Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the Almond Blossom Festival-2026 at Badamwari (Almond Alcove), titled ‘Badam Vaer Blooms’, in Srinagar’s historic old city, heralding the arrival of spring in Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister, as per an official press release said that the Almond Blossom Festival symbolizes Kashmir’s timeless connection with nature and its vibrant cultural traditions.
“Badamwari has always been a cherished part of Srinagar’s heritage. The blooming almond blossoms mark not only the arrival of spring but also the spirit of renewal, hope and cultural vibrancy that defines Kashmir,” he said.
He added that such festivals help revive historic spaces while promoting tourism and creating economic opportunities for local artisans and artists.
“Events like the Almond Blossom Festival provide a wonderful platform to showcase the grandeur of Kashmir’s Spring season, cultural heritage, traditional crafts and artistic talent. These also help attract tourists and encourage community participation in preserving our heritage,” the chief minister said.
The event was organized by the Floriculture department and witnessed participation from top officials, artists and a large number of visitors, including students and tourists.
Ministers Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture department Zubair Ahmad, Director Floriculture, Mathura Masoom Director Handicrafts Mussarat ul Islam and other senior officers including senior officers of Jammu & Kashmir Bank who were also present on the occasion.
During the visit, the chief minister took a tour of the almond alcove and happily obliged enthusiastic visitors who sought selfies with him, adding to the lively and festive atmosphere at the historic garden.
The chief minister commended the Floriculture department for development of Badamwari and opening it for visitors on time which has seen huge footfall of tourists and locals in early spring season.
On the occasion, the chief minister also inaugurated an online ticketing portal (e-ticketing system) for gardens across Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at simplifying the ticketing process and improving visitor convenience.
“The introduction of online ticketing for our gardens is an important step towards modernizing tourist facilities and ensuring a seamless experience for visitors,” he said, adding that the initiative will make garden access easier and more efficient for tourists as well as locals.
The digital platform has been developed as a joint initiative between the Floriculture Department and J&K Bank to make the process of purchasing garden entry tickets simple, transparent and accessible for visitors. The system enables tourists and visitors to book tickets online for various gardens, eliminating the need to stand in queues at ticket counters, the press release said.
It said the newly introduced platform offers several user-friendly features aimed at improving the visitor experience. It provides online booking of tickets through the portal (https://floriculture.jk.gov.in), allowing visitors to plan their visits conveniently and securely. The system eliminates the inconvenience of standing in long queues at garden ticket counters, reduces dependency on cash transactions and physical contact, and facilitates better crowd management, thereby enhancing the overall visitor experience.
To ensure a seamless transaction experience, the platform supports multiple digital payment options including debit cards, credit cards, UPI and e-banking, enabling visitors to complete bookings through their preferred mode of payment.
The introduction of this online ticketing system marks an important step towards modernising visitor services and leveraging digital technology to enhance transparency and efficiency in the management of garden entries.
The chief minister also inspected an exhibition set up at Badamwari where progressive farmers, florists and artisans had displayed their produce and handicrafts. He appreciated the stall owners for showcasing a wide variety of products and commended their contribution towards preserving Kashmir’s traditional crafts, and for their ventures in horticulture and floriculture.
‘Unjust’ war imposed on Iran should end: CM
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the “unjust” war imposed on the people of Iran should end and peace should prevail, asserting that the US and Israel do not get to decide the leadership of the country.
He said it is for the people of Iran to decide about their leadership.
“At the end of the day, what we want is peace. We want this unjust war that has been imposed on the people of Iran to stop. As I have said time and again, America and Israel don’t get to decide who the leader of Iran is. Israel and the US don’t get to decide who the Supreme Leader is,” Abdullah told reporters here.
The chief minister said Iran’s assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not just the leader of Iran, “he was an acknowledged religious leader for the entire Muslim Ummah”.
“So, this should not be seen as a conflict with Iran; it has far wider implications,” he added.
Abdullah welcomed the Indian ships being allowed to carry fuel through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Anything that allows us to keep our prices low is a good thing, whether that means buying oil from Russia or being able to transport our gas and fuel supplies through the strait, which otherwise is closed for everybody else. It is good for us,” he said.
However, he added that while India will benefit from the move, “ultimately we will benefit when peace prevails. And we want this unjust war to end”. (PTI)
