Main
Attractions: Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Mughal Gardens, The
Islands, The Bund, Sri Pratap Singh Museum, Nasim Bagh, Pari Mahal,
Hari Parbat Fort, Burzahom
 Dal
Lake
The Dal is famous not only for its beauty, but for its vibrance,
because it sustains within its periphery, a life that is unique
anywhere in the world. The houseboat and Shikara communities have
lived for centuries on the Dal, and so complete is their
infrastructure on the lake, that they never have to step on land!
Doctors, tailors, bakers- one can see them all in tiny wooden shops
on the lake, near picturesque vegetable gardens and acres of lotus
gardens.
Nagin Lake
Nagin Lake, which is usually thought of as a separate lake, is also
divided from Dal Lake only by a causeway. The causeways are mostly
suitable for walkers and bicycles only so they make a very pleasant
way of seeing the lake without having to worry about traffic or
Shikaras. The main causeway across the lake carries the water
pipeline for Srinagar's mains water supply.
Islands
There are three main islands in the lake, each poplar excursion
points. Silver Island is at the northern end of Dal Lake and is also
known as "Char Chinar" after the four-chinar trees, which grow on
it. There's a small snack bar on the island as there is also on Gold
Island at the south end of the lake. It is also known as "Char
Chinar" for it too has four Chinar trees.
The third island is Nehru Park, at the end of the main stretch of
the boulevard and only a short distance from the shore. It too has a
restaurant although it's a very run down, miserable affair. The
children's playground here has also seen better days. Often in
summer there are evening shows, dances and festivals held at Nehru
Park.
North of Nehru Island a long causeway leads out into the lake from
the boulevard just off its end is "Kotar Khana", the 'house of
pigeons', which was once a royal summer house.
The Bund
From above Zero Bridge to below Badshah Bridge one can walk along
the banks of the Jhelum River on the popular footpath known as the
bund. It's a pleasant relaxing place to stroll along and many Doonga
houseboats can be seen beside it. The GPO, the government
handicrafts emporium and a string of handicraft shops are all close
beside the Bund.
Shri Pratap Singh Museum
The Shri Pratap Singh museum is in Lal Mandi, just south of the
river between zero bridge and Amira Kadal. It has an interesting
collection of exhibits relevant to Kashmir including illustrated
tiles excavated near Harwan.
The museum is open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm except on Wednesdays
when it is closed and admission is free.
Mughal Gardens
Kashmir was a favourite of the Mughal emperors who visited it as
often as they could. Cool and refreshing after the plains of North
India where the business of governance kept them, they planted
gardens with stepped terraces and flowing watercourses. When they
rested in their gardens, they dreamt they were in paradise.
Cheshma Shahi is the first Mughal garden one will pass after Nehru
Park. Built at a height above the city, its views are as stupendous
as its layout. The smallest of Srinagar's Mughal gardens, Cheshma
Shahi has only three terraces in addition to a natural spring of
water enclosed in a stone pavilion.
The next garden along the road that encircles the Dal is the Nishat,
built by empress Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan. The largest of the
gardens, Nishat has several terraces, a central watercourse and a
majestic site between the Dal and the Zabarwan hills.
The third Mughal garden - the Shalimar - was planted by Jehangir,
the Mughal emperor, whose love for Kashmir was legendary. Shaded by
magnificent Chinar trees, the Shalimar is a series of stone
pavilions and flowing water with paint box bright flowerbeds.
Pari Mahal
The old Sufi college of Pari Mahal, the 'palace of the fairies', is
only a short distance above the Chasma Shahi gardens. One can easily
walk from the gardens up to the Pari Mahal then follow a footpath
directly down the hill to the road that runs by the Oberoi Palace
Hotel. The Pari Mahal consists of a series of arched terraces.
Recently it has been turned into a very pleasant and well-kept
garden with fine views over Dal Lake. It's attractively sited on a
spur of the Zabarwan Mountains. The gardens are beautifully kept
even today and a Son Et Lumiere show is put on here every evening
during the May to October tourist season.
Nasim Bagh
Only a short distance beyond the Hazratbal mosque, the Nasim
gardens, the 'garden of tepid airs' or 'garden of the morning
breeze', were built by the Mughal emperor Akbar after his conquest
of Kashmir in 1586. He had 1,200 Chinar trees planted in the garden,
which is the oldest of Kashmir's Mughal gardens.
 Hari
Parbat Fort
The 18th century fort tops the Sharika Hill, which is clearly
visible, rising to the west of Dal Lake. The fort was constructed by
Atta Mohammed Khan from 1776 but the surrounding wall is much older,
it was built between 1592 and 1598 during the rule of Akbar. The
wall stretches for 5-km and is 10 metres high and has two gates, the
Kathi and Sangin Darwaza.
Burzahom
In the opposite direction from the Shalimar gardens about 5-km to
the northwest, are the even older excavations of Burzahom. The
archaeological dig here has provided evidence of people living in
the vale up to 5,000 years ago. The oldest excavations have revealed
implements, pots, animal skeletons, arrowheads and tools from the
Neolithic age. Much of the material taken from this site is now in
the museum in Srinagar.
Around Srinagar
Excursions
Getting There
Religious Centres
|
