Srinagar - The Lake City
Srinagar (1,530m) is the hub and heart of Kashmir. The Dal & Nagin Lakes enhance its picturesque setting. An ancient city steeped in legend and history dating back to the BC era, Srinagar today is a resort for tourists to experience the magical beauty of the valley that has attracted visitors from all over the world since time immemorial.
Dal Lake
The Dal Lake is Srinagar's most distinctive landmark. It is divided by causeways into four parts, the Nagin Lake being one of them. Not merely a lifeless body of water, the Dal is unique for the communities that have made it their home, from fishermen to houseboat owners. There are fields of lotus blossoms in parts of the lake, vegetable gardens, shops and even villages. The best way of exploring the lake and the sites on its shores is by the Shikara boat.
Srinagar's main attraction is the charm of staying in a houseboat. The experience of living on the lake in a cedar wood paneled elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel is unique and endearing.
EXCURSIONS
Gulmarg (2,650 m/56km) is one of India's premier hill resorts. Historically a favorite haunt of Emperor Jahangir, Gulmarg today is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty - it also turns into India's Premier Ski Resort in Winter. The famous shrine of Baba Rishi, a highly revered Kashmiri Sufi saint, is another attraction enroute to Gulmarg and is thronged by thousands of devotees all year round. The Gondola Cable Car offers rides to the upland meadow of Kongdori and beyond to the top of Apharwat range to a height of 14,000 ft for viewing the Himalayan peaks in Summer and for downhill Skiing in Winter.
Pahalgam (2,130 m/90km) is situated at the confluence of the Sheshnag Spring and the Lidder River. Once a humble shepherd's village, it is now Kashmir's Premier Summer Resort. Cool even during the height of Summer, the resort is surrounded by many places of interest, the best being the upland meadow of Baisaran. Hagan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for picnics and Mamal, one of the eight tiny villages of Pahalgam, has a 5th Century Shiva Temple. Chandanwari (2,895m), 16 km from Pahalgam is the starting point for the Annual Amarnath Ji Yatra held in Summer. The Amarnath Cave (3,952 m), houses and ice stalagmite in the shape of a natural Shivling, which waxes and wanes with the moon.
Sonamarg (2,730 m/84 km) lies at the head of the Sindh Valley. The drive through this valley presents a spectacular facet of the Kashmir countryside. Sonamarg is surrounded by colorful mountains and thick pine forests. There are many attractive walks, the best being a trek or pony ride to the Thajiwas Glacier. Sonamarg also serves as a base for the Amarnath Yatra from the Baltal route.
Verinag (70 km from Srinagar) is the source of Jhelum River, with a Deep Blue Water Spring and a wonderful Resort at the foothills.
Kokernag (80 km from Srinagar) is another picturesque place known for its Sweet Water Spring. Ahead of Kokernag lies the pristine Valley of Daksum a wonderful Camping Place.
Mughal Gardens
Another distinctive feature of Srinagar is the Mughal Gardens with their terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flowerbeds, overlooking the panorama of the Dal Lake and Zabarwan Hills in the backdrop. Shalimar Bagh (15 kms from main Srinagar city) the farthest of the 3 gardens, was built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Queen Nur Jehan. Nishat Bagh (11 kms from main Srinagar city) was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Queen Nur Jehan. Chashma Shahi (Royal Spring), the Spring of Refreshing Sweet Water cherished by the Mughals, is surrounded by the Botanical Garden laid out by Ali Mardan Khan. On a nearby spur of the mountain is the ancient monument of Pari Mahal, planned out by Dara Shukho as a place for star gazing, surrounded by a beautiful garden.
