FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Delhi’s Garden Tourism Festival – In Full Bloom

Devika Khosla

Last updated: Sep 23, 2019

“To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat” – Beverly Nichols 

A beautiful flower can stop you in your tracks, it can make you go the extra mile, and it can soften the hardest heart. It is no wonder why flowers are given a place of pride in homes, are fiercely guarded in gardens and celebrated with dedicated festivals like the Garden Tourism Festival in Delhi in February every year. 

A colourful flower display at the Garden of Five Senses, New Delhi. Photo Credit: Prabhat nhpc / Wikimedia

You might’ve thought of Delhi as a cold, dreary, foggy place in winters and you won’t be too far from the truth. But come February, and its spring time in the city; winter is packing up its arsenal, the sun is back on its throne and the seeds sown in the cold months are finally out as bright, colourful flowers, full of hope. The Garden Tourism Festival is a great time to travel to Delhi to see blooming chrysanthemums, petunias, carnations and roses over 25 acres that make up Saidul Ajab or the Garden of Five Senses, the venue of the festival.

Flowers for Every Reason and Season

Flowers are pretty, a joy to look at, and a perfect gift for a loved one. But did you know that each flower conveys a particular meaning to the receiver? In Victorian England, flowers were used to send coded messages and the art, known as floriography, is all but lost now. But wouldn’t it be fun to know exactly what message each type of flower at the Garden Tourism Festival symbolises? Make a note of the festival dates, February 15-17, spend a day or two at the Garden of Five Senses at the Delhi flower show and surprise your friends and family with your new found knowledge: 

Chrysanthemum: While red chrysanthemums send the message of love, yellow ones signify unrequited love or worse – rejected love.

Petunia: A petunia could convey either resentment or anger or tell the receiver that his presence is soothing.

Carnations: Carnations are especially expressive flowers and could mean anything from fascination to memorable (pink), admiration (red) refusal (striped) and innocence (white).

Roses: Roses once again could convey a range of emotions like love (red), mourning (deep crimson) and modesty (peach).

Larkspur: Larkspur or delphinium compliments the receiver as a fun loving and gregarious person.

Geranium: Geraniums are meant for gentle souls and make great gifts when you want to thank someone for their kindness.

At the Delhi Flower Show, make time for the kid’s painting competition – a delight for the young ones, watch cultural programs at the venue and sample some delicious street food before you head to the stalls to buy quality gardening wares like pots, hangars and sprayers.

In all, the Garden Tourism Festival is filled with nature’s most delightful offering – flowers – and makes for a great outing for the whole family. Go smell the roses and tell us all about it!