JERUSALEM — The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens will host its inaugural Lotus and Indian Culture Festival over three weekends in 2026. The festival is scheduled for June 25-27, July 3-4, and July 9-11.

The event program includes a variety of cultural activities such as Indian dance, art, clothing, music, and family workshops. Festival attendees can also participate in Bollywood-style group dancing, receive henna temporary tattoos, and visit an Indian-themed arts and crafts fair. There will also be a stall for trying on saris.

The festival will also provide guided tours of the gardens and rides on a miniature train. Yoga sessions will be offered by the waterside, and a lotus flower photography contest is part of the planned activities. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv supports the festival.

Lotus flowers are located in the circular pond near the entrance of the Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens began introducing lotus flowers approximately six years prior to 2026. Tom Amit, CEO of the Botanical Gardens, stated, "The Botanical Gardens Lake is very old. But around six years ago, we started to bring in lotus flowers."

Amit said, "The lotus is a sacred and very important flower. It is noted right across the East, in many cultures, at major events, and in legend." He added, "The goal of the Botanical Gardens is to bring vegetation from all around the world. We also wanted to have the lotus flower here."

Amit said, "We were astounded by the success of our lake. The flower comes out more beautiful than anywhere else." He continued, "I have seen lots of lakes with lotus flowers, in Thailand and in India, and even in Japan. I have to say that the display we have here is the most beautiful." Regarding the color, he said, "There is something about the stronger pink color we have here. I don't know why that is. Perhaps that is because some of the leachate [groundwater] that runs off the tarmac of Jerusalem's roads and eventually drains into our pond has some special constituent and does something good to our vegetation."

Admission to the Botanical Gardens costs NIS 40 for adults and NIS 35 for children. Children who hold a Yerushalmi resident card can enter the Botanical Gardens for free during the event.