Gardeners tend to the flowers as tourists walk past and soak in the Chrysanthemums Autumn Flower at the upcoming Theme Park Zabarwan hills in Srinagar, on October 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR
Believed to have been introduced from China to Kashmir many centuries ago, chrysanthemum flowers or Gul-e-Dawood is all set to replicate the success story of tulip garden in the Valley, but, unlike tulips, the mesmerising bloom of 30 lakh flowers will spread out till harsh winters set in.
“The Tulip Garden has attracted tourists from across the country in spring to Kashmir. The theme park, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood or Chrysanthemum Garden, will offer tourists bright colours at peak of autumn when flowering fades away in Kashmir and tourists have few options,” Mathoora Masoom, Director of the Floriculture department in Kashmir, told The Hindu.
Located at the foothills of the Zabarwan forest range, the well-curated garden is spread over five hectares of land. It will feature more than 50 exquisite chrysanthemum varieties and over 30 lakh blooms are expected this season. The garden, which has also posted Quick Response (QR) codes on trees for interpretation, will be inaugurated by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on October 25.
Tourists enjoy near Chrysanthemums Autumn Flower at the new upcoming Theme Park Zabarwan hills in Srinagar, on October 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
IMRAN NISSAR
“We expect the spectacular splash of colours with the onset of autumn till the third week of November. We plan to expand the garden next year,” Ms. Masooma said.
Curated by the Department of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks, Jammu and Kashmir, the garden is set to offer visitors one more reason to experience Kashmir’s natural beauty beyond the traditional spring and summer seasons.
The first major theme park, Tulip Garden, was set up by former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, in 2007. A record 8.55 lakh tourists visited the garden in March-April this year. The Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood is the second major theme park in Kashmir.
Several indigenous varieties to be put on display include Mount Aubisque Appricot,
Tourists enjoy near Chrysanthemums Autumn Flower at the new upcoming Theme Park Zabarwan hills in Srinagar, on October 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
IMRAN NISSAR
Mount Aubsique Salmon, Aristic Dark Pink, Mount Pleasant, Anansi Pink, Nova Yellow, Flavio, Manga Red, Cesar, Ibra White, Aristic Armin etc.
Except for offering the blazing foliage of chinar trees, the autumn in Kashmir has traditionally been a lean period for tourism. Kashmir hosted only 1.8 lakh to 1.9 lakh tourists in October-November against three lakhs to 4.36 lakhs tourists in May-June in 2023 and 1.8 lakh to 1.5 lakh tourists in October-November against 3.75 lakh to 3.33 lakh tourists in May-June in 2022, according to official figures.
“The garden adds a new dimension to Srinagar’s floral landscape. Already, we could see tourists taking selfies and immersing themselves in the colours of the garden like the tulip garden,” Ms. Masooma said.
The flower varieties, which have even influenced local artisans and papier mache artists for ages, can withstand temperature drops up to 10 degrees Celsius and even can survive the winter’s first snowfall.
Once a culinary herb, brewed into teas, the Chrysanthemum flower is likely to become the flavour of the autumn season in Kashmir.
Published – October 24, 2025 03:30 am IST
