Delhi's Garden Tourism Festival: A Carnival Of Flowers And Fun

If you want to enjoy the lovely Delhi weather while also witnessing the majesty of spring, check out the Garden Tourism Festival in Delhi. The festival, organised by the Delhi Tourism Department, is an annual event that showcases a variety of flowers, plants, and garden accessories from different parts of the world. The festival also features cultural programmes, workshops, competitions, and food stalls for the visitors.

The Garden Tourism Festival was first started in 2004 by former Chief Minister, Late Mrs Sheila Dixit, at the Garden of Five Senses, a 20.5-acre park located near the Qutub Heritage Zone. The festival aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the environment and gardening among the public. The festival also provides a platform for horticulture and floriculture enthusiasts to display their skills and products.

The theme for the 36th edition of the festival, which will take place from February 16 to February 18, 2024, is "Garden of Unity". The theme reflects India's role as the host of the G20 summit, which will be held in Delhi later this year. The festival will showcase flowers and plants that represent the countries participating in the summit, such as lily from Italy, iris from France, maple leaf from Canada, chamomile from Russia, cornflower from Germany, tulip from Turkey, and many more.

The festival will also have a display of dahlia, terrariums, floral animals, medicinal plants, foliage, herbal plants, hanging baskets, cacti, bonsai, bougainvillaea, cut flowers, vegetables, and potted plants in various categories. Visitors can also buy flowers, plants, and garden accessories from the stalls set up by leading nurseries, horticulture and floriculture societies, suppliers of horticultural equipment, seed retailers, and fertiliser suppliers.

Apart from the flower show, the festival will also have several activities and events for the visitors to enjoy. There will be a soft adventure park for children, an on-the-spot painting competition for children on February 17, a magic show on February 18, and amateur band performances throughout the festival. There will also be workshops and lectures on the environment and gardening by experts and enthusiasts. A mini food festival will also be organised, where visitors can taste a variety of cuisines and delicacies.

The festival will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekends. The entry ticket is INR 40 per person on weekdays and INR 50 per person on weekends. Children below 12 years and senior citizens can enter for free. A free shuttle service from Saket Metro Station (T-Point) to the venue and back will also be available for the convenience of the visitors.

The Garden Tourism Festival is a great opportunity for the people of Delhi and beyond to experience the joy of spring and the diversity of cultures. It is also a chance to learn more about the environment and gardening and how they can contribute to a greener and healthier future.