Srinagar Tourist Spots: The Paradise on Earth

“Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast.”
Meaning “if there is ever a heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here.”

Emperor Jahangir had opined these in-depth words, when he set his eyes on Kashmir. Now it has become the precise definition to describe how beautiful heaven can be. And who does not crave for another day in paradise?

Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir is a world famous tourist destination in India. Srinagar hill station is also called as ‘city of wealth and abundance.’ Packed with rare Kodak moments, it is a sought after honeymoon destination in India. Srinagar Tourism is famous for houseboats, lakes and gardens.

A Trip to Srinagar includes exploring the ‘Kashmiri wooden mosques, ‘historic gardens’, ‘indulgent houseboats ’and ‘ethnic cuisines.’ This unique landscape has developed its own style, favour and touch. Thus, it is rightly called as the ‘Paradise on Earth’.

Do not miss experiencing a soothing ride on the luxurious houseboat ride on the Dal Lake. Only then you would understand why it is called the ‘Jewel in the crown of Kashmir.’ Also, take a Shikhara cruise along the rivers and watch floating vegetable and flower markets. Simply irresistible!

Following are the main travel attractions of Srinagar:

Dal Lake
This enthralling lake is a popular tourist attraction in Srinagar. It rests at the foot of Shridhara Mountain. The Gondola type rowing boats on Shikhara in Dal Lake enthrals the tourists from all over the world.

If you searching for an experience which is soothing to your eyes, rendezvous with Dal Lake in Srinagar definitely tops the bucket list. Most visitors in Srinagar like to take a stay here to experience the delightful boat ride and enjoy the exotic landscape view. The lake is also unique because of the floating post office, fruits and vegetable markets that run here.

Nishat Bagh
Situated on the banks of Dal Lake, this garden is a contribution by Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan who built it in 1633. It is one of the largest Mughal Gardens built in the state. The garden comprises of some rare species of flowers, fountains and sprawling green lawns that attract many tourists.

Naseem Bagh
It is called as the ‘Garden of the Breezes.’ It is one of the oldest gardens laid out by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1586. Located on the bank of River Jhelum, it is a rich blend of human creativity and natural beauty in Srinagar. Several tourists also enjoy camping in Naseem Bagh.

Shalimar Bagh
This is largest and most famous Mughal garden of Kashmir. It was built in 1619 by Emperor Jahangir, who dedicated it to his wife Nur Jahan. It is famous for reflecting the beauty of Mughal horticulture. It is designed in Persian-style, which has been revamped time after time in the past 400 years.

Chashme Shahi
Also called as the Royal Spring, it is a small yet enchanting Mughal garden laid out by Emperor Jahangir. The elegant art and architecture of this garden has Iranian influence. The spring constructed here has medicinal properties.

Pari Mahal
Signifying the ‘House of Fairies,’ it is a seven-terraced garden perched on the Zabarwan Mountain Range. It was built on the remains of a Buddhist monastery. It is located above the Chashme Shahi Gardens and it endows a breathtakingly beautiful view of Srinagar.

Shankaracharya Temple
Set atop the hills of Takht-i-Suleiman, this temple is also called as Shankaracharya Hill. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is an 11th century old temple made up of hard blocks of ancient grey stone. A flight of stairs leads to this temple.

Jama Masjid
Built by Sultan Sikandar Shah and his son Zain-ul-Abidin in the 1388, this mosque is a stunning example of Indo-Saracenic architecture in India. It is one of the oldest mosques in Srinagar and has 370 pillars, each made out of a single piece of deodar trunk.

Nagin Lake
Resting in the backdrop of the Dal Lake, this lake is regarded as the 'Jewel in the Ring of Srinagar’. It includes two lakes separated by a narrow route. Tourists can find many Shikharas floating in this lake. It is cleaner and less crowded than the Dal Lake.

Hazratbal Mosque
This is one of the holiest pilgrim destinations for Muslims in Kashmir. Overlooking an impressive view of the lake and mountains, this gorgeous white marble shrine has a special holiness related to it as it homes a sacred hair of Prophet Mohammad. It is displayed to the public on some special occasions.

Excursions from Srinagar
Travellers can explore the nearby places like Awantipora (29km) and Gulmarg (57km), Sonamarg (80km) and Pahalgam (95km).

Shopping in Srinagar
Plethora of indigenous items, often sold in traditional bazaars make shopping in Srinagar a complete different experience. One can buy carpets, pashmina shawls, and wooden items from here. Paper Mache artwork is also very popular here. The best places to shop are Polo View, Badshah Chowk and Lal Chowk.

When to Reach
The ideal time to visit is during April to October. Gurez Festival (July) that showcases the ethnic folk dance of the Gurez tribe is also a sought-after time to take the journey.

How to Reach
Air: The city has its own airport, receiving flights from Delhi and Mumbai.
Rail: The nearest railhead is in Udhampur, 60km away.  
Road: Privately-owned coaches and taxis are available from Jammu Tawi to reach the destination.

So why wait anymore? Come and visit the scintillating landscape with Srinagar Travel and have a rare chance to explore the paradise on earth with your loved ones. Nothing beats it!