Srinagar

Srinagar

Situated at an altitude of 1730 m above sea level, in the western part of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, with a population of approximately one million. Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Thriving on both the sides of River Jhelum, Srinagar is most famous for its numerous sublime lakes that earn it the name 'The land of Lakes'. Every corner of the city is covered with trees but green will not be the only color you will see here. The different trees, pear, apple cherry, peach, all are covered with blossoming pink and white flowers and in summers, you just can't help noticing the wild roses, they seem to spring up everywhere your eyes wander to. Just drive down in any direction, after every few kilometers you will find a fruit stall brimming with shinning fruits like apple, cherry, and oranges. Srinagar is probably the best place to look for the arts and crafts of entire Jammu and Kashmir. The city is traditionally rich in handicrafts and has number of markets from where you can have the pleasure of buying yourself the best of them all. The most famous article that Srinagar offers is the handwoven silk shawls that over the time have acquired the recognition of being the best in the world. One can also look for the famous Pashmina wool garments, Buddhist masks, traditional wears, antique jewelery, thangka paintings and many more fascinating items. Saffron, honey and walnuts have always been the shopping favorite, but apart from these, do try the distinctive spices of the city. In Srinagar, Lal chowk, Badshah chowk and Polo view are the best places where you go out for shopping. Srinagar might not have the most challenging treks for trekking and hiking, but they definitely are one of the most scenic ones in the entire country. Srinagar is more famous for adventure in waters. Srinagar is a land full of lakes with flawless charm and serenity. And the quiet waters of these lakes offer the best setting for sports like canoeing and Kayaking. Apart from these fun activities, if you move slightly out of the city, some 56 km to Gulmohar, you will be in India's premiere most Ski resort of winters where you can just skid down the snow topped hills and let all your worries go down the drain. The resort boasts of world-class facilities and is world's one of the highest lift served ski resort. People who are not very familiar with skiing need not to worry, as the resort has trained instructors and good skiing gear.

History of Srinagar

Srinagar has a glorious past. Anyone interested in the History of Srinagar will come to know that the city was founded almost about 2,000 years ago by King Pravarasena-II. At that time Srinagar was a part of the Maurya Empire and when Asoka introduced Buddhism in Kashmir then Srinagar became the center of Buddhism. The tradition of Buddhism continued with the reign of the Kushanas over Srinagar. History of Srinagar took a turn towards darkness during the reign of the Huns in the 6th century when Mihirkula started his ‘reign of terror’ in the city along with the valley. With time Srinagar came under the rule of the Mughals when Akbar by a trick defeated Yusuf Shah Chak, the ruler of Srinagar. In 1814, Srinagar became along with a large part of Kashmir, a part of Raja Ranjit Singh’s kingdom. With the Treaty of Lahore, however, in 1846, it came under the British rule and for the first time History in Srinagar witnessed the birth of a princely state with Gulab Singh as the ruler of this princely state. After the independence of India in 1947, some infiltrators suddenly attacked Srinagar and wrested control of both the city and Kashmir Valley. History of Srinagar took a new turn, now, when the ruler of Srinagar Maharaja Hari Singh who decided that he would cede neither to India nor to Pakistan, faced major problem. However, Hari Sigh had to sign a treaty with the Government of India after the attack on Srinagar and therefore agreed to cede to India. With the signing of this treaty a new era began in the History of Srinagar. Immediately the Government of India arranged for Indian troops so that the infiltrators can be cleared off the city and the valley. The incident gained much international political importance and United Nations became involved in this matter. Thereafter a cease fire was imposed by UN and therefore, some part of Kashmir remained independent. However Srinagar’s history did not undergo much change. It remained as a part of India and from that time onwards is still administered by India.

