Srinagar Sightseeing

Fast Facts
State: Jammu and Kashmir
District: Srinagar
Famous for/as: Hill Station
Languages: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English
Best Season: Apr - Oct
Weather: Summer 14 to 30°C, Winter -2 to14°C
Altitude: 1585 m
Pincode: 190001
STD code: 0194

Srinagar, arguably a city that embodies romance and beauty is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir; perfectly placed in the center of the Kashmir Valley. Srinagar literally meaning 'the city of wealth & abundance' in Sanskrit, was founded around 150 AD by King Pravarasen II. Situated on the banks of the river Jhelum, Srinagar is surrounded by beautiful lakes like Dal, Nagin and Anchar, whose glittering waters reflecting the rays of the sun is a sight to behold. Its vividly vibrant & beautiful houseboats sailing along the scenic Dal Lake against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayan snow clad mountains makes Srinagar a dream destination for every traveler.

Some of Srinagar's best kept natural beauties is at the sprawling Mughal Gardens - which houses the Shalimar Bagh & Nishat Bagh. Lake side views, magnificent sunsets, floating markets, verdant greens, authentic Kashmiri cuisine & hospitable locals are just some of the reasons why tourists from all over the globe flock to this 'Paradise on Earth'.

Some of the must see places in this splendid lake side city include the well laid out Mughal Gardens, the pristine Dal Lake, enjoy a relaxing Shikara ride, bow down at the Shankaracharya temple, indulge in shopping for the famous Pashmina shawls and Kashmiri handicrafts & last but not the least,

Srinagar Attractions

Dal Lake
Popularly known as 'Srinagar's jewel' the Dal Lake, spread over a straggling 26 sq.km, is the most popular tourist attraction in Srinagar. Renowned for its house boats and Shikara boat rides, set against the slow clad glorious Himalayas, the Dal Lake continues to be on the canvas & subject of several poets & artists.

Mughal Gardens
Mughal Gardens, as the name suggests, built in the Mughal period is a marvel located around 13 km from Srinagar. These gardens are the major attractions for tourists coming to Jammu and Kashmir. These gardens are a fine example of the Mughal style of architecture & design.
The Mughal Gardens is combination of three renowned gardens namely the Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Gardens and Chashm-e-shahi. These gardens are every travelers delight with beautifully laid out manicured gardens, with vibrant flowerbeds, terraced lawns and well long stretches of cascading fountains.

Chashme Shahi Garden
Chashme Shahi Garden, founded in 1632 with a length of 108 meters and breadth of 38 meters, is a small beautiful garden, the smallest among the famous Mughal gardens. This garden, also known as Royal Spring, is located near the Nehru Memorial Park in Srinagar and is easily reachable by road

Pari Mahal
Pari Mahal(House of Fairies) also known as Quntilon, is a historic monument placed above the beautiful Chashma Shahi Gardens near Srinagar. The ancient monument brings out the architectural brilliance of the fore gone age. A well-laid spacious garden surrounds this structure, which was once a Buddhist monastery and later served as a school of astrology promoted by the eldest son of Shah Jahan, Dara Shikoh.
The garden, in the lawn of Pari Mahal with a small spring in the middle, with blooming flowers and fruits overlooks the picturesque Dal Lake. Rickshaws can be taken to reach Pari Mahal. It is a five minutes’ drive from Chashme Shahi Garden. Char Chinar is also a good place to visit.

Shalimar Bagh
Constructed by the great Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619 for his beloved wife Nurjahan, the sprawling garden with four terraces, imposing fountains, well laid out manicured gardens, tall trees & fresh mountain air is one of the must visit places while in Srinagar. Located 15 km from the city the easiest way to reach the gardens is by taking a Shikara ride from Dal Lake.

Shankaracharya Temple
Shankaracharya Temple, known to be built by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka around 200 BC, is an ancient shrine located on the Shankaracharya Hill (Takht-e-Suleiman) in Srinagar. This sacred site, situated at a height of about 1100 feet on the south-east of the city, offers splendid views of the valley and the snow clad mountains of the Pir Panjal range. Local folks tell a story that saint Shankaracharya spent some of his time at this site during his visit to Kashmir to revitalize Sanatan Dharma.
Shankaracharya Temple, constructed on an elevated octagonal plane, can be reached through a flight of steps bounded by side-walls. The inner sanctum adorns a modern ceiling & several Persian inscriptions. The temple is approachable by taxis and buses. Rozabal shrine is a nearby attraction to visit.