8 Best Places to Visit in Srinagar
Srinagar comes with beautiful natural charm fascinating nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, photo fanatics, God lovers, and adventure enthusiasts alike. It is dotted with countless must-visit travel destinations without which your Srinagar tour, or say your Kashmir vacation on the whole remains incomplete. Let’s see what those are-
Kashmir, the most sought-after tourist destination presents you with some of the most panoramic views, lush green meadows, floral gardens, and stunning lakes. Srinagar holds special importance for Kashmir vacationers because it is looked upon as the summer capital of this ‘Paradise on Earth’.
Srinagar is synonymous with the modern-day water world with the simmering vast expanse of the Dal Lake right at the heart of the city, the famous meandering course of the Jhelum River making its way through the city, with the pellucid Nagin Lake beautifully rimmed with shady trees.
Srinagar is an extremely old city with a vast culture and long history. It dates back to the 3rd century BC and is said to have been founded by King Pravarasena II. He named this city after him Parvasenpur, which was a part of the Maurya Empire then. Srinagar was also ruled by the Kushan dynasty, the Huns, and the Mughals. The Kashmir valley also witnessed the advent of Buddhism which was first introduced by the noted emperor Ashoka, and later Vikramaditya also helped to strengthen the Buddhist culture in this region. Srinagar was made the capital in 960 CE. Various infiltrators from outside India also ruled over Kashmir. Post-independence Kashmir has also been a target of militancy for a long time and it is also been a bone of contention between Indians and Pakistanis for several decades.
Tourists visiting Srinagar never miss the excitement of embarking on a twilight cruise by renting one of those flat wooden boats commonly called Shikaras and exploring a ‘life’ that runs simultaneously on the Dal Lake.
The Mughal Gardens of Srinagar fascinate tourists a lot. These terraced gardens, designed some 400 years ago under the initiative of Emperor Jahangir present a unique riot of colors with the various sorts of flowers that are in full blooms almost all year round.
List Of Popular Places To Visit Near Srinagar
So Srinagar has plenty to keep you busy once you are there. Here are some of the top places that you can visit during your vacation in Srinagar.
Dal Lake
Dal Lake in Srinagar is one spot that greatly attracts tourists due to its majestic, picture-perfect beauty. The lake is encircled by lofty snow-clad mountains. The floating shops on boats on the Dal Lake plus the unique Shikara ride on the Dal Lake present tourists with a truly wondrous experience. With visiting Dal Lake and taking a Shikara ride on Dal Lake your Srinagar sightseeing can never be complete.
Mughal Gardens
The Mughal Gardens of Srinagar are another popular tourist attraction. Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashm-e-Shahi are the gardens at the top of the tourist hotlist. These gardens well reflect the Mughal legacy; are designed in the royal Persian style and present the springtime floral beauty in myriad colors. Visiting the Mughal gardens of Srinagar is indeed an experience of a lifetime.
Shankaracharya Temple
This temple is an old Shiva Temple established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya atop a hill. A flight of steps takes you to the temple on the hilltop and you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire value of Srinagar plus the meandering course of the Jhelum River from the hilltop where the temple is. Thus it is a unique experience to visit the Shankaracharya Temple.
Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden
This wonderful Tulip garden stretches afar right from the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains in the vicinity of the Dal Lake banks. The colorful long-stalked Tulips in full blooms swaying from side to side present a heavenly sight indeed and would thus keep your camera reels busy all the time.
Nagin Lake
If you wish to spend some time amid total peace and tranquility, come to Nagin Lake; the ideal calm and serene getaway quite unlike the chaotic and crowded ambiance of the Dal Lake. Houseboat stays or Shikara ride on Nagin Lake is peaceful and non-chaotic. Thus if you are on the lookout for some privacy on your Kashmir Tour, book a houseboat to stay on the Nagin Lake.
Kheer Bhawani Temple
This temple lies in the vicinity of the Tui Mui Village and is considered a sacred religious spot for the Hindus. The deity housed is Ma Kheer Bhawani. The uniqueness of the temple lies in the fact that it has a pond within its complex which alters the color. To feel the spiritual enormity of the place, you must visit the temple of Kheer Bhawani when you are in Srinagar.
Badamwari Garden
This is one garden of Srinagar that’s truly outstanding in the way it’s maintained and in the way, it’s decked; i.e. with almond trees in plenty. The calm ambiance of the place makes it a perfect place to relax and unwind. The almond trees in the garden are interspersed with fragrant rose shrubs; a unique sight to behold indeed.
Nehru Botanical Garden Srinagar
This Botanical garden was founded in the year 1969 as a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first of the prime ministers of our country. This sprawling well-manicured garden covers 80 hectares and extends right from the Zabarwan Mountain foothills.
The garden landscape is beautified by nearly 300 rare species of colorful flora as well as verdant lush vegetation. Trees of Cedar and Willow are among some of the trees that you get to see in this lovely botanical garden. It is simply a perfect place to relax and soothe your eyes in an ambiance that’s green all around. So never miss the Nehru gardens during your Srinagar sightseeing.
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