Srinagar

Best time to visit Srinagar with family

Places to see in Srinagar

Dal Lake

Dal Lake remains crowded throughout the year and is popularly known for its houseboats and Shikaras. This lake covers an area of about 26 sq. km. and has a long shore line of approximately 15.5 km. It is divided intro four different sections that are connected through four causeways and can be reached easily from the city of Srinagar. It is an ideal site in the region for enjoying swimming, kayaking, houseboats, canoeing, angling, Shikara riding and water surfing.

This place is regarded as the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is the second largest lake in the state. It is popularly called as 'Srinagar's Jewel' or 'Jewel in the crown of Kashmir'. This place is also ideal for fishing along with water plant harvesting. During the winter season, the temperature at the destination reaches about -110 Celsius, which freezes the Dal Lake

Mughal Gardens

Mughal Gardens is constructed to the east of Dal Lake and is situated close to the Srinagar city. It is second in size to the Shalimar Bagh in the Kashmir Valley and is known for its terraced lawns, fountains and flowerbeds. This garden is situated near Pari Mahal, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Naseem Bagh and Chashma Shahi. The best time to enjoy the beauty of this garden and surroundings is during the spring season.

The garden covers approximately 90 acres of land and houses 1.3 million tulip bulbs that overlook the Dal Lake. It is situated in vicinity of Shalimar Garden, Nishat Garden, Chashm-e-Shahi Gardens and other Mughal Gardens

Tulip Garden

Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan Mountains, which is near the banks of Dal Lake. This garden is around 8 km from Srinagar and is known for annual Tulip Festival that continues for 7 days. It is one of the spacious gardens in Srinagar and is known to have more than 70 varieties of coloured tulip flowers.

Nishat Bagh

Nishat Bagh was constructed in 1633 by Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jahan and father of Mumtaz Mahal. It is among the largest Mughal Gardens built in the region, which has some of the rare species of flowers and artefacts. The bagh is located on the banks of Dal Lake with Zabarwan Hills on the backdrop.

It is also known for around 12 terraces, fountains, flowerbeds and huge lawns that attract travellers. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was impressed with the beauty of this garden and hoped that his father-in-law would gift this place to him. When he did not receive this place in gift, he ordered for the closure of the water supply to this garden

Shankaracharya Temple

Shankaracharya Temple is said to be constructed around 200 BC by Jaluka, who was the son of Emperor Ashoka. It is located on the top of Shankaracharya Hill, known as Takht-e-Sulaiman, which is around 1,100 ft above the main city. From the top of this hill, visitors can have a beautiful view of the snow covered mountains of Pir Panjal mountain range.

The temple is constructed on an elevated octagonal plane, which can be easily reached by steps. Tourists can also witness a modern ceiling and Persian inscriptions inside the main temple.

Shalimar Bagh

Shalimar Bagh is one of the beautiful gardens in Srinagar, which is regarded as the monument of love. It was built in 1616 by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife, Nur Jahan. This garden houses four terraces, fountains and a canal. The highest terrace at this site is known as 'Abode of Love', which was used by the emperor and royal ladies. This bagh is also called as Garden of Char Minar, Faiz Baksh and Farah Baksh.

It has been constructed as per the layout of the famous Chahar Bagh in Persia. This bagh covers an area of approximately 31 acres and is surrounded by chinar trees. It is also linked with the water of Dal Lake through a canal, measuring 1.6 km in length. Shalimar Bagh is situated at a distance of 15 km from Srinagar and around 25 km from the nearest airport in Badgam District.

It is further 300 km from the closest railhead in Jammu and is connected by road with both Jammu and Srinagar.

Chashma Shahi

At Chashmashai, is a tastefully laid garden in terraces, which commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. The cool water of the spring is highly refreshing and digestive. The original garden was laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD.

Pari Mahal Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A Buddhist monastery at one time, it was converted into a school of astrology by Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest son. Situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal, the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in front, is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. It is illuminated at night.