Introduction


Srinagar is the largest city of Kashmir which is also the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and due to its qualities its also a center of attraction for tourists. Srinagar is spread over an area of 103.93 sq kms. and its height above sea level is 1730 meters. This is a beautiful tourist place with mixture of various castes, cultures and languages. The main specialty about this city are its waterfalls and gardens made by Mughal emperors which represent the beauty of 4th and 5th century. 


Various historians have different views about the establishment of Srinagar but to days truth is that Srinagar is surrounded on both the sides of Jhelum river. Mountains covered with snow, beautiful trees of Chinar, beautiful valleys ,world famous lakes like Nagina and Dall represents the view of this city. Due to its nice climate Srinagar attracts tourist throughout the year. 


Srinagar,the summer capital of Kashmir stands on Dal Lake and the picturesque Jhelum river. It is a city with a distinctly Central Asian flavour,when we head south to Srinagar it is often referred to as returning to India. 

  
General Information

Location: Kashmir Region, J&K
Main Attractions: Canels, Houseboats & Mughal Gardens
Significance: Capital Of J & K.
Best Time To Visit: June To Early November, December To February

Places to see



Hari Parbat Fort - Hari parbat fort lies on the northeast of Srinagar on Sharika mountain. This fort was built by Atta Muhammad khan in 18th century. Ata Mumammad khan was an afghan ruler. The boundary wall of this fort was built by Akbar in 1592-98. On the boundary wall of fort there are gardens of 'almonds'. To enter this fort permission of state govt. is required.


Dal Lake - Dal lake is situated in between the city. At present the area of Dal lake is 12 sq kms. Earlier it was spread over 28 sq kms. There are many islands inside the lake whch are centre of attraction. Apart from these there is also Nagina lake which was earlier connected with Dal lake. There is small way from Hazratbal to reach this lake which is in the shape of a ring. the main attractions of this lake are Islands,Houseboats and Floating gardens. The best time to visit is from the month of june to august. Dal Lake is divided into three parts by manmade causeways. The small islands are willow covered,while round the lake are groves of chinar,poplar and willow. The mihrbahri people lived around the lake for centuries and are market gardeners, tending the floating bed of vegetables and flowers that they have made. 


Hazatbal Dargah - -Hazratbal dargah is on the west bank of the Dal lake. On its one side there are mountain ranges and on the other side its lake which represents beautiful sight seeing. This modern white shiny mosque is on the northwest of the Dal Lake. Enshrined here is hair of the prophet,but for non believers its most interesting for its lakeside settling with mountains behind it. 

Pari Mahal  is a budhist monastry. Mughal emperor son Darahshikoh convereted it in to a school of astrology.


Shankaracharya Hill

Shankaracharya hill is behind the Boulevard. The temple was built during the Jehangir's reign but is said to be over a second century BC temple built by Ashokas son. The hill was known as Takht-i-Sulaiman-The throne of Solomon. 

Mughal Gardens



Set in front of the triangle of the Dal lake created by intersecting causeways with slender bride at the centre lies the famous Nishat Bagh(Garden of Godness). Sandwiched between the hills and the lake,it was laid out by asaf khan,Nurjahan's brother in 1632.

Shalimar Bagh is about 4 kms away set back from the lake. A channel extends up to their edge. Built by Jehangir for his wife Nur jahan,the gardens are distinguished by a series of terraces linked by water channel. These are surrounded by decorative pools which can only be reached by stepping stones. The uppermost pavilion has elegant black marble pillars and niches in the walls for flowers during the day and candles and lamps at night. 

Chashma Shahi  (Royal Spring,1632) is a much smaller garden built around the course of renowned spring and is attributed to Shah Jahan though it has been altered over the centuries. It has waterfalls with healing properties ,gardens and picnic spots by dal lake.

Dastgir Mosque

About 250 years old this is more important mosques in kashmir in that it contains the relics of the revered Muslim Saint Pir Dastgir. It has a beautiful papier mache decorated interior mostly in green. 


Shah Kamden Mosque








This is a beautiful place of architecture that looks quite Nepali. Originally built in 1395,it bunred down in 1479 and 1731. The current building has a pyramidal roof rising to a spire and is typical of kashmiri mosques with Budhist,Muslim and Hindu influences. 

Jamia Masjid - Jamia masjid-jamia masjid was built by king alexzender in 1400. After that his son Zain-ul-abidin got extended it which became and destroyed in the history. Today what we watch the present mosque, it was built by dogra emperor Maharaja Pratap Singh. The Jama Masjid is notable for wooden pillars supporting the wooden roof,each made from a single deodar tree. Its notable for the 300 plus pillars supporting the roof each was the trunk of a single tree. To the southeast is the Rozahbal mosque,which has the tomb of jesus. Across the river is the pattar masjid(1623)built for emperor Nurjahan and renamed Shahi Mosque. 
 
Pathar Masjid
Built by queen Nur jahan(wife of Jehangir) in 1623 this is a bare building in the Mughal style set in peaceful gardens. 

Tomb Of Zain-ul-Abidin
On the east side of Jhelum is an important brick structure that is supported to house the tomb of son of Sultan Sikander. Its said that its actually his mother buried here, and that he's in the courtyard cemetery behind. The building shows clear Persian influence in its domed construction and glazed tiles. Surrounded it are many graves of ordinary people. 

Sultan arfaen's Shrine
This important Muslim shrine is on a path upto the fort(its also the nearest u will get to the fort). Marble papier-mache work and delicate wood carving make this an interesting place to visit. The road to the shrine passes through a city gate and walls built by Akbar as unemployment relief work. 

Sri Pratap Sing Museum
This museum is laid out in the former summer palace of Maharaja. The setting is therefore wondrously palatial with papier-mache-decorated walls and ceilings for the displays of archaeological artefacts,mammoth remains, paintings,old coins and notes(one the size of a handkerchief), papier-mâché boxes and martial items. 

Wular Lake -its at a distance of 47kms. famous for its scenic beauty, fishing and is largest fresh water lake in Asia.