Sonia Gandhi to open Asia's largest tulip garden

Srinagar, Mar 29: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will inaugurate Asia's largest tulip garden on the foothills of Zabarwan in Srinagar today. Known as 'Siraj Bagh', the garden has more than 60 varieties of early, mid, late and very late blooming tulips, spreading a rainbow of red, orange, purple, white, pink, parrot and yellow colours.

Over 12 lakh tulips are blooming in the garden, which is spread over 600 kanals of land. The garden was scheduled to open in April, but due to early blooming of the tulips, it is opening today. Brainchild of State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the garden is being considered as a major attraction among tourists.

'Siraj Bagh', which has become home to tulips in Kashmir, has a unique and feasible topography with a plane area in the centre that suits different varieties of flowers. It has slopes suited for different varieties of fruit plants and hilly slopes with wilderness suitable for wild flora and bushes.

Tight security arrangements have been made in view of her visit.

ANI