Jammu and Kashmir Tourism

Srinagar Tourism

Information

A Brief About Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir, the state endowed with stunning natural beauty is regarded as the ‘Heart  of Asia”. Geographically and culturally, this northern-most State f the country can be divided into three distinct regions. The hilly plains of Jammu lie in the south, the high altitude desert region of Ladakh is in the north. And in the middle, like a dazzling jewel in the crown, is the mountainous valley of Kashmir. The mountainous State is traversed by six mountain ranges – the Shivalik, the Pir Pnjal, the Great Hmalyan, the Zanskar, the Ladakh and the Karakoram. Three great rivers – Indus, Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi along with a number of tributaries flow through the State. The lofty snow-clad mountains, verdant valleys, rampaging rivers, wonderful waterfalls, lovely lakes, lush green meadows, spectacular scenic beauty, ancient  shrines, magnificent forts ana palaces and above all the beautiful people have made Jammu and Kashmir a paradise on earth and one of the most popular tourist destination since time immemorial.

SRINAGAR

Srinagar

Scenic Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu $ Kashmir state sprawls elegantly on both side of the river Jhelum. According to Kalahana, the author  of ‘Rajatarangini’, this city of lakes and garden was originally named as Srinagari and was founded by emperor Ashoka (3^rd century B.C.). The present town was established by Pravarasena II and find mention in the travelogues of Hiuen Tsang. Persian influence over the city’s art and culture was introduced by the Afghan Badshah, Zain-ul-Abidin (1420-70). But, most of the city’s formal beauty and its fine mosques are a result of the patronage provided by the Mughal rulers. Srinagar was the summer resort of the Mughals, who built gorgeous gardens with fountains, waterways, pavillions and terraces placed between groves of chinar and willow.

• Dal Lake : Delightful Dal, the largest lake o the city is indeed the icon and focal point of Srinagar. The lovely lake is divided by causeways into four parts – Gagribal, Lokutdal, Boddal and Nagin. Both Lokutdal and Boddal have an island in the centre – called as Rup Lank or Char Chinari and Sona Lank respectively.
  

• Nagin Lake at the foot of Shridhara (Zabarwan) mountain is the smallest and most beautiful part of Dal. One can also enjoy shikara rides, staying at houseboats, swimming and water skiing etc. at the Dal.

• Hazratbal Mosque : The white marble mosque on the north west shore of the Dal Lake, enshrines a holy hair (bal) of Prophet Mohammed and is regarded as one of the holiest mosque of Kashmir.

• Shalimar Bagh : The beautiful terraced garden was laid by emperor Jehangir for his beloved wife Nur Jahan. It has fine fountains in between and a canal runs through the middle of the garden which is supplied with water from Harwan. The fourth terrace of the garden is by far the best and was once reserved for the royal ladies. Panoramic view of the garden and lake can be enjoyed from here.

• Nishat Bagh or the ‘garden of bliss’ : The beautifull garden with several terraces and a central water course was built in 1633, by Asaf Khan, the brother of empress Nur  Jahan on the banks of the DAL.

• Pari Mahal : The grand palace perched atop a hill near the Cheshma Shahi garden was originally a Buddhist monastery and was later converted into a palace by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of emperor Shah Jahan. It became a royal observatory and a school of astrology was established here by Dara Shikoh.

• Jami Masjid : This important mosque of Srinagar was first built by Sikandar Butshikan in 1402 and further additions to the structure were made by his son Zain-ul-Abidin. The present structure was built by Aurangzeb and is noted for its 300 – plus wooden pillar.

Cheshma Shahi : The magnificent garden overlooking the city and lovely lake was built by Shah Jahan in 1632. It is the smallest of Srinagar’s Mughal gardens with three artistically designed terraces and a natural spring of water enclosed in a stone pavilion. The water of the spring is said to possess some curative properties.

• Shah Hamadan Mosque : It is located on the banks of river Jhelum and is one of the most beautiful and oldest mosques of Srinagar. The mosque with  pagoda-like spire commemorates Mir Sayyad Ali Hamdani, a holy sage from Iran.

• Sri Pratap Singh Museum : It is housed in a beautiful palace and exhibits archaeological artefacts, mammoth remains , paintings, old coins and notes etc.

