SRINAGAR
DAL LAKE
The famous Dal Lake is the second-largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir. The urban lake, is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The shore line of the lake, is about 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal era gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels. The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered as an independent lake). Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.The houseboats are closely associated with Dal Lake which provide accommodation to tourists in Srinagar.
BADAMWARI GARDEN
The early bloom of flowers on Almond trees in the sprawling historic Badamwari garden in Shahr-e-Khaas has become a source of attraction for nature lovers and tourists, alike. Situated on foothills of Koh-e-Maran, the 300 kanals garden was dotted with trees, flowers and cascades providing a soothing experience to the visitors. Historians maintain there was no record to suggest who laid the garden but they say it existed even before the rule of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin in the 14th century. A well covered dome in the garden is named after an Afghan ruler, Warris Shah. The bloom on the Almond trees heralded the spring. the garden was revived and formally thrown open for public in 2008
PARI MAHAL
Pari Mahal or The Angels’ Abode is a seven terraced garden located at the top of Zabarwan mountain range over-looking city of Srinagar and south-west of Dal Lake The architecture depicts an example of Islamic architecture and patronage of art during the reign of the then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
The Pari Mahal was built by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh in the mid-1600s. It served as a library and an abode for him. Dara Shikoh was said to have lived in this area in the years 1640, 1645, and 1654. It was further used as an observatory, useful for teaching astrology and astronomy.
It is five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi Garden
BOTANICAL GARDEN
Botanical Garden was set up in 1969. Situated around the base of a hill overlooking Dal Lake. It contains many types of plants and vegetation. This garden has a collection of about 150,00 ornamental plants and a huge collection of oak varieties. It also has a rare collection of Kashmiri tropical plants.
Many people from various areas of world visit this place. It has four main divisions: the Plant Introduction Centre, the Research Section, the Recreational Garden and the Botanical Garden.
HARWAN GARDEN
Harwan Garden, situated in Harwan Village (19 km) from Srinagar is an impressive, large and admired tourist spot. A canal, beautifully bordered with Chinar trees and blossoming flower beds, starting from a lake just behind the garden, flows through the middle of the garden.
The major draw of the Harwan garden is its natural loveliness and charm. With greenery in the backdrop of snowy environment, this garden has big green grass lawns and attracts visitors virtually towards this place.
Reachable by taxis within half an hour, the garden is perfect place for picnics and excursions, also an ideal place for natures walk. It is the gateway to Dachi Gam Wildlife sanctuary.
SHALIMAR BAGH
Shalimar Bagh is a Mughal garden in Srinagar, linked through a channel to the northeast of Dal Lake, on its right bank located on the outskirts of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Its other names are Shalimar Garden, Shalimar Bagh, Farah Baksh and Faiz Baksh, and the other famous shore line garden in the vicinity is Nishat Bagh. The Bagh was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Noor Jahan, in 1619. The Bagh is considered the high point of Mughal horticulture. It is now a public park. This time it’s also called as crown of Srinagar.
NISHAT BAGH
Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden built on the eastern side of the Dal Lake, close to Srinagar in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the second largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley. The largest in size is the Shalimar Bagh, which is also located on the bank of the Dal Lake. ‘Nishat Bagh’ is Urdu, which means “Garden of Joy,” “Garden of Gladness” and “Garden of Delight.
Located on the bank of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, Nishat Bagh is a garden of bliss that commands a magnificent view of the lake beneath the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range that stands far away to the west of the valley. The Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan.
INDIRA GANDHI MEMORIAL TULIP GARDEN
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia which is set in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range in Srinagar. Formerly known as Model Floriculture Center, it overlooks the mesmerising Dal Lake. The Tulip Festival held here is the highlight which attracts tourists from the world over.
SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE
Shankaracharya temple is a beautiful Shiva temple situated at a height of 1100 feet on a picturesque location on the Gopadari Hill on the South East of Srinagar. Home to Shankaracharya when he visited Srinagar, the temple was built in 250 BC. Earlier known as the Gopadri Temple, it was renamed by King Lalitaditya as Shankaracharya Temple in the sixth century. The temple became more accessible after the Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh, constructed the stairs. It is believed to be the oldest shrine in Kashmir. The shrine offers magnificent views of the snow covered peaks of the Pir Panjal range and the valley.