Srinagar Sightseeing

Dal Lake

Srinagar owes its heavenly beauty to this famous lake that happens to be the most extensive lake of the city and in a larger sense, the very icon of the city’s existence. Stretching over an area of 26square meters, the Dal Lake is divided by causeways into four parts- the Gagribal, the Lokutdal, the Nagin and the Boddal. Rup Lank or Charchinari and the Sona Lank are the two little islands in the middle of Boddal and Nagin respectively. Dal Lake has been the protagonist of numerous poems, paintings and songs featured on Kashmir. With the extravagantly dressed up houseboats moored along its precincts, and flowery shikaras striding with low laps along it, the Dal Lake has the potential of bewitching any traveler. It is also home to a number of water sports like canoeing, water surfing, angling, kayaking and many others. Therefore, Dal offers the tourists a chance to enjoy emotions of both the ends of the spectrum-solitude as well as adventure.

Shalimar Bagh

Srinagar is the city of love and Shalimar Bagh epitomizes love to a superlative degree. Built by Emperor Jehangir for his beloved wife Nur Jahan, this garden will definitely remind an onlooker of nothing but paradise. Apart from the lush green that garnishes every nook and corner of the garden, a canal intersects the garden in the middle, and draws its water from Harwan. The forth terrace of the garden, called the “Abode of Love”, offers the most exquisite sight. A picturesque view of the lake as well as the whole of the garden can be enjoyed from here. Perhaps, it is for this reason that this terrace was once only reserved for the royal ladies. The garden also contains a big tank around which there are almost 150 fountains that captivate the tourists with their natural beauty and charm.

Chashm-e-Shahi Gardens

If father Jahangir is remembered by the people of Srinagar for having built the beautiful Shalimar Bagh, son Shah Jahan takes the credit of laying down the foundation of Chashm-e-shahi garden. One of the smallest among the Mughal gardens, and located nearby the Nehru Memorial park in Srinagar, this beautiful nature hub was built in the year 1632. It has got three distinct aspects- an aqueduct, fountains and waterfall. The water of the spring is known amongst the natives to have some medicinal properties. Hence this garden is also famous by the name of Royal Spring.

Nishat Bagh

True to its name, which means “a garden of delight”, Nishat Bagh offers sheer tranquility and delight to a city stressed mind of a traveler. Built in 1633 by Asaf Khan, the elder brother of Empress Nur Jahan on the eastern banks of the lake Dal, Nishat Bagh is embellished with a broad cascade of terraces lined with the trees of chinar and cypress. Beginning from the edge of the Dal Lake, there are twelve terraces corresponding to the twelve zodiac signs. With its bevy of beautiful flower plants and fruit trees, Nishat Bagh ranks the second most popular gardens in Srinagar, the first being taken up by Shalimar Bagh.

Nagin Lake

Separatd by only a thin causeway from Dal, Nagin is also one of the outstanding lakes of Srinagar. Ideal for swimming because of its depth and less crowded surrounding, Nagin derives its name from the name of the trees on its banks. Like Dal, it is also a major anchor for the meandering Houseboats. Nagin also plays host to the adventure loving tourists by providing skiing facilities and fiberglass boats. Being able to conjoin the ancient with the modern, Nagin thus becomes the must see for the tourists.

Pari Mahal

A rare fusion of a palace and a garden, the Pari Mahal, has spurned around itself a strange air of mysticism and fantasy. Located very near to the Chashme Shahi, the palace was originally built by Dara Shikoh for his Sufi teacher Mullah Shah but later it was converted into a school of astrology by him. Having been equipped with colourful lighting, the Pari Mahal entices the visitors with its old world charm.

Hari Parbat Fort

The Hari Parbat fort is a Mughal fort located on the illustrious mountain of Hari Parbat on the west of Dal Lake. Atta Mohammed Khan, a Governer of Afghanistan was the founder of this fort. However, during the Mughal rule Akbar had placed a series of high walls surrounding the mountain. Today it has become a landmark among the historical monuments here. Special permission from the State Archeological Department is required to visit the fort.

Hazratbal Mosque

Located on the North West bank of the Dal Lake and just opposite to Nishat Bagh, this mosque clad in white marble emits an immaculate hue in its surrounding. The Hazratbal also takes the pride of being the sole one doomed shrine in Kashmir. The devotees can enjoy the delightful sight of the reflection of the Hazratbal on the Dal Lake against a gallery of glorious mountains. The mosque needs a special mention here. This is because it conserves the hair (bal) of Prophet Mohammed and is considered to be one of the most auspicious mosques of the entire Northern India

Jama Masjid

Though it dates back to almost fifteenth century, Jama Masjid owes its present structure to the Mughal Ruler Aurangzeb. The only domeless mosque in Srinagar, it reflects a distinct resonance of the Islamic style of architecture. The most notable aspect of Jama Masjid is the prayer hall that is fitted with as many as 370 wooden pillars, each made of an individual piece of Deodar trunk.

Shah Hamadan Mosque

Also referred to as the Khanqah of Shah Hamadan, this striking mosque is built on the grainy banks of the river Jhelum in Srinagar. Built in 1400 A.D. by Sultan Sikander, this mosque has the sole motive of popularizing the words and deeds of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, an Irani saint who sowed the seeds of Islam in Kashmir. Dul Haj, the last month in the Islamic calendar marks a remarkable congregation of devotees in this Mosque. This is because it is the death anniversary of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani. The intricately worked upon interiors along with a fine craftsmanship of the mosque makes this place a must-see for the tourists.

Pathar Masjid

Is Archeology your forte? Then Pathar Masjid is just your place to be. Built by Noor Jahan in 1623 A.D., monumental mosque is the largest in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is garnished with nine arcs in the form of horizontal structures. Adding to its historical worth is the fact that the building of the mosque was supervised by Malik Hyder Choudhary, the renowned Mughal historian who is also known for his architectural ingenuity. Despite being in dilapidated state the Mosque exudes the warmth and divinity of the Almighty.

Shankaracharya Temple

Srinagar is a place where history, culture, legend and myth all conglomerate delivering a sense of awe, mystery and wonder in every nook and corner. This becomes clear by a close inspection of the Shankaracharya Temple. While the hill top on which it is situated has been dedicated to Lord Shiva yet it is called the Takht-i-Sulaiman. According to the natives the first edifice of the temple was placed by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Asoka in 200B.C. Situated at a staggering height of 1100 feet the temple offers a breath taking view of the Dal Lake and the snowy cascade of the Pir Pinjal range. What gives the temple its personal touch of legend mixed with history is the popular belief that the Advayita philosopher Shankaracharya had made the place his abode during his stay in Kashmir to invigorate the principles of Sanatan Dharma.

Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara

This gurudwara has been built to commemorate the visit and stay of the sixth guru of the Sikhs, namely, Sikh Guru Hargobindji. It is believed that he had halted in such places during his travels through Kashmir to popularize Sikhism. Placed at Kathi Darwaza, the main entrance of Hari Parbat Fort in Rainawari, this marks the most vital Gurudwara built in the honor of the sixth Guru of the Sikhs. Thousands of disciples gather here on the birth and death anniversaries of the Sixth Guru and hence the Gurudwara has become the very face of the Sikh culture in Srinagar.