• Hari Parbat Fort : It has a shrine of goddess Sharika, (Durga). The hill was first fortified by emperor Akbar in 1592-98 and was further developed in the 18^th century by an Afghan governor Atta Mohammed Khan. Presently the fort is in the state of ruins and the historic shrine of Shah Makhdum Sahib on the slopes of Hari Parbat hill is visited by people of all faiths.

• Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara : The sacred Sikh shrine near Kathi Darwaza, in Rainawari, commemorates the visit of sixth Sikh Guru Hargobindji.

• Shankaracharya Temple : This ancient temple on the Takht-i-Sulaiman hill is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is said to be built on the site where the Advaita philosopher saint, Adi Shankracharya  stayed during  his visit to Kashmir. Historians believe that the first edifice on this site was build by Ashoka’s son Jaluka around 200 B.C. and was later rebuilt in the century by king Gopaditya. The temple affords an aweinspiring view of the Dal Lake and the snowy peaks of the Pir Panjal range.

Srinagar Airport

AROUND SRINAGAR

Achabal (58 kms.)

Alluring Achabal near Anantnag was the pleasure retreat of Nur Jehan. Jehangir laid out a fine Mughal style garden over here for his beloved wife.

Aharbal (51 kms.)

The spectacular waterfall is formed by river Veshav, which plunges down from a height of 24.4 metres into a narrow gorge.

Charar-i-Sharif (30 kms.)

It lies on the road to Yusmarg and is famous for the ‘ziarat’ or shrine of Sheikh Noor-urd-Din, the patron saint of Kashmir. The architecture of the shrine is noteworthy.

Dachigam Ntional Park (21 kms.)

Srinagar

It covers an area of 141 sq. with altitudes varying between 1700 and 4300 metres. The most famous inhabitants of the park are hangul or the Kashmir stag, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Mrmot, lepard, species of wild goats etc. Exotic birds like crimson tragopan, the iridescent monal pheasant etc. can also be seen here.

Gulmarg (57 kms.)

Gorgeous Gulmarg, literally the ‘Meadow of Flowers’ is one of the most unique hill resorts of the world. This huge grassy, cup-shaped meadow at an altitude of 2653 metres is surrounded by fir trees and majestic snow-clad peaks. The region of Gulmarg becomes all the more beautiful as one season changes into another. Gulmarg is also famous for various outdoor sports activities like golf, horse riding, skiing, trekking etc. Golfing   at Gulmarg’s 18 – hole course is a unique experience. It is also the premier skiing resort during the winters. There is a facility of Gondola Cable Car at Kongdor, which carries you to the top of a ski run.

Kheer Bhawni Temple (27 kms.)

It is dedicated to goddess Raginia Devi (Durga) at Tula Mula village and is considered to be the most important Hindu pilgrim centre in Kashmir, after Amarnath cave. A marble temple with golden dome stands in the middle of the pool created by the spring water.

Pahalgam (96 kms.)

Picturesque Pahalgam, an idyllic resort set on the confluence of Lidder and Shesnag streamsis endowed with enormous natural beauty and scenic vistas. It is a perfect place for leisure, pleasure and relaxation and is also an important trekking base, the most famous being the holy pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath cave.

Sonamarg (84 kms.)

Sonamarg, the ‘Meadow of Gold’ nestles at an attitude of 2730 metres in the valley carved out by the waters of the mighty Indus river. The beauty of the blooming valley full of alpine flowers and towering conifers with incredible Indus meandering through it and snow clad peaks in the backdrop, leaves a lasting impression on the minds of the visitors.

Hotels in Srinagar

Srinagar Hotels

Featured Must See Attraction 

AMARNATH YATRA

Amarnath cave, the sacred abode of Lord Shiva is one of the most important Hindu pilgrim centres in the country. The holy cave perched at an altitude of 3962 metres in 2 feet long, 55 feet broad and 50 feet deep. It enshrines a unique ice Shivalingam, which is created naturally by water dripping through the limestone roof of the cave. The cave shrine can be visited from the first week of July to mid Sept. The  State government makes elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims and are well supported by volunteers. ‘Chhari Mubarak’, the symbolic e emblem of Lord Shiva, is  carried on foot by devotees  from Srinagar to the Amarnath Cave in various stages. The traditional route from Pahalgam to Amarnath via Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni is endowed with breathtaking vistas. One can also vist Amarnath from Sonamarg side. The trek to the sacred site is just 16 kms. starting from Baltal.

Amarnath Yatra 2012