Places to visit in Srinagar Nishat Garden Nishat Garden is the wonderfully decorated park situated on the banks of the beautiful and picturesque Dal Lake. This garden was laid by Asif Khan, brother of the Mughal queen Nur Jehan in the year of 1633 A.D. The presence of the Zabarvan hills in the backdrop adds grandeur to the gorgeous setting of the Nishat Garden of Kashmir. The garden provides a wonderful view of the famous Dal Lake to the visitors. To add to the picturesque scenario of the Nishat Garden, a magnificent water channel flows right in the middle of the garden. The Nishat Garden in Kashmir is a very popular picnic spot. It receives a large number of picnickers during the summer months. Visitors enjoy the calm and peace that nature offers by taking long walks in the garden. The picnickers can also enjoy shikara rides from here. There are also many shopping hubs nearby so you can also enjoy shopping while visiting this garden. This terraced garden is located in the Srinagar district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir just about eleven kilometers away from the district headquarters. The Nishat Garden is well connected to the airport in the Badgam district that is just twenty-five kilometers away from the location. In this tourist spot of the Jammu and Kashmir you will also find some of the colorful flowers that are typical to this region. The lush greenery all around will certainly refresh the visitors' minds. The Nishat Garden is one of the most frequented Jammu and Kashmir popular tourist spots. Shalimar Garden Shalimar Garden is located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a wonderful tourist place. The garden was laid by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. It was dedicated to his favorite queen Nur Jehan. The Shalimar Garden in Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most well maintained parks in this locality. This picturesque garden is elegantly designed and decorated with flowerbeds and canals. There are about four shallow terraces that come one above the other. The Shalimar Garden of Kashmir gets its water supplied from Harwan through a canal. This canal is decorated with a lining of various plants and shrubs and beautiful fountains. During the spring and autumn seasons the garden is gorgeous with various colorful flowers. A large variety of fruit plants are also there in the garden. This is a wonderful picnic spot. This place is most frequented during the summer months. Dal Lake Crystal clear water, exotic landscape and serene surrounding represents the beautiful Dal lake of Jammu and Kashmir. An added attraction of the beautiful city of Srinagar, Dal lake may truly be said to be the crowning glory of Jammu and Kashmir. A prominent itinerary in the Jammu and Kashmir tourism, Dal Lake presents one with a wonderful opportunity to explore nature. Far from the maddening crowd of the cities, the calm and serene surrounding of Dal Lake fills the tourists with an intense sense of pleasure and satisfaction. The beautifully decorated house boats, popularly known as the Shikaras take the tourists on a long trip on the enchanting Dal Lake. Surrounded by attractive gardens, Dal lake of Srinagar is a delight for the tourists. The white snow capped mountains coupled with the pleasant weather makes Dal Lake one of the most sought after tourist destination of the beautiful city of Srinagar. One can choose from a wide range of house boats ranging from Deluxe to Luxury, from Economy to D category. Dal lake of Srinagar boasts to be one of the largest lakes of Srinagar that adds to the old glory and grandeur of the city. Endowed with natural scenic beauty, Kashmir attracts several tourists who are enthralled and enchanted with the bewitching beauty of the place. The picturesque landscape of Dal Lake captures the imagination of the poet and casts a magical spell on the visitors. The captivating beauty of Dal Lake imparts a heavenly feeling and an aesthetic appeal to the entire region. Shahi Hamdan . Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah-e-Molla is a very old Muslim shrine that is situated on the banks of river Jhelum in the city of Srinagar. It is believed that the shrine contains ‘the secret of Allah’. The wooden architecture of this shrine is based on the Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist styles. This shrine was initially built by Sultan Sikandar in 1395 in memory of Mir Syed Ali Hamdan, a Sufi saint who played an important role in the spread of Islam in Kashmir. In 1480, the shrine was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by Sultan Hassan Shah in 1493. In 1731, the shrine was damaged and rebuilt by Abul Barkat Khan in 1731. Currently, this shrine has a square plan that is supported on irregular walled base comprising of materials from ancient temples. There exists a two-tiered and two-storied monument along with slightly sloping pyramidal roofs along with double-arcaded verandahs that run around the building in the first tier. There is an arcaded balcony that extends on all four sides in the second tier. Hari Parbat Hari Parbat is located on the boundary of Srinagar city. This is an ancient and one of the most religious places in the state of Kashmir. This place is considered to be the abode of Mahashakti (the Divine Mother Jagatamba Sharika Bhagwati). This goddess is also called as Rajrajeshwari or Maha Tripursundhari. Locally, people refer to this goddess by the name ‘Hari.’ This goddess has eighteen arms and is considered to be the Isht-Devi or Presiding Deity of Srinagar. This goddess is associated with the Sayambhu Shrichakra, which is also called Mahashriyantra or Mahamaha Shrichakra. This is made up of round mystic impressions and patterns in the shape of a triangle that have a dot at the center. This supernatural Shrichakra can be seen engraved on a vertical holy rock placed at the center of the western face of Hari Parbat. From Deviangan, there is a flight of chiseled stones, 108 in number, that lead to the shrine. It is guessed that the city Srinagar has derived its name from Goddess Shrichakra. Dachigam National Park Spread over an area of 141 sq. km., Dachigam National Park is the best getaway for all animal and nature lovers. Situated just 22 km from Srinagar, the park is not only rich in flora and fauna but also turns out to be great bird watching spot. The parks have been divided into two sectors, the Lower Dachigam and the Upper Dachigam. The altitude difference between the lower and upper section is quite prominent which makes the climate drastically different. Dachigam has more than 20 species of mammals like Leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Langur, but the prize possession of this park is the Rare Kashmiri Stag called Hangul which is an endangered species of red deer. The place is also great for spotting beautiful birds of more than 150 species. Few of them are Golden Oriole, Golden Eagle, Black Bulbul, and Bearded Vulture. The park remains closed between January and April and the best time to visit this park is May to August for Upper Dachigam and September to December for Lower Dachigam. Shri is regarded as the divine companion of the Lord and is supposed to play the intermediatory role between God and human soul. Nagin Lake Nagin Lake is located just a small distance away from Dal Lake. In fact both the water bodies are interconnected by a small water channel. Just like Dal Lake, this lake also freezes in the winter. But in summer time the water is pleasantly cool. The lake is one of the best ions, which you can enjoy a captivating round of boating. Even in the middle of the lake you can experience the thrill of shopping. There are boats that are full-fledged shops on the move. You can buy eateries, exquisite handicrafts, even the famous Pashmina shawls, and if you wish, you can even make a call from the mobile phone booths. Hazratbal Hazratbal, a world-famous shrine of Muslim followers, was established as early as the 17th century. The pious Mosque of Hazratbal which stands with elan on the banks of the popular Dal Lake of Srinagar is also referred as Dargah Sharief, Dargah, Assar-e-Sharief and Madinat-us-Sani. In 1623, Sadiq Khan who was the then subedar of the great Mughal King, Shahjehan, built a palatial edifice on the spot where Hazratbal was stands. However, in the year 1634 Shahjehan instructed his men to transform the edifice into a holy shrine of Muslims. In the year of 1699, the sacred hair of the devout Islamic Prophet Mohammad was brought to the valley and initially it was preserved in the Naqashbad Sahib. As the followers started gathering in the site in large numbers to view the Moi-e-Muqqadus or the pious hair, it was transferred to Hazratbal immediately. Previously known as Sadiqabad, Hazratbal today is a major pilgrimage center of Jammu & Kashmir where not only followers of Islam faith but also people belonging to all other religions come to gather the blessings of Prophet Mohammad. The current architecture of Hazratbal which consists of marble construction was carried out by the Muslim Auqaf Trust from the year 1968 to 1979. Moi-e-Muqqadus being the center of attraction in Hazratbal, the entire Mosque structure depicts the holy bliss of Mohammad. Local people flock to the site time and again. Also, tourists from all over the world who come to Jammu & Kashmir make it sure that they visit Hazratbal at least once. Hazratbal can be reached through NH1A which links Kashmir with other parts of India. Also the nearest railway station to Hazratbal lies at a distance of 300 km in Jammu. Whereas the Badgam district which is 25 km away from Hazratbal houses the closest air terminal. Upholding the religious sanctity of the life of Prophet Mohammad Hazratbal inevitably comes in the itinerary of Jammu & Kashmir pilgrim tourism. Shankaracharya Temple Shankaracharya stands tall on the holy contours of Kashmir. Being one of the most sought-after pilgrimages of the state of Jammu & Kashmir Shankaracharya is associated with a pious heritage which attracts large number of tourists as well as devotees o its premises every year. The religious archives of Jammu & Kashmir states that the temple of Shankaracharya came into being in one of the earliest periods of history. It is believed that from 2629 to 2564 BC Shankaracharya was erected by the then Emperor Sandiman. The Shankaracharya temple can be seen set on the top of a hill which is around 110 feet high above the ground level. The hilltop is called by the name of Takht-e-Suleiman. Devoted to the Hindu religion, Shankaracharya temple boasts of a magnificent architectural