garden takes on a different charm. The setting sun casts a golden glow over the petals, and the air fills with the faint fragrance of flowers closing for the night. The reflection of the blossoms dances on the quiet waters of Dal Lake nearby, creating an almost surreal tableau.
For the people of Kashmir, this garden is more than a tourist site – it is a symbol of hope, creativity, and continuity. It stands as a reminder that the Valley’s beauty is not confined to a single season, nor its vitality to a single moment. With each new bloom, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood tells a larger story – of a region that continues to nurture life, colour, and grace, even as it evolves with time.
The unveiling of Asia’s largest Chrysanthemum Garden marks the beginning of a new era in Kashmiri tourism. It celebrates the artistry of its gardeners, the vision of its planners, and the timeless charm of its landscape. As visitors stroll through its fragrant pathways, surrounded by blossoms that seem to glow in the fading light, they carry with them a sense of renewal – not only of nature, but of spirit.
In transforming autumn into a season of bloom, Kashmir has done more than plant flowers. It has planted a promise – that its valleys will continue to flourish, its seasons will continue to inspire, and its story, like the perennial chrysanthemum, will continue to unfold with enduring beauty.
(The author is a senior analyst)