Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The city is located on both sides of the Jhelum River, which is called Vyath in Kashmir. The city is known for its indigenous habitat, nurseries, waterfronts, and houseboats.
1. Dal Lakh
Dal is a lake in Srinagar, Known as the Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir and Srinagar’s Jewel. The second biggest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most visited place in Srinagar by sightseers and local people. Dal Lake spreads across an area of around 26 square kilometers. Well known as one of the most entrancing spots to see in Srinagar.
The beauty of Dal Lake has attracted filmmakers and over 20 films have been shot in and around the famous water body. Mainstream Hindi films like Junglee, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Kashmir Ki Kali, Jaanwar, Lamhaa, Yahaan, Mission Kashmir, Dil Se, Kabhi Kabhi, Rockstar, and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani were shot or have scenes in which Dal Lake forms the backdrop. Seeing entertainer Shammi Kapoor romping on a shikhara in Kashmir Ki Kali or Shashi Kapoor regretting about bombed love in Jab Phool Khile have promoted and romanticized the Dal Lake in the well-known creative mind.
Shikaras are a social image of the lake and are seen generally in pools of Srinagar. Shikara or the wooden boat rides in the Kashmir valley are the most effective way to appreciate and ride over the quiet water of Dal Lake.
Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
2. Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden
Shalimar Bagh is a Mughal garden in Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir, India, it is the biggest of the three Mughal gardens in Srinagar (the other two being Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi). Shaping the biggest nursery of the 3 stunning Mughal Gardens, the incredibly spread-out Shalimar Bagh makes so that perhaps the most wonderful spot might be able to see in Srinagar. According to history, this stunning garden was constructed by Jahangir back in the year 1619 for his beautiful wife Noor Jahan. It is now a public park and is known as the “crown of Srinagar”.
The primary attractions of the Shalimar Bagh are the ‘Chini Khanas’. Oil lights were lit around evening time at these ‘Chini Khanas’ which made a stunning sight. In present times, be that as it may, these ‘khanas’ are enhanced with vases that are likewise outwardly great.
Another uncommon building highlight referenced is the entryways of the Baradari. In the nursery complicated, the Baradari had four wonderful entryways made of stones upheld by points of support. It is conjectured that these stone doors were ruins from old temples that were demolished by Shahjahan. the nursery likewise gave enormous watering tanks where an assortment of fountains was fixed.
Location: Chinar chowk, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir.
3. Tulip Garden
Named the biggest tulip garden in Asia, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is one of the must-visit places in Srinagar that sits in the lower regions of Zabarwan Mountain. . A seven-terraced garden is known for its 48 varieties of tulip flowers which do not just interest the grown-up individuals from the family however the children as well.
The garden, which was prior called as ‘Model Floriculture Center, was the effort of the ex-Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, to boost eco-tourism and floriculture in the valley of Kashmir.
The Tulip celebration is a yearly festival that plans to showcase the range of flowers in the garden as a part of tourism efforts by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. It opens for around three weeks, generally in March but may get delayed because of the weather. Though, this popular attraction in Srinagar is open throughout the year for visitors.
Location: PanchalDhar Range nowadays Pir Panjal Range, Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir
4. Char Chinar
Char Chinar, also sometimes called Char Chinari, Ropa Lank, or Rupa Lank, is an island in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir, it was built by Murad Baksh, the sibling of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
The Char Chinar is best investigated during a shikhara ride in the Dal Lake, surrounded by the Chinar trees on each of its four sides. The island located on the Lakut Dal (small Dal) is known as Ralph Lank (Silver Island), The tourists generally travel to this island with the help of the colorful Shikaras in Dal Lake.
Location: Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir.
5. Nishat Bagh
Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden based on the eastern side of the Dal Lake, near Srinagar in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the second biggest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley. The biggest in size is the Shalimar Bagh, which is likewise situated on the bank of the Dal Lake. ‘Nishat Bagh’ is Urdu, and that signifies “Nursery of Joy,” “Nursery of Gladness” and “Nursery of Delight.
Situated on the bank of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, Nishat Bagh is a garden with views of the lake beneath the Pir Panjal mountain range. The Bagh was planned and worked in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jahan. Like every one of the Mughal Gardens, the plan and format of the Nishant Bagh is largely influenced by Persian architecture.
It has a delightful water channel coursing through the center, which further adds to the romantic charm of the garden. One way of visiting the Bagh is through the Dal Lake using the famous “water taxi” of Kashmir, the Shikara.
Location: Boulevard Rd, Nishat, Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir.
6. Pari Mahal
Pari Mahal or Peer Mahal, also known as The Palace of Fairies, is a seven-terraced garden situated at the highest point of Zabarwan mountain range, overlooking the city of Srinagar and the south-west of Dal Lake in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an illustration of Islamic engineering and the support of craftsmanship during the rule of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
The Pari Mahal was built by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh in the mid-1600s. It filled in as a library and a home for him. Dara Shikoh was said to have lived around here in the years 1640, 1645, and 1654. It was further used as an observatory, useful for teaching astrology and astronomy.
A five-minute drive from the famous Cheshma Shahi Gardens, a gift from Shah Jahan to his eldest son, Pari Mahal is a must-see while in Srinagar.