Srinagar is a beautiful city in Kashmir valley that serves as summer capital of Indian state, Jammu and Kashmir. Nestled on the footholes of wonderful Himalayan mountains, Srinagar is quite a charming and romantic cities thanks to abundance of gardens and lakes.
The city is famous for beautiful lakes like Dal, Anchar and Nagin that has helped Srinagar earn the title of "Venice of the East". The picture perfect moment in Srinagar is relaxing in a houseboat on the Dal Lake with snow-capped mountains in the background. This experience can't be explained in words. Houseboats on Dal Lake and Mughal Gardens have become trademark of Srinagar.
Srinagar tourism was once devastated by terrorism and violence. However long gone the days when tourists were scared to travel Srinagar due to violence. Peace and harmony in the state along with improved infrastructure has rejuvenated Srinagar tourism.
Srinagar is the gateway to other tourist destinations in Kashmir valley. Places like Gulmarg, a famous ski resort is only 50km from this town. A good road and air connectivity has made Srinagar a major spot to begin Kashmir vacation. Today Srinagar is a popular summer destination. Tourists from all across of India travel to Srinagar in hope to escape heat of Indian summer. Efforts have been made to promote winter tourism in Srinagar but due to lack of necessary infrastructure all attempts have flattered so far.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Summer months are the best time to travel Srinagar. The temperature would be cool enough to escape summer heat. You would require light sweaters occasionally but overall weather remains quite pleasant in summer to travel Srinagar.
To enjoy snow one can visit Srinagar during the winter months of December and January. However beware that temperature could drop below zero degree very easily. The only road to Srinagar could be block due to snow which could strand you in the valley.
SRINAGAR ATTRACTIONS
Shalimar Bagh - The biggest of all Mughal Gardens in Kashmir valley, Shalimar Bagh is located on the northeast of Dal Lake. The garden was built by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The garden was well maintained through the Mughal era till date. During the spring, Shalimar Bagh looks quite charming thanks to beautiful flowers. Even without flowers, Shalimar Bagh is one of the most beautiful gardens in India.
Nishat Bagh - Nishat Bagh is a very beautiful garden located on the eastern side of Dal Lake. This is the second largest Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. The garden is famous for wonderful views of Dal Lake and the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range in the background. Nishat Bagh is ideal spot for romantic couples to enjoy some quiet time together. There are several beautiful fountains in the garden. The best way to reach the garden is by sailing on the houseboat locally called Shikara through the Dal Lake.
Chashm-e-Shahi Garden - The smallest of all mughal gardens in the valley. Chashm-e-Shahi Garden despite being small is very beautiful garden with plenty of waterfalls and fountains. During spring, tourists can see some very beautiful and rare flowers at the garden.
Ziarati Hazrati Youza Asouph - Also known as Roza Bal, this place is believed to be tomb of Jesus Christ. According to some beliefs, Jesus Christ survived the crucifixion in Israel and made his way to Kashmir where he lived for rest of his life. Since September 2011, this place has been closed for tourists.
Hazratbal Mosque - Hazratbal Shrine is one of the holiest mosque for Muslims. It believes to contain a relic that was brought to India by hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The mosque is built from a while marble. The mosque is located near the Dal Lake and Nishat Bagh that adds to the beauty of the mosque.
Kheer Bhawani Temple - This temple is most important religious place for the Kashmiri Pandits. Kheer Bhawani is one of the few remaining Hindu temples in Kashmir valley. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kheer Bhawani. Onsite is a sacred spring that changes it's color indicating the fortune of the people. The temple is located 14km from Srinagar in the Tula Mula village.
Hari Parbat Hill - Hari Parbat is a hill that has several tourist sites like Durrani fort built in1 1808. However Hari Parbat is notable for the temple of Sharika. The temple is dedicated to goddess Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati. Because of the Sharika Mata Temple, this hill is very sacred to the Kashmir Pandits. The hill is also famous for shrine of Sheikh Hamza Makhdum and Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi.
Shankaracharya Temple - Also known as Jyesteshwara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located at the height of 1100 feet. It was built by the Jaluka, son of Ashoka The Great in 200 BC. Apart from Hindus this site is also very sacred for Buddhists.
Pari Mahal - Also known as Quntilon, Pari Mahal is located in Srinagar overlooking the Chashma Shahi Gardens. The Mahal is famous for its architectural brilliance and wonderful views of Srinagar.
Dal Lake - Dal Lake is the most beautiful of all lakes in Srinagar. It is crown jewel of all tourist attractions in Srinagar. The beauty of the lake with snow-capped mountains in the background is truly unmatched. A visit to Srinagar is incomplete without a ride on famous houseboats or Shikara boat of Dal Lake. An ideal place for romantic couples.
Wular Lake - Wullar is the largest freshwater lake in India. The lake has turned into a tourist attraction by the Jammu and Kashmir tourism. Boating, water skiing and other water sports are big draw of this lake. Wullar lake is also ideal bird watching spot. You can spot some very beautiful species of the birds at Wular Lake.
Nagin Lake - Nagin Lake is a fine alternative of Dal Lake. It is usually less crowded than the Dal Lake. There are several houseboats to take you for a ride of this beautiful deep blue water lake. It is actually part of the Dal Lake but less deep that makes it ideal for swimming.
HOTELS IN SRINAGAR
There is no shortage of good hotels in Srinagar. Srinagar is famous for the houseboat hotels on the Dal Lake. You can find hotels of all budget in Srinagar. Some good hotels in Srinagar include Lalit Grand Palace, Gurkha Houseboats, Grand Mumtaz Hotel, Residency Hotel Srinagar, Peacock Houseboats, Silver Star Hotel etc.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - Sheikh ul Alam Airport also known as Srinagar Airport is the only international airport in the city. Due to travel advisory for Kashmir from several nations there are very limited international flights available to Srinagar. However there are plenty of domestic flights from Indian airlines like Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Air India etc that connects Srinagar to Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu etc. There is very tight security at the airport thanks to the presence of Indian Army.
By Train - The nearest railway station from Srinagar is at Jammu some 290 km away. Jammu is well connected to other Indian cities via train. From Jammu you will have to hire taxi to Srinagar. The fare is around Rs 6,000.
By Bus - There are deluxe luxury buses to Srinagar from cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Leh. The direct buses from Delhi takes 24 hours to reach Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir Transport Corporation operates buses from Jammu to Srinagar that are alternative mode of transportation for people who can't pay high taxi fare. The 12 hours bus journey will cost around Rs. 150.
By Taxi - There are taxi service for Srinagar available from Jammu. Several tourists visit Jammu for Vaishno Devi and later extend their trip to Srinagar. Since Jammu has the nearest railway station from Srinagar, tourists tend to start their trip to Kashmir from Jammu. To save money of fares, tourists opt for Sumo taxi which they have to share with other travelers. It reduces the fare to less than Rs 1000.
