Kashmir Bets on Chrysanthemums to Keep Tourism Blooming Beyond Spring
By: Javid Amin | 04 October 2025
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir — After the record-breaking success of the Tulip Festival earlier this year, Kashmir’s tourism authorities are cultivating a fresh chapter in the Valley’s floral story — one filled with color, fragrance, and resilience.
Enter the Chrysanthemum Festival 2025, a first-of-its-kind celebration at Srinagar’s iconic Botanical Garden, where over 80,000 blooms across 60+ varieties will paint the landscape in golden yellows, fiery reds, lavender purples, and snowy whites.
This initiative, launched jointly by the Department of Tourism and Department of Floriculture, aims to extend Kashmir’s tourist calendar well into the shoulder months of October and November, traditionally quieter after summer.
“This is not just about flowers — it’s about extending the tourism calendar,” said Dr. Farooq Ahmad, Director of Floriculture. “Tulips gave us a strong start in spring. Chrysanthemums will now carry that momentum into autumn.”
A Garden Reimagined: From Tulip Fields to Autumn Wonder
The venue, Srinagar’s Botanical Garden, sits gracefully beside the world-famous Tulip Garden, overlooking the Zabarwan Hills and Dal Lake — a location that already ranks among Asia’s most photographed landscapes.
For this festival, the garden has undergone a spectacular transformation. Seasonal walkways lined with floral arches, vertical installations, and interactive selfie zones now blend art and horticulture. Visitors can stroll among glowing petals while enjoying live folk performances, Kashmiri craft stalls, and culinary kiosks serving wazwan, kehwa, and local bakery delights.
“We wanted to make this not just a visual experience but a sensory one,” said a floriculture official. “You see, smell, taste, and hear the essence of Kashmir here.”
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Tourism & Economic Impact: A Blooming Strategy
The Tulip Festival 2025 drew more than 3.2 lakh visitors, generating substantial revenue for local hoteliers, artisans, and transport operators. Officials now expect the Chrysanthemum Festival to increase off-season tourism by 15–20%, attracting honeymooners, photographers, and nature enthusiasts seeking a less-crowded Kashmir.
Local travel agencies have swiftly adapted. JKL Travels, a Srinagar-based tour company, has curated exclusive autumn packages that blend flower viewing with saffron harvesting in Pampore, Chinar walks in Naseem Bagh, and houseboat stays on Dal Lake.
“We’re seeing strong interest from couples and families who missed the tulip season but still want to experience Kashmir in bloom,” said Javid Amin, founder of JKL Travels.
Sustainability & Community at the Heart of the Festival
Beyond tourism, the festival is rooted in eco-conscious and community-driven practices.
The Department of Floriculture has implemented:
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Water-efficient irrigation systems using drip networks.
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Composting and waste segregation zones.
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Biodegradable floral decor made by local artisans.
Women-led cooperatives from Pulwama and Budgam are supplying potted chrysanthemums, ensuring income for small growers. “It’s not just a festival — it’s a livelihood,” said Shabnam Jan, a nursery owner from Pulwama.
This grassroots model strengthens rural participation, horticultural training, and local pride, transforming the festival into a celebration of both flowers and people.
A Photographer’s Dreamscape
For photography lovers, this festival offers cinematic frames that rival Europe’s autumn gardens. Imagine: rows of chrysanthemums glowing under soft sunlight, mirrored by Dal Lake’s reflections, with amber Chinar leaves carpeting the pathways.
Wedding photographers, vloggers, and influencers have already begun sharing teasers tagged #GulEDawood, #KashmirInBloom, and #AutumnInKashmir, turning social media into a living exhibition.
The garden’s new “Golden Hour Trail”, designed for sunrise and sunset walks, offers perfect lighting for photography enthusiasts — whether you’re using a DSLR or just your smartphone.
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Festival Calendar & Highlights
| Event | Date / Day | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony | October 15, 2025 | Inaugural address, floral parade, live sufi music |
| Cultural Evenings | Every Saturday | Folk music, poetry readings, storytelling sessions |
| Photography Walks | Sundays at 10 AM | Guided tours with local photographers |
| Floral Art Workshops | Every Wednesday | Learn to create your own chrysanthemum arrangements |
| Closing Ceremony | November 30, 2025 | Folk dance performance & lighting of “Garden of Hope” |
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Visitor Information & Accessibility
The Botanical Garden will be open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily, with:
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Sanitized and wheelchair-accessible pathways
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On-site medical and emergency assistance
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Ample parking and local taxi service points
Tickets:
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₹50 for adults
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₹25 for children
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₹30 for students (with ID)
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₹100 for camera entry (professional use)
Location: Boulevard Road, near Cheshmashahi, Srinagar
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (15 km)
Kashmir’s Floral Renaissance
The Chrysanthemum Festival symbolizes Kashmir’s strategic transformation from a seasonal destination to a year-round experience. With tulips in spring, lavender in summer, saffron and chrysanthemums in autumn, and snow in winter — Kashmir now offers a 12-month travel calendar that appeals to all moods and travelers.
“Nature doesn’t go off-season in Kashmir — it just changes color,” said Rehana Begum, a local tour planner.
This visionary shift has already inspired other regions — including Pahalgam and Yusmarg — to plan off-season nature festivals, further strengthening J&K’s brand as India’s premier eco-tourism hub.
Also Read | Explore Kashmir in Autumn – Book Your Dream Tour with JKL Travels
Travel Packages & Autumn Offers
Sweet Autumn Escape — 4 Nights / 5 Days
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Stay in a boutique Srinagar hotel + houseboat experience
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Entry to Chrysanthemum Festival
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Excursion to Gulmarg, Sonamarg & Pahalgam
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Free couple photoshoot at Botanical Garden
Starting at ₹27,500 per couple
Bloom & Beyond — 6 Nights / 7 Days
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Explore Chrysanthemum & Tulip Gardens
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Visit saffron fields of Pampore
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Walk under golden Chinars in Naseem Bagh
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Cultural evening in downtown Srinagar
Starting at ₹34,999 per person
Family Colors of Kashmir — 5 Nights / 6 Days
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Family-friendly guided tour
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Pony rides, Shikara ride & Mughal Garden visit
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Entry tickets and transfers included
Starting at ₹42,999 per family of 3
Also Read | Houseboats on Dal Lake – Stay in Srinagar’s Floating Paradise
Inclusions:
✔️ 3–4 Star Hotels / Houseboats
✔️ Breakfast & Dinner
✔️ Private Vehicle & Local Guide
✔️ Garden Entry Passes & Festival Tickets
✔️ 24/7 On-ground Assistance
📞 Call / WhatsApp: +91 97960 24 365 | +91 88033 24 365
🌐 Website: www.jkltravels.com | www.kashmirtravels.in
📩 Email: sales@jkltravels.com | sales@kashmirtravels.in
Limited Autumn Slots (Oct–Nov 2025) – Book Early & Save 10% on Advance Bookings!
Final Word
As autumn deepens over the valley and Chinars turn gold, the Chrysanthemum Festival stands as a living metaphor for Kashmir’s resilience — beauty that endures, adapts, and inspires.
From flower to flower, from tulip to chrysanthemum, Kashmir’s tourism narrative continues to evolve — blossoming not just across gardens, but in the hearts of those who walk them.
