Srinagar 

Srinagar Also called as the “Venice of the East” is a city that indulges you in Romance & Natural beauty.Situated in the Picturesque Kashmir Valley, the Summer Capital of Jammu and Kashmir is also one of the most Charming Places in terms of Natural beauty. The city is a source for the tourist to experience at first hand, the eccentric beauty of the valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British throughout its history. Lakes, Gardens &The Mighty Snow-clad Himalaya, the best of Flora & Fauna found in India serve as a Major Tourist Attraction in addition to the stunning monuments & Shrines located here.

Its waterways with their own quaint lifestyle, the unique Houseboat, the blossoming gardens, water sports activities, shopping for lovingly hand-crafted souvenirs and the nearby resorts make it a cherished spot among those looking for a memorable holiday.

The antiquated lifestyle, unique houseboats and thriving gardens will leave you with cherished memories of your holidays. This city with tremendous history has so much to offer to people with a love of art. Shopping at Srinagar will leaves its shoppers spoilt for choice from beautiful wooden handicraft, paper-mache products, carpets to the popular pashmina shawls.

Attractions ::

 

Dal Lake ::

Set with the backdrop of hazy peaks of the PirPanjal Mountains on three side with quaint houseboats reflecting its balconies on the mirror flat stretch the Dal Lake is a landscape photographing   itself. Take a shikara ride, relax for the next few hours or experience the lake’s every moment by staying at a houseboat. Your visit would be left meaningless without a visit to this splendid lake.

Nagin Lake ::

For absolute peace, make your way to Nagin Lake. Enfolded with flower beds and orchards of Chinar the lake is popularly known as the ‘Jewel in the Ring’ .This perched lake is less crowded, water sports & sailing on fiberglass boats can also be relished here.

Shankaracharya Temple ::

Dedicated to lord Shiva the Shankaracharya Temple is located on top of the grand Takht e Suleiman or the ‘Seat of Suleiman’ which rise thousands of feet from the surrounding valley. The temple’s history dates back to the first millennium with beliefs of existence even before Christ. Considered to be the oldest extant Hindu shrine in Kashmir the temple draws numerous pilgrims.The entire Srinagar valley is visible from this temple.

Hazratbal Shrine ::

Located at the western bank of Dal Lake, the Hazratbal Mosque has significant importance to the Muslims, it houses a strand of hair of the great Prophet Muhammad giving the mosque its name. Every year at sacred dates on the urdu calendar the hair is displayed in a glass casket. It’s strikingly constructed in white marble and is the lone domed mosque in Srinagar.  The mosque facilitates a great view of the famous Dal lake and the mountains afar.

  

Chashmashahi ::

Chashmashahi  also known as ‘The Royal Spring’  is the most artistically designed Mughal garden among the three garden present in Kashmir. The garden is constructed around a fresh water spring that flows right through its center.  The spring water is believed to have medical properties, former prime minister of India, JawaharLal Nehru used to get this spring water all the way to Delhi. The garden is fabricated with Iranian influence with several terraces and fountains. The garden is also known for its flora and fauna.

Mughal Gardens ::

Mughal’s love for flora and fauna is reflected through the garden they have built throughout India and Pakistan. But the scenic lakes and mountains in Kashmir provide the Moghul gardens with its real meaning. The gardens are constructed with Islamic style of architecture terraces, wide spread flowerbeds, pools to mirror the sky, trees that offer shade merely and sweet-smelling grass are some of the key features of the gardens. Birds fill these gardens with songs, the whole experience is pleasant and mesmerizing.

Nishat garden ::

Situated on the bank of the famous Dal lake, Nishat garden or Bagh has a splendid view with the theZabarwan Mountains at the back, the sky reflecting dal lake and the PirPanjal mountains that stand afar. The garden is known for its  12 terraces that signify the twelve Zodiac signs. Surrounded by Chinar tresses and flower beds the view from the terraces is breathtaking

Shalimar Garden ::

 The largest of the three Moghul gardens in Kashmir Shalimar garden is also known as “the garden of love”. Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife NurJahan, Shalimar Bagh is a rework of the official Persian chaharbagh. A spring runs in the center of the garden dividing it in four sections. One Aspect of this Gardens inspired from the Islamic design is its “ChiniKhanas” or Arched Niches. Set Right Behind the waterfall these Arched Niches when lit with oil Lamps Reflect the Light on the water fall giving the Cascading water an enchanting effect.

The beauty of Shalimar Garden as Described by a Famous Chronicler::

“A subtle air of leisure and repose, a romantic indefinable spell, pervades the royal Shalimar: this leafy garden of dim vistas, shallow terraces, smooth sheets of falling water, and wide canals, with calm reflections broken only by the stepping stones across the streams.”

And there is no way you would disagree once you step foot on this Heaven.