Srinagar is a beautiful and romantic city located in the gorgeous Kashmir valley. It r 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 northern state of India called Jammu and Kashmir. River Jhelum passes through Srinagar city. Srinagar is 876 km north of Delhi.
The northern most state of the Indian mainland is rightly called "Paradise on Earth" . The sparkling rivers, placid lakes, gorgeous gardens and indescribable beauty of nature in the state of Jammu and Kashmir leave you completely speechless. Home to the unparalleled virgin landscapes of Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh, a travel and tourism experience to this joyous state is an unmatchable experience that will leave you feeling cleansed and pure.
Srinagar, a romantic Kashmiri city situated around glistening lakes and snowy tree forested mountain slopes, is a lively, vibrant, and organic canal city, with one on the most pleasant climates in all of India (The climate chart is incorrect). The summer paradise for many of the great rulers of antiquity, Srinagar lays claim to many wonderful oppurtunities for exploration and relaxation, such as hiking in the unique destinations scattered around the fabled valley, or read a lovely novel while resting in an ornate floating palace. Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley is a dream adventure for those of an open mind, and when security concerns die away, the city should become a top international destination for all.
Air : Srinagar is well connected to the major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu.
Rail : The nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, i.e. 305 km from Srinagar. However, it is well connected by road to important places like Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (298 km), Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. The main bus station is at Lal Chowk, which is the city center. Travelers can use auto-rickshaws and mini-buses to move around the city.
Bus : 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.
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.
Nishat Garden : The next garden along the road that encircles the Dal is the Nishat, built by empress Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan. The third Mughal garden - the Shalimar - was planted by Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, whose love for Kashmir was legendary.
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.
Shankaracharya Hill : Within Srinagar, on its highest hill is the Shankaracharya temple, nearly one thousand feet above the city. It is devoted to Lord Shiva. The site dates back to 2,500 BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya stayed at this site when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive "Sanatan Dharma".
Shopping in Srinagar will be exciting. There are so many things to buy in the Srinagar market. The numerous products that can be taken back home from Shopping in Srinagar are such as - handmade woolen shawls, the carpets, stone jewelry and silver products. The silver cutleries and utensils are famous in the Kashmiri market. You can shop for the woolen garments like pullover and stole. These apparels also have the embroidery of the silken threads.
Shopping in Srinagar might also comprise of the wooden hand curved swings and baby cots for the children back home. There are wooden souvenirs and mementoes in plethora at the Srinagar market. Shopping in Srinagar must include the pashmina scarves and shawls. The material of pashmina is one of the most expensive fabrics in India. The cost of these shawls varies from thousand rupees to the even twenty five thousand and more.
There are a number of restaurants and cafes in Srinagar. Most of the good ones are located in Lal chowk or on Boulevard along the banks of the Dal Lake. Most of the restaurants will serve Kashmiri, Indian, Mughlai and 'Indianized' Chinese dishes. Some pure veg restaurants are also located along Boulevard. Make sure you try dishes like Rogan-gosht (meat cooked in red gravy), Gushtaba(soft meat balls cooked in natural yoghurt), Tabakmaaz(deep fried ribs of a lamb) and Kanti(small chunks of meat cooked with a lot of onions).
Golf Srinagar is famous for its luxurious, state-of-the-art golf course known as The Royal Springs Golf Course. Spanning an expense of 300 acres near the famous Chashma Shahi, the course is thankfully open to all. Incidentally, the course has been conceptualised and executed by the world renowned golf architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr. II, who has designed about 500 courses all over the world. A strict no, given the security concerns. In fact if you happen to park your car for too long along a road, you will be ticked off by the police/military.