Srinagar: Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood, Kashmir’s first chrysanthemum theme garden, has quickly become the valley’s must-visit autumn destination, drawing tourists, locals and photography enthusiasts alike.
The garden was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on 25 October 2025, during the third Autumn Flower Festival, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden in Srinagar.
Spread over more than 100 kanals (around five hectares), the garden was developed at a cost of Rs 1.869 crore. Officials estimate that it contains roughly one lakh chrysanthemum plants, which yield over 30 lakh individual blooms.
The floral variety is rich and striking. More than 50 different chrysanthemum cultivars have been planted, spanning a wide chromatic range: yellow, red, orange, white, pink, purple and even apricot. Some of the cultivars include Mount Aubisque Salmon, Artistic Dark Pink, Flavio, Cesar, Manga Red and Nova Yellow.
Strategically located at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, adjacent to Srinagar’s famed Tulip Garden, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood has been designed to extend Kashmir’s floral tourist season into the autumn months. At the inauguration, CM Abdullah noted that the garden would help “bridge the off-season gap in tourism” and provide a fresh reason for visitors to explore Kashmir beyond spring.
Since opening, the garden has caught fire on social media. Reels and short clips of the flower-filled walkways are trending across platforms, attracting droves of photographers who come to capture the dazzling tapestry of chrysanthemum blooms.
Beyond its Instagram appeal, the garden carries significant economic and ecological promise: horticulture officials believe it could attract 2–3 million visitors in the season, generating substantial revenue for local businesses.
At its heart, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood represents more than just a botanical attraction — it is a symbol of renewal and resilience, reflecting Kashmir’s efforts to build year-round tourism and celebrate its natural beauty.
