Delhi Blooms: Millions of Tulips Light Up Capital

The annual tulip festival, organized by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), has officially opened in Delhi, showcasing millions of vibrant tulips. This year, approximately 5.5 lakh tulips are expected to bloom across the city, with a significant portion, some 5.17 lakh, grown from bulbs imported from the Netherlands, a global leader in tulip cultivation.

The festival transforms central Delhi, particularly Shanti Path, into a carpet of colours, including bright yellow, orange, deep red, pink, and white. Visitors have been flocking to the displays, capturing photos and enjoying the brief spring beauty. The event is a highlight for many, including octogenarians Kittu Chib and Shashi Baveja, who have made attending a tradition.

Efforts to cultivate tulips domestically have also been expanding. The NDMC established a Tulip Growth Cum Storage Chamber in 2022, contributing to the growth of indigenous bulbs. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has also utilized a substantial number of bulbs this season.

Historically, tulips have a rich cultural resonance, originating in Central Asia and cultivated in Persia, with significant historical and cultural ties to modern-day Iran and the Netherlands. The flower gained immense popularity in Europe during the 17th-century Dutch 'Tulip Mania.' India has seen a rise in tulip popularity over the last fifteen years, with significant cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh, including Srinagar's Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.