splendor. The ancient ruler of Jammu & Kashmir who took the responsibility of building this extraordinary temple is still remembered for its excellent constriction skills. Shankaracharya of Jammu & Kashmir is quite popular not only in India but also in the entire world. This is due to the reason because the temple of Shankaracharya symbolizes the very core of rituals that form the base of Hindu faith. Be it the chanting of slokas or be it the offering of prayers to the presiding deity, Shankaracharya represents the traditional beliefs and customs of Hinduism. Ever since the Hindu religion came into existence in India a wide array of customs and practices followed it. Combining all these ritualistic customs Shankaracharya today offers a complete view of Hindu faith to those who wish to get accustomed to this oldest religion of the country. Quite naturally Shankaracharya is regarded as one of the appealing destinations of Jammu & Kashmir pilgrim tourism. Khirbhavani Khirbhavani temple of Kashmir was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Singh in the year 1912 in Srinagar. Tullamula is the place where the temple of Khirbhavani is located. Dedicated to Goddess Ragnya, the temple depicts the holy faith of Hinduism in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The temple of Khirbhavani which is also known as Khir Bhawani is enshrined with a sculpture of Devi Ragnya. The entire structure of Khir Bhawani temple reflects the excellent architectural acumen of the past people who once took the initiative to erect this holy shrine in Srinagar. The temple made up of white marble is fabulously surrounded by a water spring which is in the shape of a hexagon. Also, the Chinar trees enhance the scenic beauty of the surrounding of the Khirbhavani temple. The religious folklores of the valley speaks of the ancient ages when Lord Rama prayed the Goddess Ragnya in order to gather her blessings during his exile period. It is also believed that Rama ordered Hanumana to transfer the shrine of Goddess to the place where it now stands. Apart from regular worshiping sessions, temple of Khir Bhawani hosts a hawan in every shukla paksha ashtami when devotees from faraway places come to attend the same. Also, during the jesht ashtami which falls in the month of May to June, devout followers of Hindu faith come in huge numbers to the premises of Khir Bhawani temple to gather the blessings of Goddess Ragnya. In order to reach Khirbhavani temple in Srinagar tourists have to cover a distance of 300 km from the nearest railway station which is at Jammu, whereas those coming by air have to make a distance of only 25 km from the closest air terminal which is at Badgam district. Also, the NH1A connects the site to other places of India. Khirbhavani temple is a glorious spot in the map of Jammu & Kashmir pilgrim tourism. Jamia Masjid Jamia Masjid is located in a prominent location of Srinagar. As such reaching Jama Masjid is quite convenient Jamia Masjid which is popularly called as the Jama Masjid was established on the land of Jammu & Kashmir in around 1385 by Sultan Sikandar. Due to its brilliant Indo-Saracenic architectural magnificence, Jamia Masjid which is in Srinagar receives record number of footfalls especially on Fridays when prayer sessions are organized. Jamia Masjid is known as one of the sacred shrines of Islamic followers. Be it the holiness or the constructional elegance, Jamia Masjid is quite unparalleled in every aspect. Comprised of 370 pillars of wood, Jamia Masjid symbolizes one of the best architectural specimen which survived the ravages of time ever since it was constructed in the valley of Jammu & Kashmir. While looking into the origin and construction of Jamia Masjid, the name of Maharaja Pratap Singh comes several times as it was during his Kingdom that the maintenance and repair works of the Mosque was carried out. Pratap Singh enthusiastically encouraged the re-construction of Jamia Masjid many a time and even offered financial assistance too. Recitation of holy sermons from the Islamic scripts is a regular act in the Jamia Masjid of Jammu & Kashmir. People from all over the country and also from other nations frequently visit the Mosque of Jamia Masjid. The Muslims consider Jamia Masjid a place where all their sins are erased and blessings are showered from the Almighty. Cheshmashahi Cheshmashahi is the smallest of the three Mughal gardens of Kashmir. Meaning Royal Spring, this garden measures 108 m by 38 m and is above the Nehru Memorial Park. