City
Information
|
Area |
105 sq
kms |
|
Altitude |
1,730 m. |
|
Temperature |
Max
|
Min |
|
Summer |
29.5 C |
10.6 C
|
|
Winter |
7.3 C |
-1.9 C
|
|
Rainfall |
52.9 cms |
|
Population |
930136
(2001 Census) |
|
Best
Season |
Throughout the year, though the winter
months can be quite cold.
|
|
Clothing Spring and autumn |
Light
woollens. |
|
Summer |
Cotton/tropical |
|
Winter |
Heavy
woollens |
|
Languages |
Kashmiri,
Urdu, Hindi, Englis |
|
|
Srinagar is
located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m
above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The
Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting,
while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate
ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the
year.
|
 |
 |
|
Overview
of Dal Lake around Nehru Park |
Kalhana, the
author of 'Rajtarangini’, states that Srinagri was founded by
Emperor Ashoka (3rd Century BC). The present city of
Srinagar was founded by Pravarasena-II, and Hiuen Tsang, who visited
Kashmir in 631 AD, found it at the same site as it is today.
Laltaditya Muktapida was the most illustrious ruler of Kashmir in
the Hindu period, which ended in 1339 AD. King Zain-ul-Abidin
(1420-70 AD), popularly known as ‘Budshah’, was a great
patron of Sanskrit. Akbar captured Kashmir valley for the Mughals,
who endowed Srinagar with beautiful mosques and gardens. The Sikhs
overthrew the last Muslim ruler in the reign of Maharaja Ranjit
Singh in 1819. In 1846 the Dogras secured the sovereignty of Kashmir
from the British under the Treaty of Amrjtsar, and in 1947 the state
of Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar as its capital, became part of
the Indian Union.
Today
Srinagar is a resort for the tourist who can experience, at first
hand, the peculiar beauty of the valley that has attracted the
Chinese, the Mughals and the British to it.
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 |
|
A view of Srinagar
City - Polo view
|
|
|
 |
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Jama Masjid ,Srinagar
|
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Its waterways
with their own quaint lifestyle, the unique Houseboat, the
blossoming gardens, water sports activities, shopping for lovingly
hand-crafted souvenirs and the nearby resorts make it a cherished
spot among those looking for a memorable holiday
A Legend
Legend has it that when Pravarasena decided to build himself a new
capital, to choose the location he started walking at midnight and
was confronted by a demon on the other side of the Mahasarit River.
The demon spread his bent leg across the stream and dared the king
to cross over it to the other side. The king cut off the leg with
one stroke of his sword and calmly crossed.
The demon was delighted with the king's boldness and told him to
build the city where he would find the beginnings of a plan laid out
for him. The next morning the king found the boundary lines drawn at
the foot of Hari Parbat and built his city there. To this day the
waters of the Dal Lake are separated from the Tsont-i-Kul by a Sathu
or Bund that is shaped like a bent leg.
Houseboats
If one is longing for the delights of a houseboat holiday, then
check out lakes of Srinagar to try one. Srinagar is a unique city
because of its lakes - the Dal , Nagin and Anchar. The River Jhelum
also flows through a part of the city.
Most
houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the banks of
the lake, and can be accessed directly from land without the help of
a Shikara. While all those on the Dal require a Shikara to get to
and from them. Most houseboats on the Dal are situated in long
straggling rows; some face the boulevard, Srinagar's exciting
address, while others are situated singly or in groups of two and
three.
City Of
Lakes
Srinagar's lakes are the reason why the city receives so many
tourists. Not just expanse of water, the lakes are filled with
houseboats, villages, narrow water canals, lotus and vegetable
gardens and houses and shops.
Life on the lakes, as witnessed from the confines of a Shikara, is
unique. It is possible to book a Shikara for the whole day and
sightsee Nishat Garden, Nasim Bagh, Hazratbal Mosque, Pathar Masjid
and Shah Hamdan's Shrine, having a picnic lunch in the boat.
While Nagin is quieter, the Dal is full of local colour, with
tourists being rowed in Shikara to shops selling every conceivable
handicraft - all within the lake.
Let's Have A Ride Of The Lake!
A Shikara ride is one of the most soothing, relaxing aspects of a
holiday in Kashmir. It can be an hour-long ride to see the sights of
the Dal; a shopping by Shikara expedition to visit handicraft shops
within the periphery of the lake; or a whole day trip to visit
important city landmarks.
Because the Dal is so central to the landscape of Srinagar, many
places of tourist interest have, over the ages, been built in its
vicinity.
The Mughal Gardens
The art of designing formal gardens which the Mughal (also spelt as
Moghul) emperors expended such time and energy upon, reached its
zenith in Kashmir. The Mughal gardens in Agra or Lahore may be very
fine but only in Kashmir is the formal beauty of the gardens matched
by the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. The gardens
follow a standard pattern with a central channel carrying water
through the descending terraces in a delightful series of cascades,
falls and pools.
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Around Srinagar
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