Places of Interest
DAL LAKE
The fabled sweet water lake is one of the most well known tourist destinations of Kashmir. The lake is an intricate waterway divided into three parts - Gagri bal, Lokut Dal and Bod Dal, by a series of causeways. The lake is 6.4 km long and 4 km wide and is divided into 3 parts by man-made causeways. Two small islands within the lake are popular picnic spots. Sona lank (silver island) and Rupa lank (gold island) are also known as Char Chinar because they both have 4 Chinar trees on them. Tourists can enjoy Shikara (boats) rides or they can stay and experience Kashmiri hospitality aboard the numerous houseboats. Water sports like water skiing, water scooter, canoeing etc can also be done. A shikara cruise with snow capped mountains in the backdrop and through the luxuriant Mughal gardens, bring back the old splendor and show of “the Dal” in its most resplendent colors.
THE JHELUM RIVER AND ITS BRIDGES
The Jhelum River or the "Vyath" as it is called in Kashmir, is the great waterway of this mystical land into which lakes, fountains, streams and rivers drop down in a manner forming an arterial system of the valley of Kashmir. The river winds through the valley and expands and deepens into the Wular Lake. This river is famed for its nine old bridges. Along the river are some well known towns and hamlets like Baramulla, Anantnag, Sopore, Sumbal, Manasbal Lake etc. The river flow along scenic locales and offers excellent boating and fishing opportunities.
MUGHAL GARDENS
There are numerous large and small gardens or "Baghs" scattered in and around Srinagar. Some of these are -
CHASMA SHAHI (The Royal Fountains)
Close to Srinagar is the smallest of the Mughal gardens. It is near the Oberoi Hotel. This garden is attributed to Shah Jahan and is set in beautiful surroundings.
PARI MAHAL (House of the Fairies)
Located just above the Chasma Shahi lie the ruins of this astronomical observatory built by Dara Shikho, a Mughal emperor and Aurangzeb’s elder brother. Pari Mahal offers a fine view of the Dal Lake and has beautiful terraced garden, which has been renovated in the recent past.
NISHAT BAGH (The garden of spring)
These magnificent gardens designed by Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan, were laid down in 1633 and are among the largest of the Mughal gardens. They lie right on the edge of the Dal lake and have numerous terraces, beautiful lawns, beautiful flowers and fountains. According to the Persian poet Firdaus -“Agar Firdaus bar me Zaminast Haminasto haminnasto haminasto." This is what you feel when you visit this architectural world in full bloom during spring.
SHALAMAR BAGH
The most beautiful of all the Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh was built for Nur Jahan, “Light of the world”, by her husband Jehangir in 1616. The gardens are straight out of a fairy tale. The top most of the four terraces called the “Abode of Love”, was reserved for the emperor and the ladies of court. There is a huge tank, and around 150 fountains dazzle with their display. Electric lights add charm to the beautiful atmosphere.
NASIM BAGH
Built by Akbar in 1586, these are the oldest of Kashmir’s Mughal gardens. It is a beautiful camping ground which is however restricted these days. This garden offers a splendid view of the Dal lake.
HARWAN LAKE
Harwan Lake is a clean and pure water lake, set among the mountains, with its dark green waters reflecting the lofty peaks of Mahadeo. The surrounding scenery is some of the best in valley. This lake joins the reservoir of Srinagar city water works. Below the lake are the famous hatcheries where rainbow trouts are bred. It’s a delight to catch through and enjoy the scenic locales.
PAHALGAM
95 kms from Srinagar at 2130 mtrs (7200 ft), is the picturesque summer resort of Pahalgam. Situated right in the heart of Lidder valley, this resort overlooks the river Lidder. Pahalgam offers excellent opportunities for hiking, riding, fishing etc.It serves as the base camp for many expeditions and excursions such as Kolahari Glacier, Sheeshnag, Sonasar, Harwan and the Amarnath Yatra. Pristine camping grounds under the shadow of tall pines trees are delightful.