The Old City
A very interesting and learning sightseeing option in Srinagar is the "Old City" which has a quaint medieval charm of its own and a strong tradition of handicrafts. Travelling through its labyrinthine alleyways, one catches sight of gaily-embroidered fabric - raw material for exquisite carpets and shawls-hanging out to dry from top-floor windows of houses. The old city also conceals, within its maze, Kashmir's many ancient shrines and mosques among which Shah-e-Hamdan, Maqdoom Sahib, Pather Masjid, Jama Masjid and Pir Dastagir Sahib, Naqashband Sahib are the most prominent.
Sightseeing
Srinagar is endowed with many historic buildings and heritage sites. Hazratbal Mosque situated on the western shores of Dal Lake is the most prestigious mosque. It houses a hair of Prophet Muhammad, which is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Jama Masjid, the other prominent mosque, is a historic building of mammoth proportions, built in the Indo-Saracenic tradition around a courtyard and supported by 370 wooden pillars. Located at Nawhatta in the Old City, it was originally built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD, and later enlarged by his son, Zain-ul-Abidin. Another historic mosque of Srinagar is the Shah-e-Hamdan Mosque, the first mosque ever built in Kashmir. Shah-e-Hamdan, who came from Persia in the 13th century, was responsible for the spread of Islam in Kashmir. The mosque was first built in 1395 on the same spot for the veneration of the great saint.
The Shankaracharya Temple, another prominent landmark of Srinagar, is built on a high octagonal plinth, on the hill known as Takht-i-Sulaiman. The site dates back to 250 BC and is associated with the Hindu Philosopher Shankaracharya who visited Kashmir 10 Centuries ago.
The Mughal Fort on the hill called Hari Parbat is dominates Srinagar. It was developed to its full size in the 18th Century by Afghan Governor, Ata Mohammad Khan. The hill of Hari Parbat is considered sacred to the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike. For the Hindus it is sacred due to the presence of the temple of Sharika, a form of Goddess Durga or Shakti. On its southern side is the historic shrine of Maqdoom Sahib, a Sufi saint of Kashmir revered by people of all faiths. Further down the hill is the historic Gurudwara Chhatti Padshahi near the Kathi Darwaza gates of the fort. It is associated with the visit of the 6th Sikh Guru to Kashmir.
Outside Srinagar, Pampore (18 km), located on the National Highway, is famous for the Saffron that grows here from September to October. Further ahead is Awantipura (29 km), ruins of the ancient township founded by King Avantivarman who ruled Kashmir during the 9th century AD. This complex consists of 2 imposing temples in stone; the larger one of Siva is marked by huge stone walls while the smaller one of Vishnu is half a mile up the main complex. Near the town of Anantnag (65 km) is the medieval temple complex of Martand built by King Lalityaditya Muktapida (7-8 century AD). Its main feature is the colonnaded courtyard dedicated to Surya, the "Sun God".
Kheer Bhawani (27 km) in Tul Mul village is another of Kashmir's living Hindu heritage sites. It is a temple in the middle of a spring which symbolises the goddess Ragnya Devi, and is affectionately known as Kheer Bhawani on account of the tradition of offering 'Kheer' (Sweet Milk Rice) by throngs of devotees to the sacred spring. The spring water magically changes colour if any disaster is to occur in Kashmir. Adjacent is the Ziarat Baba Haider and few kilometers ahead is the Holy Prayag of Kashmir at the confluence of River Jhelum and River Sind.
F A C T F I L E
GETTING HERE
BY AIR
All major carriers operate regular daily flights to Srinagar from Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu. Connecting flights operate from all major cities in India. Srinagar airport is 14 kms from the city.
Flight Duration
| Delhi to Srinagar : | 75 Minutes |
| Mumbai to Srinagar : | 195 Minutes |
BY RAIL
Jammu Tawi is a major Railway Junction connected to all major towns of India. Buses and taxis to Srinagar are available from the Railway Station and Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar.
BY ROAD
National Highway (298 kms) connects Srinagar with Jammu. The famous Jawahar Tunnel falls en route. J&K SRTC operates buses between Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar. Private buses and shared taxis are readily available from Jammu.
