Written by Ritesh Dhar
The historic Empress Garden Flower Show 2026 will be dedicated to late Dr. Madhav Gadgil, Padma Bhushan, senior environmentalist and honorary member of the Agro-Horticultural Society of Western India. Organizers said the tribute aims to recognize Gadgil’s lifelong contribution to the protection and conservation of the environment.
The exhibition will be formally inaugurated on Friday, January 23 at 12 noon Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar at the Empress Garden premises. A special tribute meeting will be held immediately after the inauguration to express gratitude and pay tribute to Dr. Gadgil’s work in safeguarding India’s ecological heritage.
Organizers highlighted that Japanese-style ikebana flower arrangements and a stunning display of bonsai trees will be among this year’s main attractions. (Source: Photo Express)
Like every year, the grand flower exhibition will be organized at the historic Empress Garden in Pune. The exhibition will be open to the public from January 23 to 27. On the opening day it will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., while from January 24 to 27 the hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Organizers highlighted that Japanese-style ikebana flower arrangements and a stunning display of bonsai trees will be among this year’s main attractions. The fair is also expected to see participation at the state level, with participation of renowned nursery professionals from Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik and other regions.
For gardening enthusiasts, a series of competitions have been organized including flower arranging competitions, fruit and vegetable competitions and attractive pot competitions, with no registration fee. In particular, more than 800 students from various schools have registered for painting and writing competitions, encouraging creativity and environmental awareness among children.
The fair is expected to have state-level participation, with participation of renowned nursery professionals from Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik and other regions. (Source: Photo Express)
Managed by the Agro-Horticultural Society of Western India, established in 1830, the Empress Garden remains a living legacy of Pune’s green heritage. Organizers said the flower exhibition is not planned simply for entertainment but also to inculcate love for nature and environmental responsibility among citizens. The public has been urged to come in large numbers to enjoy the flower display and pay tribute to Dr. Gadgil.