Div Com inaugurates 3rd Chrysanthemum Show at Lal Chowk; says it will soon rival Tulip season in fame
SRINAGAR: Following the famed Gul-e-Lala (Tulip) bloom of spring, the Gul-e-Dawood (Chrysanthemum) season is fast emerging as a signature autumn attraction for both tourists and locals in Srinagar. On Saturday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, inaugurated the 3rd Chrysanthemum Show at Clock Tower, Lal Chowk, organized jointly by SKUAST-K, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL).
As the city’s heart blooms in a vibrant spectrum of Gul-e-Dawood varieties, the Div Com invited tourists, residents, and students to visit and enjoy the floral showcase, which will continue to uplift spirits until November 20.
Speaking at the inauguration, Garg lauded SKUAST-K’s initiative, calling the show “a beautiful way to bring nature’s colours to the city centre and connect directly with the people.”
Highlighting the economic potential of floriculture, he said, “Cut flowers form a major industry worldwide and present a great opportunity for progressive farmers to enhance their income.”
Garg noted that for the past two decades, Kashmir has been globally renowned for its Tulip season, which draws visitors from across India and abroad. “Autumn in Kashmir is just as colourful and charming as spring, summer, or winter,” he added, expressing hope that the Chrysanthemum Show would become another magnet for tourists, further boosting the region’s visitor influx.
He also announced that dedicated Chrysanthemum gardens would be developed at key city locations to enhance Srinagar’s beauty and contribute to the vibrancy of the Smart City project.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad, said, “We have transformed a bustling commercial hub into a colourful garden,” and appealed to the business community to help maintain the floral display throughout the event period.
CEO SSCL, Faz Lul Haseeb, highlighted the collaboration between SKUAST-K and Smart City, noting its potential to significantly increase tourist footfall in Srinagar.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the business community, traders, students, locals, and officials from various departments.
