Badamwari is Srinagar's almond garden on the foothills of Hari Parbat, revived and opened in 2008: when the almond trees blossom, how to time your visit, what it is like in other seasons, and how to pair it with Hari Parbat and the old city.
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Quick Answer: Badamwari is an almond garden of about 300 kanals on the foothills of Hari Parbat in Srinagar's old city, revived and opened to the public in 2008. Its almond trees blossom white and pale pink in March, usually for two to three weeks, the first sign of spring in Kashmir. Other months, it is a quiet green garden.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
For Kashmiris, spring does not start with the tulips. It starts at Badamwari, when the almond trees below Hari Parbat burst into blossom while the mountains are still white. Families walk up in the March sun, older people sit under the branches with a flask of kahwa, and photographers wait for the wind to drop. Badamwari (Badam Vaer, the almond garden) is the oldest spring ritual in Srinagar.
This guide explains when to go, what to expect and what to pair it with. For the wider season, see our almond and walnut blossom guide.
Badamwari at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Foothills of Hari Parbat, old city Srinagar |
| Size | About 300 kanals |
| Opened | Revived and opened to the public in 2008 |
| Blossom | Usually March, for about two to three weeks |
| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
| Pair with | Hari Parbat, the old city, then the tulip garden in April |
When does the almond blossom at Badamwari?
The almond trees usually blossom in March, a few weeks before the tulips. Exact dates move each year with the weather: a warm February brings them early, a cold March delays them. The peak lasts about two to three weeks, and rain or wind can strip the petals in a day.
- Watch local news and social media from late February; reports of first blossom appear quickly.
- Plan your Srinagar days around mid-March as a starting guess, then adjust.
- Go early on a weekday morning for soft light and fewer people.
- Keep a flexible day in case rain arrives on your planned visit.
Local tip: if you can only come once in spring, aim for the overlap: late almond blossom in Badamwari and the first tulips in the tulip garden, often around late March to early April.
Related reading: Sanasar: The Cup-Shaped Meadow and Lake Near Patnitop
What is Badamwari like in other seasons?
Photography tip: bring a light jacket even on sunny March days, because mornings below Hari Parbat are still cold, and the best light on the blossom comes before 10 am. Tripods may be restricted on crowded weekends, so travel light.
Outside March, Badamwari is a calm, green garden with lawns, paths, a wooden pavilion and views up to Hari Parbat fort. In summer it is shady and quiet; in autumn the leaves turn; in winter the trees are bare and the garden is mostly empty. It is worth a short visit any time you are at Hari Parbat, but only March makes it a destination.
What is the history of Badamwari?
The garden lies at the foot of Hari Parbat, inside the area once enclosed by the fortification around the hill, and almond orchards have grown on these slopes for generations. Its early history is not well documented, and sources differ. What is clear is the modern chapter: the garden was restored and formally opened to the public in 2008. It is also tied to Navreh, the Kashmiri Pandit New Year in spring, when families traditionally visit Hari Parbat and then walk down among the almond blossom.
One line many Kashmiris would agree with: the almond trees at Badamwari are the valley's calendar, and when they flower, winter is over.
Related reading: Zero Bridge Srinagar: The Wooden Footbridge Over the Jhelum
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Badamwari vs the tulip garden: which spring garden?
| Badamwari | Tulip garden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Almond blossom on trees | Tulip beds in many colours |
| When | Usually March | Usually late March to April |
| Feel | Old orchard, local, historic | Large, planted, very popular |
| Crowds | Moderate | Heavy on weekends |
They are different moods of the same spring. If your dates allow, see both. Read our tulip festival guide.
What is near Badamwari?
- ✓Hari Parbat fort, directly above; see our Hari Parbat guide.
- ✓Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta; see our Jamia Masjid guide.
- ✓The old city; see our Srinagar old city walking tour.
Coming for spring? We time your trip to the blossom and the tulips.
Plan a spring trip →Via Kashmir plans spring trips around the blossom calendar, with verified hotels, houseboats on Dal and Nigeen, Kashmir packages and local cabs. Tell us your dates and we will tell you what is flowering that week.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Badamwari?
March, when the almond trees blossom, usually for about two to three weeks. Exact dates change with the weather each year.
Where is Badamwari garden?
On the foothills of Hari Parbat in Srinagar's old city, close to the fort and to Jamia Masjid.
Is Badamwari worth visiting outside March?
Yes for a short, quiet walk if you are at Hari Parbat, but it is at its best only during the almond blossom.
When was Badamwari opened?
The garden was revived and formally opened to the public in 2008.
What is the difference between Badamwari and the tulip garden?
Badamwari is an almond orchard that blossoms in March; the tulip garden is a planted flower garden that peaks in late March and April.
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