Tourism In Srinagar !!!
Tourism is the most significant segment of the city's economy. The city of Srinagar is a gateway to some of the most scenic and beautiful places of the Indian subcontinent. The hill station and skiing resort Gulmarg is 50 km from the city. For decades, tourism has been contributing massively to the economy of the city, but it has been adversely affected on account of insurgent activities by certain elements.
The areas on the outskirts of Srinagar are also famous for their natural beauty. Also in this area lies the Muzaffarabad Cantonement, which is the main cantonement of the Indian Army in Srinagar District(the name of the Cantt. is often confused with Muzaffarabad city which is strategically located in Pakistan Administered Kashmir)
Srinagar is well known for its lakes. Dal Lake is known for its houseboats. Nagin Lake is another famous lake in the city.
Just outside the city are found the Shalimar Gardens created by Jahangir, the Mughal emperor, in 1619.
Houseboats were introduced accidentally to Kashmir: members of the Indian Civil Service serving in the plains who vacationed in Kashmir were not permitted to build permanent homes because of the then Maharaja's suspicion of a British presence in Srinagar. They thus chose to live in houseboats.
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The first such, named Victory, was designed by Mr MT Kenhard in 1888. There are now about five hundred on the Lake.
Srinagar has several gardens which are part of the several such gardens laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent, and which are known as Mughal gardens.
The Mughal Gardens located in Srinagar and its close vicinity include
Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal
(the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Shalimar Bagh; and the Naseem Bagh. The Tulip Gardens
have been recently opened to public by Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The gardens has rows of Tulips of different colurs and shades.
It has been called the "Venice of the East" or the "Kasmiri
Venice"
Tourist
Places
Sonamarg:-
Sonmarg or Sonamarg is a town
of Jammu and Kashmir state of India. Situated at 87 km from Srinagar,
it is a popular tourist destination. Sonamarg, at an altitude of 3,000 metres
above sea level, 87 km north-east of Srinagar. The drive to Sonamargh is though
yet another spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir, this time in Sindh Valley.
The Sindh Valley is the largest tributary of the valley of Kashmir. It is upwards
of sixty miles long, and valley and deep rock-girt gorge to open grassy meadow land
and village-dotted slopes.
Sonamarg, which means ' meadow of gold ' has, as its backdrop,
snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. the Sindh meanders along here and abounds
with trout and mahseer, snow trout can be caught in the main river.Ponies can be
hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months.
The climate of Sonamarg is very bracing; but the rainfall is frequent though not
heavy, except for two or three days at a time in July and August with fine spell
in between.
From Sonamarg, trekking routes lead to the Himalayan lakes of Vishansar (4084 msl),
Krishnasar (3810 msl) and Gangabal (3658 msl). Other lakes in the region are
Gadsar, stocked with snowtrout and Satsar, glacier-fed and surrounded
by banks of alpine flowers. A close by excursion is to Baltal, 15 km north of Sonamarg.
This little valley lies at the foot of the Zojila, only a day's journey away from
the sacred cave of Amarnath. Trekkers can also reach the starkly splendid roof-top
of the world – Leh, by crossing over the Zoji La pass. A large number of Hindi movies
have been pictured in the serene beauties of Sonamarg.
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Dal Lake:-
The world famous water body described by Sir Walter Lawerence as the "Lake par-excellence",half
a kilometers from the city, is the jewel in the crown of kashmir eulogised by the poets and abudantly praised by the travellers and tourists.The lake of late has unfortunately, consideably shrunk in size causing concern to environmentalists.The Governments have chalked out an ambitious project to save the lake from extinction.The lake is 6X3 km divided by causeways into four parts: Gagribal, Lokut Dal,Bod Dal and Nagin. Two islands, Sona Lank and Ropa Lank,within
the lake add to its beauty. Nagin is the most lovely part of the Dal Lake separted by a causeway.