The fabled sweet water lake is one of the most well known tourist destinations of Kashmir. The lake is an intricate waterway divided into three parts - Gagri bal, Lokut Dal and Bod Dal, by a series of causeways. The lake is 6.4 km long and 4 km wide and is divided into 3 parts by man-made causeways. Two small islands within the lake are popular picnic spots. Sona lank (silver island) and Rupa lank (gold island) are also known as Char Chinar because they both have 4 Chinar trees on them. Tourists can enjoy Shikara (boats) rides or they can stay and experience Kashmiri hospitality aboard the numerous houseboats. Water sports like water skiing, water scooter, canoeing etc can also be done. A shikara cruise with snow capped mountains in the backdrop and through the luxuriant Mughal gardens, bring back the old splendor and show of “the Dal” in its most resplendent colors.
THE JHELUM RIVER AND ITS BRIDGES
The Jhelum River or the "Vyath" as it is called in Kashmir, is the great waterway of this mystical land into which lakes, fountains, streams and rivers drop down in a manner forming an arterial system of the valley of Kashmir. The river winds through the valley and expands and deepens into the Wular Lake. This river is famed for its nine old bridges. Along the river are some well known towns and hamlets like Baramulla, Anantnag, Sopore, Sumbal, Manasbal Lake etc. The river flow along scenic locales and offers excellent boating and fishing opportunities.
MUGHAL GARDENS
There are numerous large and small gardens or "Baghs" scattered in and around Srinagar. Some of these are -
CHASMA SHAHI (The Royal Fountains)
Close to Srinagar is the smallest of the Mughal gardens. It is near the Oberoi Hotel. This garden is attributed to Shah Jahan and is set in beautiful surroundings.
PARI MAHAL (House of the Fairies)
Located just above the Chasma Shahi lie the ruins of this astronomical observatory built by Dara Shikho, a Mughal emperor and Aurangzeb’s elder brother. Pari Mahal offers a fine view of the Dal Lake and has beautiful terraced garden, which has been renovated in the recent past.
NISHAT BAGH (The garden of spring)
These magnificent gardens designed by Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan, were laid down in 1633 and are among the largest of the Mughal gardens. They lie right on the edge of the Dal lake and have numerous terraces, beautiful lawns, beautiful flowers and fountains. According to the Persian poet Firdaus -“Agar Firdaus bar me Zaminast Haminasto haminnasto haminasto." This is what you feel when you visit this architectural world in full bloom during spring.
SHALAMAR BAGH
The most beautiful of all the Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh was built for Nur Jahan, “Light of the world”, by her husband Jehangir in 1616. The gardens are straight out of a fairy tale. The top most of the four terraces called the “Abode of Love”, was reserved for the emperor and the ladies of court. There is a huge tank, and around 150 fountains dazzle with their display. Electric lights add charm to the beautiful atmosphere.
NASIM BAGH
Built by Akbar in 1586, these are the oldest of Kashmir’s Mughal gardens. It is a beautiful camping ground which is however restricted these days. This garden offers a splendid view of the Dal lake.
HARWAN LAKE
Harwan Lake is a clean and pure water lake, set among the mountains, with its dark green waters reflecting the lofty peaks of Mahadeo. The surrounding scenery is some of the best in valley. This lake joins the reservoir of Srinagar city water works. Below the lake are the famous hatcheries where rainbow trouts are bred. It’s a delight to catch through and enjoy the scenic locales.
PAHALGAM
95 kms from Srinagar at 2130 mtrs (7200 ft), is the picturesque summer resort of Pahalgam. Situated right in the heart of Lidder valley, this resort overlooks the river Lidder. Pahalgam offers excellent opportunities for hiking, riding, fishing etc.It serves as the base camp for many expeditions and excursions such as Kolahari Glacier, Sheeshnag, Sonasar, Harwan and the Amarnath Yatra. Pristine camping grounds under the shadow of tall pines trees are delightful.
posted by hi at 01:19
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