With the start of February and onset of Basant Panchami which marks the beginning of spring was a perfect time for the announcement of the 2 nd edition of The Tulip festival in New Delhi. For the last 2-3 years NDMC has been planting tulip bulbs all over Delhi which were imported as part of the Indo-Dutch friendship. The entire stretch of about 1.5 km of Shanti Path which is popularly known as the Embassy area was dotted with rows of beautiful pink, yellow, red, white, orange and even dual colored tulips.
I got a chance to visit the festival with my daughter and my dog in tow. The best part about the festival was that is by the side of a road, no entry fee and it’s a refreshing walk going up and down the entire road. Seeing the sea of beautiful flowers it reminded me of the Bollywood songs from the movie Silsila “Dekha ek khwaab to ye silsele huey” and ” Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum”. Infact the words of that song resounded in my mind as well as I felt transported to another world with all the beautiful flowers around me. Many people took the opportunity to take romantic pictures among the flowers to post on their instagram and facebook feeling like Amitabh and Rekha themselves. To make the view more exciting and meaningful large display boards were setup with information about the flower, its history and the Indo-Dutch diplomacy as well as photographs taken by amateur photographers during the previous year’s festival. When there are so many people can food be far away.
Many vendors were all around selling Bhelpuri, golgappe, kachori, ice cream and lemon soda. The whole atmosphere was one of a picnic. While talsking to one of the gardeners we found out that they have undergone special training in planting and care of the flowers. They also told us that these flowers have a very short life so these have been planted intercropped with petunias, pansies, dianthus etc which will bloom as the tulips come to the end of their bloom.
Now, no need for a an expensive trip to Netherlands or Denmark to enjoy the beautiful tulips blooming. Its right here in the heart of the capital city.
