The 4th Lavender Festival 2026 commenced at Bhaderwah with the inauguration by Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, celebrating the remarkable success of the Purple Revolution and the transformative impact of the CSIR Aroma Mission.

The festival, themed “Lavender Goes Global”, showcases how science, innovation and entrepreneurship are empowering farmers, startups and rural communities across the Himalayan region. From lavender cultivation and value-added products to startup innovations and industry collaborations, the event reflects the journey of Bhaderwah from a remote hill town to India’s leading lavender hub.

The occasion was graced by CSIR Director General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, CSIR-IIIM Director Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, BCCI President Mithun Manhas, Prof. V.K. Singh, Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, Dr. Suphla Gupta, Dr. Saurabh Saran, public representatives, scientists, entrepreneurs and progressive farmers.