Location
: 56-km From Srinagar, Kashmir,
Jammu & Kashmir
Significance: Capital Of Jammu & Kashmir
Main Attractions : Houseboats & Mughal Gardens
Best Time To Visit : In Summer - June To Early November; In Winter -
December To Februar
Srinagar
Srinagar, the crowning glory of hill stations, is the celebrated capital
city of Jammu & Kashmir. Srinagar is called the city of lakes, which has
facinated tourist's from centuries, with its beautiful picturesque Himalayan
backdrop, glittering lakes that are surrounded by houseboats and Shikaras
and the grandeur of Mughal architectural. This summer capital of the state
Jammu & Kashmir is also a business centre and a favourite oliday resort.
Arriving At Srinagar
By Flight : Numerous airlines fly to Srinagar from New
Delhi,
Chandigarh,
Amritsar, Jammu and
there are flights operating from Srinagar to
Leh and back. Flights are more
frequent during the summer Tourist Season; at that time there will probably
be several flights a day between Delhi and Srinagar. Some services are
direct, while others operate via Chandigarh, Amritsar or Jammu. Flight time
duration from Delhi on the direct flights is about an hour and ten minutes.
By Trackways : Srinagar's railhead is Jammu, which in turn
is connected to all parts of the country, including Delhi, Kolkata, Pune,
Mumbai and Kanyakumari. The distance is about 876-km from Delhi to Srinagar
although almost everybody coming up from Delhi, or other Indian cities, by
land will come through Jammu from where the buses run daily to Srinagar.
By Roadways : Srinagar is connected by an all weather road
to Jammu, which in turn is connected to many parts of North India. One can
catch buses from Delhi but people making the trip by road should take up the
route via
Chandigarh,
Amritsar or from the
Himachal Pradesh hill stations.
The Major Fascinating Sights at Srinagar
Dal Lake
: The Dal is famous not only for its beauty, but for its vibrance,
because it sustains within its periphery, a life that is unique anywhere in
the world. The houseboat and Shikara communities have lived for centuries on
the Dal, and so complete is their infrastructure on the lake, that they
never have to step on land! Doctors, tailors, bakers- one can see them all
in tiny wooden shops on the lake, near picturesque vegetable gardens and
acres of lotus gardens.
Nagin Lake : Nagin Lake, which is usually thought of as a
separate lake, is also divided from Dal Lake only by a causeway. The
causeways are mostly suitable for walkers and bicycles only so they make a
very pleasant way of seeing the lake without having to worry about traffic
or Shikaras. The main causeway across the lake carries the water pipeline
for Srinagar's mains water supply.
Mughal
Gardens : Kashmir was a favourite of the Mughal emperors who visited it
as often as they could. Cool and refreshing after the plains of North India
where the business of governance kept them, they planted gardens with
stepped terraces and flowing watercourses. Cheshma Shahi is the first Mughal
garden one will pass after Nehru Park. Built at a height above the city, its
views are as stupendous as its layout.
Hazaratbal Mosque : Across the Dal from Shalimar is the
mosque of Hazratbal, the only one of its kind architecturally in Kashmir.
Made of white marble with a dome and a minaret, Hazratbal is the repository
of a single hair of the Prophet Mohammed, exhibited to the public on certain
days of the year.
Adventure Sports in Srinagar
Canoeing & Water Skiing : Kashmir has various lakes -
Dal, Nagin, Mansbal and Wular. These are excellent spots for canoeing -
whether it is a Shikara or a racing skull. No OIIC has tried canoe-ing in
these lakes so far. These lakes are inter-connected as also the river Jhelum
which flows through the entire length of the valley and connects with all
the lakes. An interesting sport is what is locally called 'Water Trekking'.
One can have a three to four day trip along the river to various lakes in a
Shikara with all the camping gear. There are lovely spots to camp for the
night. The lakes are also famous for water skiing.
