SRINAGAR: A day after the Tulip Garden was thrown open for a fortnight and the officials announced a Tulip Festival, there is massive rush to the Zarbawan Hills. What is interesting, however, is that it is the local residents who keep the show going on.
A separatist sponsored strike and a better sunny day has actually led thousands of people, mostly from Srinagar, to have a look of the Tulip crowd. At one point of time, there was almost 30-minute waiting outside the main gate to get the ticket.
“I had come with the kids to have a couple of photographs with them,” one visitor from Barzalla said. “You must know we live in selfie age and kids are the main drivers of the trend and what is the better place for selfie than this garden.”
Tulips are in full bloom and it seems as if all colours have showered in this space. People are getting into garden separators to have quick selfies and a bit of videos. Some visitors are broadcasting their visits live on the 4G, thanks to extended Jio services.
The garden is home to almost 15 lakh Tulips from 46 varieties in addition to hyacinths, daffodils and ranunculus.
Authorities for many years have been promoting this garden for the sole reason that it will advance the tourist season. The fact is that are not many tourists around in the garden. For a moment, if locals are denied an entry ticket, this will become a beautiful space for ghosts. Right now, locals are keeping the cash register running.
Tourism department has engaged a number of singers for live performances. There is a good group of locals watching the performance. Besides, food items are available including Biryani and other foods. Some retailers have pitched their kiosks to showcase and sell handicrafts. But there are not many buyers, right now.
Managers said there were a few foreign groups in the garden on Saturday and early on Saturday. However, they had no idea if there was ay film crew that visited the garden.
