Srinagar

Srinagar is a city that lies at the heart of the Kashmir Valley. Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, a union territory of India that was formerly a state until 2019. Srinagar is a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions coexist with modern developments, where natural beauty is marred by political turmoil, and where cultural diversity is enriched by historical legacy and offers some of the most best places to visit in Srinagar.

Srinagar: A Paradise for Tourists

Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is known for its scenic beauty, rich culture, and history. Srinagar has something for everyone, whether you are looking for adventure, romance, or relaxation.

Location and Geography

Srinagar is located at an elevation of 1585 meters above sea level, on both sides of the Jhelum River. The city is surrounded by four districts and the Ladakh union territory. The city has a temperate climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual rainfall is about 710 mm.

Srinagar is mostly mountainous, as it lies in the western Himalayas. The city has five physiographic zones: the plains, the foothills, the Pir Panjal Range, the Vale of Kashmir, and the Great Himalayas zone. The most prominent feature of Srinagar is the Dal Lake, which covers an area of 18 square km and is dotted with houseboats and shikaras (wooden boats). The lake also has several islands, such as Rupa Lank (Silver Island) and Sona Lank (Gold Island).

History and Culture

Srinagar has a long and rich history, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The city was founded by King Pravarasena II, who named it Pravarapura. The city was later ruled by various dynasties, such as the Kushans, the Huns, the Karkotas, the Utpalas, the Loharas, and the Mughals. The city also witnessed several invasions, such as by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1015 CE, Timur in 1398 CE, and Nadir Shah in 1739 CE.

Srinagar became a part of the Sikh Empire in 1819 CE, after Ranjit Singh defeated the Afghans. The city then came under the Dogra rule in 1846 CE, after the Treaty of Amritsar between the British and Gulab Singh. The city remained under the Dogra rule until 1947 CE, when India gained independence from the British. The city then became a part of Jammu and Kashmir state, which acceded to India after a tribal invasion from Pakistan.

Srinagar is a city of diverse cultures and religions. The city has a majority Muslim population, followed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians. The city has several places of worship, such as mosques, temples, gurdwaras, churches, and monasteries. Some of the famous ones are Hazratbal shrine, Jama Masjid, Shankaracharya temple, Gurudwara Chatti Patshahi Sahib, St. Joseph’s Church, and Chashma Shahi monastery.

Srinagar is also known for its performing arts and handicrafts. The city has a rich tradition of music, dance, drama, and poetry. Some of the popular forms are Sufiana Kalam (mystical music), Chakri (folk music), Rouf (folk dance), Bhand Pather (folk theatre), and Lal Ded (mystic poetry). The city also produces exquisite handicrafts such as carpets, shawls, papier-mache items, wood carving items, saffron, dry fruits etc…

How to Reach Srinagar

Srinagar is well-connected by air, road, and rail. You can choose any of these modes of transport depending on your convenience and budget.

• By Air: Srinagar has an international airport that connects it with major cities in India and abroad. You can find flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, etc. The airport is about 15 km from the city center and you can take a taxi or a bus to reach your destination.
• By Road: Srinagar is connected by national highways with Jammu (270 km), Delhi (876 km), Chandigarh (646 km), Amritsar (463 km), etc. You can find buses, taxis, or private vehicles to travel by road. The road journey is scenic and adventurous, but also prone to landslides and weather disruptions.
• By Rail: Srinagar does not have a railway station of its own, but the nearest one is in Udhampur (230 km). You can take a train from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, etc. to Udhampur and then take a bus or a taxi to Srinagar. The rail journey is comfortable and economical, but also time-consuming.

Best Time to Visit Srinagar

Srinagar is a year-round destination, as it has something to offer in every season. However, the best time to visit Srinagar depends on your preference and purpose of travel.

• Spring (March to May): This is the most beautiful time to visit Srinagar, as the weather is pleasant and the flowers are in full bloom. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 30°C and the gardens and valleys are a riot of colors. This is also the best time to enjoy the tulip festival and other cultural events.
• Summer (June to August): This is the peak tourist season in Srinagar, as the weather is mild and the lakes are calm. The temperature ranges from 15°C to 35°C and the city is buzzing with activity. This is also the best time to enjoy boating, fishing, golfing, and other outdoor activities.
• Autumn (September to November): This is another good time to visit Srinagar, as the weather is cool and the foliage is golden. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 25°C and the city is serene and romantic. This is also the best time to enjoy saffron harvesting and apple picking.
• Winter (December to February): This is the coldest time to visit Srinagar, as the weather is freezing and the snowfall is heavy. The temperature ranges from -5°C to 15°C and the city is covered in white. This is also the best time to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports.

Best places to visit in Srinagar

Dal Lake: Dal Lake is the most famous attraction of Srinagar, and the largest lake in the city. Dal Lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush greenery, and dotted with colorful houseboats and shikaras (wooden boats). You can enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lake, or stay in a houseboat for a unique experience and its one of the best places to visit in Srinagar.

