Thousands throng Mughal gardens in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 14 (UNI) Thousands today thronged the Mughal Gardens, on the bank of famed Dal Lake, which reopened for the first time on the occasion of Baisakhi after remaining closed for the winter months.

People, including women and children besides a good number of tourists in colourful dresses thronged the gardens, including Nishat, Shalimar, Cheshmashahi and Botanical gardens since this morning.

The main attraction this time was Siraj Bagh garden where thousands of Tulip flowers in different colours were attracting visitors.

Though Baisakhi is being celebrated as a harvest festival in different parts of the country, but in the Valley it sends a signal to tourists around the world about the arrival of summer in Kashmir.

Special transport arrangements had been made from the city to these gardens for visitors who had come from different parts of the valley. A good number of tourists from other states and abroad could also be seen visiting the gardens posing for photographs.

A group of tourists from Mumbai said this was the right season to visit Kashmir. The temperature is good and there are lots of flowers around, they said while taking photographs in Kashmiri dresses in Nishat garden.

"Anything can happen anywhere in India," they said adding that they found people very friendly and cooperative here.

A large number of Sikh community, who visited the gardens, were joined by Muslim youths in perform 'Bhangra' a Punjabi dance.

The shikarawalas (boatmen) in the Dal Lake, who were almost without work during winter, had a field day today as people engaged them for joy rides.

To avoid any untoward incident, security forces were deployed outside the gardens.

Visitors, including men and children were being frisked before allowing them inside the garden.

UNI