Colourful flowers have begun blooming at the Government Botanical Garden in Ooty, signalling the onset of the summer tourist season in the Nilgiris, one of India’s most popular hill destinations.
The Nilgiris attracts over 30 lakh tourists annually, with more than 10 lakh visitors arriving during the peak summer months of April and May. With the season picking up, tourist footfall in Ooty has started increasing steadily and is expected to rise further after the Assembly elections on April 23.
The annual flower show, a major attraction of the summer festival, is expected to be held in the second week of May, though official dates are yet to be announced. Preparatory works for the event are currently progressing at a brisk pace inside the Botanical Garden.
Around 35,000 flower pots have been arranged, and several varieties including pansy, salvia and cyclamen have already started blooming, offering a vibrant visual treat for visitors. These flowers will be showcased in specially arranged pavilions during the exhibition.
Tourists are also exploring attractions such as the Fern House and the Glass House, where a wide range of fern and cactus species are on display. Visitors have been seen enjoying the scenic beauty, taking photographs and capturing selfies amid the blooming landscape.
