Diverse collection of plants available, featuring annual, biennial, and perennial species, with prices ranging from ₹20 to ₹20,000
Shoolini University’s 12th Flower Festival was a huge success, attracting visitors from Solan and surrounding areas. Celebrating nature, sustainability, and creativity, the vibrant display of over 145 varieties of plants continued for three days, starting on the 28th of March. Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali inaugurated the event.
Several schools in the region, including Geeta Adarsh School, BL Central, St. Luke’s, St. Mary’s, Government High School Anji, and Government School Dharja, were invited for the show.
The festival featured a diverse collection of plants, including annual, biennial, and perennial species, with prices ranging from ₹20 to ₹20,000. So, every plant lover could go back home with their plant. Bougainvillea, a multicoloured plant that took 10 years to cultivate, became the star attraction of the festival. Its vibrant flowers and impressive size made it the most expensive and visually striking plant on display. The Ranunculus plant, with its affordable price range of ₹50 to ₹500, emerged as the top seller of the event, admired by visitors for its beauty and accessibility. One of the most exclusive displays featured the Rhododendron Campanulatum (Gulabi Buransh), the state flower of Himachal Pradesh. The festival also introduced visitors to edible flowers, which are known for their cooling properties and benefits for mental wellness, making them perfect for the summer season.
The festival also showcased ‘Ek Mukhi Rudraksha’, a rare and spiritually significant plant, adding a sacred dimension to the event. A special section of the festival was dedicated to Deodar trees, which play a crucial role in climate regulation. Visitors purchased 4-ft saplings for a modest price of ₹120-150, supporting environmental conservation efforts. Aryaveer, a visitor from LR Institute, Solan, shared, “I attend Shoolini University’s flower fest every year and always find unique flowers on display."
The ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative was strongly featured, with plants and products from local artisans gaining admiration from visitors. Sustainable Art was another key aspect of the festival, with decorative pieces, jewellery, and utility items crafted from upcycled materials. This encouraged visitors to support sustainable living and appreciate the beauty of recycled art.
The festival offered a variety of interactive activities, including flower crown-making, pottery, and painting workshops, engaging attendees of all ages and allowing them to create their own floral masterpieces. For the first time, Mhos Art from Kangra participated in the event, showcasing exquisite paintings inspired by nature, further enhancing the cultural experience. A series of paintings by local artists, depicting nature and the environment were also on display, adding an artistic touch to the floral festivities.
Kanwaljit Singh, the famous Indian actor, said, “I’m impressed by the diverse artwork on display. My son loves paintings, and I’ve spent most of my time admiring them. Shoolini’s Flower Fest offers not just flowers but a variety of art forms. I thoroughly enjoyed the festival!”
The festival was the result of six months of meticulous planning and cultivation of seasonal plants using imported seeds to ensure a diverse and high-quality display of flowers. With an investment of over ₹70 lakh, the 12th Flower Fest 2025 became one of the most grand and well-executed floral events in the region.
Suresh Sharma, Landscape Officer at Shoolini University, said, “The motto behind this Flower Fest is to lead a happy and healthy life with Shoolini. We want people to connect with nature, adopt sustainable practices, and contribute to a greener future.”