The 15-day ‘Tulip Festival’ kick-started at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in the lap of Zabarwan Hills here today. Spread over 600 kanals of land, the largest Tulip Garden of the Asia with over 1.5 million flowers of more than 46 varieties was thrown open for public.While inaugurating the festival, Secretary Tourism, Farooq Shah, said that this year the festival would be celebrated on the theme of ‘Bahaar-e-Kashmir’. He said stalls from various allied departments have been installed in the garden for the convenience of tourists and to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the State. The added attraction of the festival is the folk musical programmes to enliven tourists, he added.Speaking on the occasion, Director Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Muhammad Hussain Mir, said the festival is meant to boost the tourism in Kashmir during which various activities will be held to attract tourists to the famed garden. He said that in addition to tulips the other bulbous material grown in the garden include Hyacinths, Nacissus, Daffodils Muscaria and Iris.He further said that perennial water stream (an essential component of Mughal gardens) would be replicated to give good feel and attraction to the Tulip garden.Chairman and CEO, J&K Bank, said that his organization is committed to the socio-economic development of the State and would collaborate with allied departments for the promotion of tourism. Director Tourism Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmad Shah, also spoke on the occasion.Apart from enjoying the Sufi and folk music organized by the Cultural Academy, visitors can make purchases from multiple stalls installed inside the garden by JKTDC, Handicrafts and other departments.The entry fee for adults is Rs. 50 while for children above the age of five years is Rs 20. (KNS)