The Tulip Garden in Srinagar, the Asia’s largest, where 1.5 million flowers bloom, opened for the public on Sunday.

Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was opened in 2008 by then chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad to boost tourism in the Valley.

Spread over an area of about 30 hectares  the garden is located in Zabarwan foothills surrounding famous Dal lake. .

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the opening ceremony said that about 68 varieties of tulips will bloom in the garden this year. He said that last year the garden witnessed 3.60 lakh visitors, which is the highest since it was opened.

The LG expressed hope that this year’s visitor footfall surpasses last year’s numbers.  A new tulip garden will also be opened in April in Sanasar area of the Jammu region in which 2.75 lakh tulips of 25 varieties will bloom.