The state of Jammu and Kashmir is appreciated worldwide for it′s amazing natural beauty. That’s why this state is rightfully called Heaven on Earth by one and all, and Srinagar is the summer capital of this beautiful state. Srinagar is the summer capital which is situated in the center of the Kashmir valley and is surrounded by five districts.
It lies on the banks of the Jhelum River and is famous for its magnificent lakes, and gardens. A specialty of Kashmir is houseboats, which are small boathouses made of wood and beautifully lie in a series embellishing Dal Lake of Srinagar.
History
Srinagar is an extremely old city with a vast culture and long history. It dates back to the 3rd century BC and is said to have been founded by King Pravarasena II. He named this city after him Parvasenpur, which was a part of the Maurya Empire then. Srinagar was also ruled by the Kushan dynasty, the Huns, and the Mughals. The Kashmir valley also witnessed the advent of Buddhism which was first introduced by the noted emperor Ashoka, and later Vikramaditya also helped to strengthen the Buddhist culture in this region. Srinagar was made the capital in 960 CE. Various infiltrators from outside India also ruled over Kashmir. Post-independence Kashmir has also been a target of militancy for a long time and it is also been a bone of contention between Indians and Pakistanis for several decades.
Geography and Weather
Srinagar lies on both sides of the river Jhelum that passes through the city, the valley, and finally merges with the Dal Lake. The city consists of nine bridges.
Srinagar is surrounded by the Himalayas and hence it mostly has warm summers and cool winters with heavy snowfall. The snowfall disconnects Srinagar during the winter season.
Places to visit in Srinagar
Srinagar has a variety of places that are a must for any traveler. Let us see the main places that you must visit in Srinagar:
- The Mughal Gardens – The Mughals have left their distinct impact wherever they have ruled and lived and Srinagar is no exception. The Mughal Gardens consist of three gardens namely – Nishat, Chesmashahi, and Shalimar which are supposed to be the mirrors of paradise. Today these gardens are used as places for picnics and excursions. The beautifully terraced lawns with fountains, and flowerbeds, in front of the Dal, make it an extremely stunning place. These gardens epitomize the Mughal’s concept of paradise.
- Nishat Bagh – This garden is located on the banks of the Dal Lake and it is in the backdrop of the Zabarwan mountains. The snow-covered Pir Panjal adds another touch of beauty to this garden which was designed by Nur Jehan’s brother, Nishat in 1633.
- Shalimar Bagh – This garden is located in front of the famous Dal Lake and it was built by Emperor Jehangir. Cheshmashahi is another stunning garden.
- Hazratbal Mosque – This mosque is popular among people for its beauty.
- Shankaracharya Temple – This Shiva temple can be seen from the Dal Lake and is situated on top of a hill.
- Pari Mahal – If you want to see a bird’s eye view of the city, you should pay a visit to the Pari Mahal. The view is fabulous from this area.
Things to Do
Indians all over the world know very well, that Kashmir is the land of Shikaras and houseboats. After all who can forget the visual of a young and energetic Shammi Kapoor wooing a beautiful Sharmila Tagore in a Shikara in Kashmir ki Kali? No one can.
Take a Shikara Ride and if you want to enjoy the ride in a quieter area, ask the Shikara rider to take you to a lesser crowded area. The must-visits on your itinerary should be the floating village and the floating vegetable market. An agent can easily help you to visit a floating market.
Houseboats are a good option for staying or even for an occasional ride. They consist of 2-5 bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room with an upper deck.
A couple of activities that you could consider are trekking in the higher lakes of the Kashmir valley such as Vishansar Lake, Nundkol Lake, etc.
Shopping
Srinagar offers great stuff to shop for including cashmere/pashmina shawls, Kashmiri Shawls, and other woolen garments, garments with Kashmiri embroidery, dry fruits, and bakery items. Amongst dry fruits, walnut is a Kashmir specialty.
Food
Srinagar is a non-vegetarian′s heaven. You must taste Rogan-gosht and grilled mutton in Srinagar.
Lodging
There are several hotels for different types of people to stay in and enjoy their holidays in Srinagar. Also, you can book your stay in any of those palatial houseboats amid the Dal Lake to get a unique experience.
So are you planning a trip to this heavenly place called Srinagar anytime soon? It’s a place worth paying a visit to this summer. So hurry up and book your tour of this magnificent place.