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan set up the Kashmir Chashma Shahi Mughal Gardens in 1632 AD. The garden is quite famous for spring of energizing digestive mineral water inside it. Chasma Shahi Garden of Kashmir, India, offers a striking view of the scenic Dal Lake and the neighboring mountains. The garden has a number of terraces, with several fountains built right through its center. Khanqah-e-Moula Khanqah-e-Moula is situated in Srinagar on the bank of the Jhelum. This shrine, which is believed to be one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir, was built in the year 1395 by Sultan Sikandar and dedicated to the Muslim saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani better known as Shah Hamadan. The saint is believed to be the main person behind the spread of Islam in Kashmir. This shrine is a two storied structure made of wood and incorporates features of Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic architecture. When you enter the shrine of Khanqah-e-Moula at Srinagar, you will find that the interiors of the building have beautiful paintings and carved woodwork. Antique chandeliers add to the beauty of the wooden structure. You will find 14 cloisters and a small shrine inside the shrine. On the doorway of the saint’s shrine on the northwest corner, you will find the date of the saint’s death is engraved. The tomb is beautifully decorated with glass and glazed tiles. At the walls of the prayer hall you will find panels with woodwork displaying the name of God in gold. At the center of the hall, there are four decorated wooden pillars supporting the ceiling. They have lotus motifs at the base and leaf patters at the top. The heavily decorated roofs are sloping and pyramidal and separate the two tiers of the shrine. In the first tier of the Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar, you will find balconies with covered two tiered passages encircling the building except the main entrance. At the second tier, however, you will find a single arcaded balcony. All the balconies have wooden grills and columns, which are also heavily decorated. The base of the spire at the second tier you will find, decorated windows and the apex is covered with gold. At some parts of the roof you will find terrace gardens adding to the beauty of the heavily decorated wooden structure. The Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar has undergone lots of additions and alterations. The shrine was completely burnt down in 1480 and was reconstructed and restored by Sultan Hassan Shah. It was again demolished in 1493 and got two stories during the reconstruction. The year 1731 saw the shrine face ruination again due to another devastating fire and then the final renovation was done by Abul Barkat Khan. The best day to visit the Khanqah-e-Moula of Srinagar is on the 6th of Zilhaj, which is the last month of the Muslim calendar. It is the death anniversary of the saint Shah Hamadan. On this day, large number of devotees comes to the annual congregation that is formed at this shrine for paying their tribute to the saint. Wular Lake Bestowed with an unmatchable natural scenic beauty, Wullar Lake draws several tourists throughout the year who are absolutely overwhelmed at the bewitching beauty of the place. One of the prominent place of tourist interest, Wullar is located at a short distance of sixty kilometers from the beautiful city of Srinagar. The largest natural fresh water lake, Wullar lake is the off-shoot of River Jhelum. Endowed with the bounty of nature, the enchanting view of Wullar lake casts a magical spell on the tourists who are enthralled with the captivating beauty of the natural lake of Jammu and Kashmir. The tiny island of Zaina Lank in the middle of the beautiful Wullar lake adds to charm of the place. The attractive island of Zaina Lank was the brain child of the mighty ruler, Zainul- Abi- Din. The origin of the beautiful lake of Wullar can be traced back to the pre-historic times and is believed to be a remnant of the Satisar lake.Far from the hustle bustle of the cities, the serene and calm surrounding of Wullar lake fills the tourists with an intense sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Easily accessible from Srinagar, Wullar lake presents the tourists to enjoy nature coupled with pleasant weather. Mansbal Lake The Mansbal Lake is situated almost 30 kilometers to the north of Srinagar. Three villages Gratbal, Jarokbal and Kondabal overlook the lake. In the months of July and August, the lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flowers that bloom on the margins of the lake are so beautiful and abundant that Mansbal is considered as the ‘supreme gem of all Kashmir lakes.’ This lake is spread over an area of 2.81 square kilometers and the maximum depth is 13 meters. To the north of the lake are the ruins of a fort that was constructed by a Mughal king in the 17th century to assist the caravans that traveled from Punjab to Srinagar. To the south of the lake, there is a hillock named Ahtung that is used for extraction of limestone. To the east of the lake, there is mountainous region and to the north there is ‘karewa’ an elevated plateau that consists of deposits of loessic, fluviatile and lacustrine. How to reach The city with beautiful gardens, placid lakes and the breathtaking Himalayas, Srinagar is a land of exquisite beauty. Srinagar offers the opportunity for enjoying the nature or engaging in adventures. By Air: Srinagar has an airport of its own. The domestic airport is serviced regularly by several private and public airlines, which connect the city to important cities in India, like: Delhi, Mumbai and so on. By Road: An extensive network of road covers Srinagar and connects it to important cities in Jammu and Kashmir and North India, namely: Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (290 km), Leh (434 km), Gulmarg (48 km), Sonamarg (88 km) and Pahalgam (96 km). By Rail: The nearest Railhead is in Jammu. Major Indian cities like: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai are linked to Jammu by rail.