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The glittering jewel Srinagar is the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is very well known for its natural beauty and the beautiful people; hence, it is often referred to as 'Heaven on Earth'. The city is located on the banks of the river Jhelum, which is a tributary of the Indus river. The city is well known for its breathtaking beauty, the lakes and the houseboats.
Srinagar in Jammu and kashmir, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The place is the nurturing ground for a wide variety of dry fruits, art and handicrafts, delicious cuisine, etc. It is well known for the floating markets, the beautiful shikaras, snow-capped peaks and the lush greenery of deodar and chinar.
At present Srinagar is one of the best and a must-visit destination for paragliding, river rafting, skiing, fishing, golfing and trekking. A visit to Srinagar is like a dip into the pool of the multi-faceted culture, craft and cuisine. A perfect place to splurge, relax and take a look at the majestic Himalayas, the placid lakes and pristine natural beauty.
01. Best Time To Visit Srinagar
The best time to visit Srinagar is between the months of March and October. In this period the weather conditions are pleasant which makes it the best time to visit the place.
PC: Partha S. Sahana
02. Getting Here
By Air: The Sheikh ul Alam Airport or the Srinagar Airport has frequent flights to almost every major city in the country, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. etc. and also to a few places abroad.
By Train: To reach Srinagar by train, one has to reach either Jammu Tawi or Udhampur Railway Station. Both the stations are well connected to major towns and cities across the country. One can hire taxis or take either private or state-run buses to reach here.
By Bus: The place has a very good network of roads and has buses operating from Delhi and other nearby major towns and cities. Delhi is at a distance of 809 km from here and Chandigarh is at a distance of 567 km.
PC: Panoramas
1. Shankaracharya Temple
Also known as Jyesteshwara Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple dates back to 200 BC although the present structure probably dates back to the 9th century AD. The temple was visited by Adi Shankara and he composed the Soundarya Lahari here. Ever since, it has been associated with him, which also gives the temple its name.
It is also believed that Jesus Christ visited Kashmir and even this temple, as some inscriptions are found on the steps leading to the main shrine which records his visit.
PC: Tauqee Zahid
2. Kheer Bhawani Temple
It is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kheer Bhawani which is constructed over a sacred spring. The temple is regarded as one of the holiest shrines here. The unique septagonal spring which is dedicated to the Goddess flows from the west to the east. The spring is known to change its colour with various hues of red, pink, orange, green, blue, white, etc.
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3. Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is located in the heart of the old city and is one of the oldest mosques of Srinagar. The mosque was built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD and was later expanded by his son Zain ul Abidin. The mosque has great religious values amongst the people of Srinagar and is one of the must-visit places in the city.
PC: Indrajit Das
4. Dal Lake
The Dal Lake without any doubt is the most famous tourist hotspot in Srinagar. The lake is home to various wooden houseboats, water lilies, lotuses, kingfishers and heron along with the floating market. The jade blue colour of the water along with the blue sky makes it picture perfect.
PC: Basharat Alam Shah
5. Shalimar Garden
The garden was built by the Mughal emperor Jahangir and is dedicated to his wife Noor Jahan. The garden is built on a flat land on a square plan with four radiating arms from a central location as the water source. The garden needed to be modified to suit the hilly terrain and the availability of a well which could be diverted from a higher elevation to the gardens.
PC: Basharat Alam Shah
Food And Accommodation
There are some government operated hotels in the city along with the private ones, apart from which there are also a few heritage properties. The best option for stay would be the houseboats or the shikaras, an experience to cherish for a life-time, must say.
Along the banks of the Dal Lake one would find various cafes and restaurants, where you can sip Kahwah, a local tea which is the local specialty. You must taste the locale cuisines apart from the Chinese and Continental delicacies.
PC: Kreativeart
