Surrounded by green mountains, Srinagar, Kashmir’s capital is rightly deemed as the Paradise on Earth. The enchantingly chaotic city, settled on the banks of the placid Dal Lake, has been the first destination for any visitor.
Srinagar can be picturised as an array of houseboats, romantic Mughal Gardens, historic wooden mosques and strong citadels. The final resting place of Jesus Christ has something for every visitor, whether papier-mâché, walnut boxes or the mouth watering Wazwan!
What to See
Dal Lake
Srinagar's jewel, Dal Lake sprawls over an area of 15km as a vast sheet of water full of delightful houseboats and painted shikaras.
Nigeen Lake
A beautiful detination and the oldest legacy of Kashmir; Nigeen is all about a romantic Shikhara ride amid the breathtaking views of Shankaracharya Hill and Hari Parbat.
Wular Lake
One of the 26 wetlands of India, Wular is the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. The beauty of this place is breathtaking and a heaven for photography enthusiast.
Mughal Gardens of Srinagar
A gift from the Mughal Empire, the Persian style gardens of Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal, Achabal and Verinag Garden are a real stress buster. Constructed by Emperor Jehangir, the gardens are famous for their canals, pools and fountains.
Betaab Valley
The shooting ground of Sunny Deol starrer movie Betaab, the valley is visited for its romantic climate, dancing streams, picnic spots and absolute greenery.
Hazratbal Shrine
One of the holiest Muslim shrines in Kashmir, the mosque was established by Inayat Begum and is believed to preserve the hair of the Prophet Mohammed. The Hazratbal Dargah has been featured in Bollywood movies like Fanaa and Haider.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
Nestled in the backdrop of the majestic Zabarwan Hills, is the Asia’s largest tulip garden. It is adorned by 70 varieties of tulips which adds to its magnetism.
Char Chinar
Also called Char Chinari, Ropa Lank, or Rupa Lank, is a picturesque island in Dal Lake, which is marked with the presence of majestic Chinar trees at the four corners. Ropa tank was built by Murad Baksh, brother of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The Shankracharya Temple
Constructed with ancient grey stones, the temple at 1000 feet marks the spot where Adi Shankaracharya attained enlightenment. Earlier known as Takht-i-Sulaiman, meaning Throne of Solomon, this temple was later dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Pari Mahal
A mesmerizing historical monument, above the Chashme Shahi Gardens is famous as the abode of fairies or the home of angels. It is a six terraced garden built on top of the Zabarwan Mountain Range.
Dachigam National Park
Literally meaning ten villages, the park is home to the endangered Hangul or Kashmir Stag, Himalayan Black Bear, Long-Tailed Marmots , Leopard, Common Palm Civet, Jackal, Red Fox, Yellow-throated Marten and Himalayan Weasel. It also has 145 different bird species including the Lammergeier, colourful species like Monal Pheasant and Blue Magpie.
Rozabal Shrine
Followers believe that Jesus Christ survived the crucifixion and escaped to Kashmir, where he lived till the last day of his life. Rozabal is believed to be his tomb and hence is visited by Christianity followers from all over the world.
Festivals in Srinagar
The enchanting valley of Kashmir has a number of festivals that add an extra flavour to its beauty. Every festival is celebrated with great zeal and zest alongwith fancy feasting.
Urs
The Urs or Ziarats witness participation from Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. Basically, this festival is observed on the death anniversaries of eminent saints like Bahauddin, Meesha Sahib and Batamol Sahib.
Eid ul Azha and Eid ul Fitr
Two of the most important Muslim festivals are celebrated in Kashmir with great buzz, but Kashmir's magic makes it special.
Baisakhi (April)
A prominent festival of Sikhs, the day embarks the harvesting season in India as well as Kashmir. It has a great cultural relevance to the Sikhs of Kashmir.
Tulip Festival (April)
Comes April and Srinagar plays host to the great Tulip Festival which is a sight to behold. Venue being Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden the festival features local handicrafts, luscious cuisine and cultural programs.
Shikara Festival (July or August)
A celebration of the Shikara, painted and decorated beautifully; they participate in the Shikara race, Dragon Boat race and Canoe Polo Match. Kashmir government initiated this festival in 2016 to promote tourism.
Lohri (13th January)
Lohri festival marks the end of peak winter and also the harvest of sugarcane crops. People light a bonfire, sing and dance around it and eat corn, peanuts, sesame and jaggery.
Pamper the shopaholic inside you, and try your bargaining skills in the markets of Srinagar which are bulging with Pashminas, Kashmiri Tea, Copper utensils, Carpets, Walnut wood products, Papier mache and spices. Best places to look out for are:
Best time to visit
Winter (October to March): enjoy a winter marvel as the temperature goes down to minus 10 degree Celsius. Perfect for skiing and watching a snowfall!
Summer (April - May): Time for Tulip festival and also an escape from summer heat from the rest of India. A wonderful time for honeymoon as well!
Monsoons (June to September): Srinagar does not have a typical monsoon season, hence a tour can be planned without a second thought.
How to reach
Sheikh ul Alam International Airport connects Srinagar with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Leh and Chandigarh
By Rail:
Udhampur station is nearest to Srinagar, around 60 km from the city. Travelers can also reach Jammu Tawi railway station, which is about 290 kms away from the city.
By Road
Srinagar has a lot of public and private buses and cab services that provide excellent road connectivity with Delhi, Jammu, Leh, Phalgam and Chandigarh.