You can also visit the floating market, where vendors sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, and handicrafts on their boats. Dal Lake also hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, such as Tulip Festival in April, Ganga Dussehra in June, Shikara Festival in July, and Dal Lake Festival in August.

Mughal Gardens: Mughal Gardens are a series of gardens built by the Mughal emperors in the 16th and 17th centuries. They are inspired by the Persian style of architecture and landscaping, and feature fountains, pools, pavilions, and flowers  and is best places to visit in Srinagar.

Some of the famous Mughal gardens in Srinagar are Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi, and Pari Mahal. Nishat Bagh is the largest and most beautiful garden, which has 12 terraces representing the 12 zodiac signs. Shalimar Bagh is the most famous garden, which was built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Chashme Shahi is the smallest and most elegant garden, which has a natural spring that is believed to have medicinal properties. Pari Mahal is a palace-cum-garden that was built by Dara Shikoh, the son of Shah Jahan, as a library and observatory.

Nishat Bagh: Nishat Bagh is the largest and most beautiful Mughal garden in Srinagar, which has 12 terraces representing the 12 zodiac signs. The garden was built by Asif Khan, the brother of Nur Jahan, in 1633 CE. The garden has a splendid view of Dal Lake and the Pir Panjal mountains. The garden has fountains, pools, pavilions, flowers, and cypress trees. The garden is also known as the Garden of Bliss.

Shalimar Bagh: Shalimar Bagh is the most famous Mughal Garden in Srinagar, which was built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1619 CE. The garden was later extended by Jahangir and Aurangzeb.

The garden has four terraces, each with a different theme and name. The first terrace is called Diwan-i-Aam (the public audience hall), the second terrace is called Diwan-i-Khas (the private audience hall), the third terrace is called Bagh-i-Faiz Baksh (the garden of bountiful), and the fourth terrace is called Bagh-i-Farah Baksh (the garden of delightful). The garden has fountains, waterfalls, canals, bridges, flowers, and fruit trees. The garden is also known as the Garden of Love.

Chashme Shahi: Chashme Shahi is the smallest and most elegant Mughal garden in Srinagar, which has a natural spring that is believed to have medicinal properties. The garden was built by Shah Jahan’s governor Ali Mardan Khan in 1632 CE. The garden has three terraces, each with a fountain and a pool. The garden has flowers, plants, and trees that are native to Kashmir. The garden is also known as the Royal Spring.

Pari Mahal: Pari Mahal is a palace-cum-garden that was built by Dara Shikoh, the son of Shah Jahan, as a library and observatory in 1650 CE. The palace has six terraced gardens, which are adorned with fountains and flowers. The palace also has a dome-shaped structure that was used for astronomical studies. The palace offers a panoramic view of Dal Lake and the city. The palace is also known as the Palace of Fairies.

Shankaracharya Temple: Shankaracharya Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that stands on a hill overlooking Dal Lake. It is believed to be one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The temple was renovated by various rulers over time, such as Ashoka, Jalauka, Lalitaditya Muktapida, Zain-ul-Abidin, and Maharaja Gulab Singh. The temple has a dome-shaped roof that is supported by wooden pillars. The temple also offers panoramic views of the valley and the snow-clad mountains.

Hazratbal Shrine: Hazratbal Shrine is a mosque that houses a relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is believed to be his hair. The shrine is located on the banks of Dal Lake and has a white marble dome that reflects in the water. The shrine was built by Fazl-i-Khan in 1634 CE and later expanded by Aurangzeb in 1699 CE.

The shrine is revered by Muslims as well as non-Muslims and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The shrine also hosts several festivals such as Eid Milad-un-Nabi (the birthday of Prophet Muhammad), Shab-e-Meraj (the night journey of Prophet Muhammad), and Urs (the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad).

Jamia Masjid: Jamia Masjid is one of the largest and oldest mosques in Srinagar. It was built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 CE and later expanded by his son Zain-ul-Abidin. The mosque has a courtyard that can accommodate up to 33,000 people. The mosque has four minarets and 370 wooden pillars that are carved with floral and geometric patterns. The mosque also has a fountain that is believed to have healing powers.

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a relatively new attraction in Srinagar, which was inaugurated in 2007. It is the largest tulip garden in Asia, and hosts an annual tulip festival in April. The garden has more than 50 varieties of tulips, which create a stunning display of colors and shapes. The garden also has other flowers such as daffodils, hyacinths, narcissus, etc. You can enjoy walking through this garden or taking pictures of its

Conclusion

Srinagar is a paradise for tourists who want to experience the beauty, culture, and adventure of Kashmir. It has something for everyone, whether you are looking for nature, history, or fun. Srinagar is a place that will leave you spellbound and make you want to come back again and again.