Srinagar is
the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is the pride of
the beautiful valley of Kashmir. Srinagar is famous for its lakes and
the charming rows of houseboats floating on them. It is also known for
traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits.
Srinagar
is located in the western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the
northern region of India. It is located in the Kashmir valley. River
Jhelum passes through Srinagar city. Srinagar is 876 km north of Delhi.
The weather in Srinagar is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and
winters are cold (November-February). It experiences heavy snowfall in
December-February.
The best time to visit Srinagar is during
summers between April and June.
The history of the Kashmir
valley has been turbulent. In the 3rd century BC, it was a part of the
great Mauryan Empire. Later on, this region flourished under the rule of
the Kushans in the 1st century AD. It was an important Buddhist center
around this time. In the 6th century, it was a part of the kingdom of
Vikramaditya, the ruler of Ujjain. Local Hindu rulers ruled it until the
14th century, after which Muslims invaded and ruled it. Srinagar was a
part of the Mughal Empire in the medieval period. However, with the
decline of the Mughal Empire and the rule of the Pathans, the fortunes
of the area gradually dwindled. In 1814, it became a part of the Sikh
empire, when Ranjit Singh defeated the Pathans. However, the British
defeated Ranjit Singh and according to the treaty of Lahore in 1846,
they installed Gulab Singh as the independent ruler of Kashmir. The
descendents of Gulab Singh ruled Kashmir under the vigilance of the
British till 1947. Hari Singh, the great grandson of Gulab Singh, merged
this princely state into India in 1948, when Pathan marauders from
Pakistan tried to overrun this state.
Tourist
Attractions in SrinagarThe valley of Kashmir, in which Srinagar
is located, is also referred to as being a heaven on earth. The Mughal
emperor Jahangir was so captivated by the beauty of this valley that he
exclaimed "Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto,
hamin asto" (If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here,
it's here). There are a number of tourist places in and around Srinagar.
The
Dal Lake is an important tourist attraction of Srinagar. It is located
on the eastern end of the city. The Dal Lake comprises of a series of
lakes, including the Nagin Lake some 8 km from the city center. One can
enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Srinagar from this
lake. Travelers can enjoy taking a ride on traditional Kashmiri boats or
the Shikaras to explore the intricate maze of waterways of this lake.
The
other major attractions of Srinagar city are the well laid out Mughal
styled gardens. The Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh are beautiful
gardens located to the far eastern side of the Dal Lake. One can take a
stroll amongst these green and attractive gardens and enjoy the
waterworks within them. The temple of Shankaracharya is another
important place to visit in Srinagar. Jaluka, the son of emperor Ashoka,
built it in the 3rd century BC.
Places Around SrinagarThere
are number of interesting places to visit near Srinagar. Most of these
places are located amongst picturesque settings of the mighty Himalayas.
Apart from natural beauty, they offer a number of adventure activities
to the traveler.
Gulmarg is 52 km southeast of Srinagar and is
located at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level. In summers, the
meadows of Gulmarg are laden with flowers. In winters, the snow-covered
slopes of Gulmarg turn into a skiing resort, which attracts the traveler
seeking adventure and thrill. It is a popular trekking destination and
boasts of the world's highest golf course.
Sonamarg is 80 km
northeast of Srinagar and is located at an altitude of 2740 m. It is set
in a valley amongst glaciers and placid lakes. The flower?laden meadows,
panoramic view of the lofty snow?covered Himalayan peaks, and a number
of trekking and hiking trails have made Sonamarg a popular tourist
destination.
Pahalgam is 95 km east of Srinagar and is located
in the quiet Liddar valley, at a height of 2130 m. It provides an ideal
setting for activities like hiking, trekking and fishing. It is also the
starting point of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath.
The
handicrafts repertoire of Kashmir is incomplete without woolen shawls
and woodcarving. Travelers can purchase richly embroidered woolen shawls
in all colors and intricate designs in Srinagar. Apart from regular
woolen shawls, one can also buy Pashmina shawls (made from the hair of
ibex) and shahtoosh shawls (made from the hair of the Tibetan antelope),
which are highly valued shawls made in Kashmir. As Kashmir is the only
state in India where walnut trees grow, craftsmen here create intricate
carvings on walnut wood to make items like tables, chairs, stools, fruit
bowls, partitions, etc., that have rich floral and trellis patterns
carved on them.
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