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Shalimar Garden:-
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Located in Srinagar,
Shalimar Garden was laid out by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. Shalimar Garden are the magnum opus of Srinagar's many gardens and parks.This beautiful garden was originally named the
Farah Bakhsh or 'delightful garden', but today it is known as the 'garden of love'. The garden features a canal, lined with polished stones and is supplied with water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden. Shalimar Bagh has an air of solitude and quietude, and its rows of amazing fountains and shaded lined trees seem to retire towards the snow dressed mountains. A sound and light show is held here every evening between May to October in the tourist season.
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Nishat Garden:-'
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Located in Srinagar,
Nishat Bagh was built by Asaf Khan, Empress Nur Jahan's brother. Nishat is celebrated for its stately chinar (plane) trees, imported to Kashmir from Persia by the Mughals. Among these, many of the giant chinar trees have been planted by the Mughal Emperors. Nishat has 12 terraces representing the 12 signs of the zodiac, which seems to gradually descend and merge in the Dal Lake's periphery.
The terraces viewed along with the bed of flower, a mosaic of bright and beautiful colours, creates an unforgettable sight. Also found within its surroundings are some remnants of Mughal era buildings including a double storey pavilion enclosed on two sides latticed windows.
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Chashmashahi:-
Shah Jehan
laid the Chashmashahi or the Royal spring in Srinagar in 1632.
Renowned for the spring of refreshing digestive mineral water, this terraced garden has fountains in the middle and houses multiple kinds of fruits and flowers plants. The tall trees of Chinar can also be seen here. The picnic delights and long walks in the gardens, strolling hand in hand with your partner and treating all your five senses with the unforgettable pleasures are just a modest account of the place.  Chashmashahi is the smallest of the three Mughal gardens
of Kashmir. Meaning Royal Spring, this garden measures 108 m by 38 m and is above the Nehru Memorial Park. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan set up the Kashmir Chashma Shahi Mughal Gardens in 1632 AD. The garden is quite famous for spring of energizing digestive mineral water inside it. Chasma Shahi Garden of Kashmir, India, offers a striking view of the scenic Dal Lake and the neighboring mountains.
The garden has a number of terraces, with several fountains built right through its center.
Apart from the three terraces and fountains, the other attractions of Chashmashahi include an aqueduct and some waterfalls.  The water for the fountains comes from the spring. This water then goes through the floor of the pavilion and falls over to the lower terrace, over a polished black stone chute. Also, a number of fruits, flowers and chinar trees grow in the garden, adding to its appeal. Near the garden is a small shrine, the Chasma Sahibi with a fresh water spring.
The Chashmashahi garden is amongst the few others that charge an entrance fee.
Recently, a number of extensions were made to the garden.
Pari Mahel:-
Srinagar is a paradise for travelers all around the world. The picturesque sceneries, beautiful lakes and historical monuments make wonderful Sightseeing in Srinagar. Out of the many Tourist Attractions in Srinagar, Pari mahal in Srinagar calls for special mention.
 This ancient monument stands proudly revealing through its bricks, walls and surroundings the rich story of the past. Srinagar Overview tells is that Pari Mahal in Srinagar which was once the royal observatory is just five minutes drive from Cheshmashahi in Srinagar which is the smallest of all the Mughal Gardens in Srinagar.
Pari Mahal in Srinagar was at a time a Buddhist monastery with a beautifully laid out garden which was later converted to a school of astrology. It was founded by Dara Shiko the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's for his Sufi teacher, Mulla Shah.
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The beauty of Pari Mahal in Srinagar used to be at one time enhanced by the numerous springs which have dried up now. The beautiful Pari Mahal gardens are now under the possession of the state government and this heritage monument is fully maintained by them.
At night the beauty of the Pari Mahal in Srinagar is enhanced by the illuminating lights which bring out the beauty of this place. This beautiful monument is of great historical importance.
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Though it is now in ruins it speaks volumes of the magnanimous nature and taste of the Mughal princes. The rich history and culture of those times come alive when one sees through the ruins of the building.
This is one of the most important places to see in Srinagar. The people who made these monuments are no more nor are they for whom they were built…..but still today these beautiful monuments stand tall telling the new generation about their tastes, likes and culture. They have become a pathway by which the new generation connects with the ancient times.
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