Srinagar
Srinagar Introduction
Srinagar is the capital city of Jammu & Kashmir. It is situated at
an altitude of 1,730 m.In the heart of the Kashmir valley,Srinagar spreads out
on both sides of the Jhelum river. The valley's beauty has enticed visitors
from distant lands. Srinagar bears the hallmark of the Mughals. It's a city
full of intriguing alleyways and curious buildings. Srinagar offers the spectacular
sights of the lovely lakes and the houseboats on them. The dry fruits and the
traditional Kashmiri handicrafts are the other major attractions of the hill
resort. If there is a heaven on earth,it's here,it's here,it's here in Srinagar.
Attractions:
Hari Parbat Fort: To the west of Dal Lake and on top of Sharika hill is the
fort,which was built during reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Most of the present
construction dates from 18th century. It is now occupied by Army. To enter the
fort,permission from the Archaeological Department in Lal Mandi is required.
On the western slope of the hill is a Parvati temple and on the southern face
is the muslim shrine of Khwaja Makhdoom Sahib and the mosque of the scholar
Akhund Mullah Shah .
Chatti Padshahi: It is an historic sikh Gurudwara,which commemorates the
visit of Guru Hargobind to Kashmir.
Tomb of Zain-ul-Abidin: This tomb of King Zain-ul-Abidin situated between the
Zaina Kadal and Ali Kadal bridges,shows a clear Persian influence in it's domed
construction and glazed tiles.
Shankaracharya Hill: This hill was once known as Takht-i-Sulaiman,the throne
of Solomon. A temple is a said to have first built here by Ashoka's son around
200 BC,but the present Hindu temple dates from Jehangir's time. From the top,one
can have a fine view of Dal Lake. The Srinagar TV tower is also here.
Pandrethan Temple: This small Siva temple dates from 900 AD and is in military
cantonment area on the Jammu road out of Srinagar.
Shah-i-Hamdan Mosque: The original mosque which was built in 1395,was destroyed
by a fire in 1479 and again in 1731. The present mosque is situated on one
bank of the Jhelum,shaped like a cube with a pyramidal roof rising to a spire.
Access to non-muslims and women is limited.
Pather Masjid: Situated on opposite bank of Jhelum river is the unused Pather
Masjid. It was built by Nur Jahan,wife of emperor Jahangir,in 1623.
Razabal Tomb: It is believed to be the grave of Yuz Asaf or Jesus Christ
who,according to legend,is supposed to have survived the cross and come to
Kashmir,identified as the home of the lost tribe of Israel.
Jama Masjid: This is one of the largest mosques in Kashmir. This wooden mosque
has 300 plus pillars supporting the roof and each of them made from a single
deodar trunk. It had to be rebuilt time and again due to destruction caused
by fire at different point of times
.
Shri Pratap Singh Museum: Museum situated just south of Jhelum river in Lal
Mandi has an good collection of exhibits relevant to state's Buddhist and Hindu
past as well as 200-year old textiles and carpets. It's open everyday from 10.30
am to 4 pm,except on Monday and on Friday it's open between 1 and 2.30 pm. Entry
is free. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Hazratbal Mosque: This mosque is situated on the north-west shore of Dal
Lake and enshrines a hair of the prophet. The mosque is set very beautifully
on shores of the lake with snowcapped peaks as backdrop.
Razabal Tomb: It is believed to be the grave of Yuz Asaf or Jesus Christ who,according
to legend,is supposed to have survived the cross and come to Kashmir,identified
as the home of the lost tribe of Israel.
Shri Pratap Singh Museum: Museum situated just south of Jhelum river in Lal
Mandi has an good collection of exhibits relevant to state's Buddhist and
Hindu past as well as 200-year old textiles and carpets. It's open everyday
from 10.30 am to 4 pm,except on Monday and on Friday it's open between 1 and
2.30 pm. Entry is free. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Chasma Shahi (Royal Spring): smallest of mughal gardens at Srinagar,it is
situated above the Nehru Memorial Park. The gardens were laid out in 1632
but have been recently extended. These are the only gardens with an admission
charge.
Nishat Bagh (Garden of Gladness): These gardens offers superb views of Pir
Panjal mountains. Designed in 1633 by Nur Jahan's brother,these are the largest
of Mughals Gardens. The gardens on either side of the water course are planted
with tall chinar trees,which are at its best in autumn.
Shalimar Bagh: These gardens were built for Nur Jahan by her husband,the emperor
Jahangir in 1616. These are 15 km away from
Srinagar. This garden is most secluded,reached by a tree-lined canal. The central
black marble pavilion in the "Zenana" or ladies' garden is surrounded
by water and looks out in four directions. Be;ow,in the "Diwan-i-Am",the
Hall of Public Audience,the emperor used to sit on a black marble throne above
the water. Every evening from May to October there is a Sound & Light show
which describes Jahangir's court. As the nearest taxi stand is five kms away
it's best to keep a waiting taxi.
Nasim Bagh: Situated 8 km from Srinagar,these gardens were built by Akbar
in 1586 and are the oldest of Kashmir's Mughals Gardens.
Shikara Rides: Shikaras are long boats which crowd the Srinagar lakes. They
are used for getting back and forth from the houseboats or for longer tours.
It is worth to take a pleasure ride around the lake in shikara.
Dal Lake: The lake is 6.4 km long and 4 km wide and is divided into 3 parts
by manmade causeways. Within the lake,are two islands which are popular picnic
spots. Around the edges of lake are groves of chinar,poplar and willow.
Nagin Lake: There are a number of houseboats on this quieter,cleaner lake.
Best time to visit: Between May and September.
Travel Information:
By Air: Civil airport Humhama is 15 km from the city centre. Flights connects
Srinagar with Jammu,Delhi,and Leh.
By Rail: The nearest rail head is Jammu Tawi.
By Road: Srinagar is situated on National Highway-1A,which connects to all parts
of the country. Buses of Jammu & Kashmir Road State Road Transport Corporation
(J&KSRTC) and STRCs of Punjab,Haryana,Delhi and Himachal Pradesh run to
Jammu from major northern cities like Delhi,Chandigarh and Amritsar. Some continue
to Srinagar,while there are many connections from Jammu.
Srinagar Hillstation India Reservation Form
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