In Pictures: 54th Rose Festival inaugurated at Zakir Hussain Rose Garden in Chandigarh

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated the 54th Rose Festival at the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden in Sector 16, Chandigarh, marking the formal commencement of the three-day annual event (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

The festival is being held from February 20 to 22, 2026, and is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the region during its scheduled run (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

The Mayor described the Rose Festival as the pride of the City Beautiful and highlighted its importance in promoting tourism and strengthening community engagement (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

The event features hundreds of rose varieties in full bloom, drawing visitors to the expansive garden that serves as the venue for the annual celebration (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

A vibrant cultural programme line-up has been organised, including folk dances, musical nights, live band performances and school presentations (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Several competitions form part of the festivities, including flower arrangement contests, on-the-spot painting, rangoli competitions, photography contests, and baby shows (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

A dedicated exhibition area showcases projects and citizen-centric initiatives of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, including achievements in waste management, sanitation reforms, smart infrastructure, green initiatives, and digital governance (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Government departments, self-help groups, and local artisans are displaying products and innovations through thematic stalls, while food courts, amusement rides for children, eco-friendly awareness stalls, and interactive engagement booths contribute to the festive atmosphere, with a large number of residents visiting the venue enthusiastically on the opening day (Source: Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)