|
Sightseeing in Srinagar is all about visiting its various gardens, temples, and mosques among other things.
The most prominent natural attraction of Srinagar is the Dal Lake. Spread 6 kms long and 3 kms wide, the lake is divided into four parts by causeways. The lakeside is lined with luxuriant chinars and poplars. The waters of the Dal Lake are dotted with small willow covered islands that give an ethereal ambience to the lake on misty mornings. A unique feature of the lake is the Mihrbahri people, trading in flowers, fruits, and vegetables grown on floating gardens on these islands in the lake.
The Mihrbahris sell their wares from shikharas, the elongated gondolas that are the popular with tourists for touring the lake. Dal Lake is also home for many families living in houseboats, including tourist boats complete with living quarters with all modern amenities. Visitors can stay in the well-furnished houseboats that bob on the placid waters of the lake and venture out for more active sports like kayaking, canoeing, angling and water surfing.
Next to the Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Hills in the backdrop, is the immaculately laid out Nishat Bagh (Garden) which is another interesting place to visit in Srinagar. Made in 1633 by Asaf Khan, the brother of Empress Nur Jehan (Emperor Jahangir’s favourite queen), the garden has terraced layers with water channels flowing down the centre.
The larger and more elaborate pleasure garden of the Mughals is the Shalimar Bagh, four kms away. Laid out by Emperor Jahangir for Nur Jahan, this garden is also divided into four terraces and has a water channel running down its centre. On the topmost terrace is the pavilion reserved for the royal visitors. Supported by stunning black marble pillars, the pavilion had tiny niches that were used to keep fragrant flowers in the day and light up the pavilion with lamps at night.
In addition to these two prominent pleasure gardens laid out for Empress Nur Jahan, there are several other formal gardens laid out by later rulers around Srinagar. The Chashmashahi or Royal Spring was laid by Jahangir’s son, Emperor Shah Jahan. Prepared in 1632, the Chashmashahi is famous for its natural spring whose water is said to have curative properties. Lined with flowerbeds and chinar trees, the garden has fountains right down the centre.
The Pari Mahal (Fairy Palace) is another place to see in Srinagar. It is situated at a distance of 2 kms up from the garden, and a school of philosophy and astrology established by Dara Shikoh, the elder son of Emperor Akbar. The Harwan garden 18 kms from the centre is quieter, with less decorative elements. But the vast lawns, surrounded by chinar trees and a canal fed from a nearby lake are a popular picnic spot.
The legend of creation of Kashmir recounts how Sage Kashyap drained out a huge lake to kill a fierce demon. Goddess Parvati then crushed the demon with a mountain, which is now known as Hari Parbat, or Koh-e-Maraan. Hari Parbat is another interesting place to see in Srinagar.
A 19th century fort stands on top of the hill. Behind Boulevard Road at a height of 1,100 feet on Shankaracharya Hill is the Shankaracharya Temple. This ancient hilltop shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is said to have been built by King Gopadatya in 371 BC. Over time, the temple was renovated and reconstructed by several rulers, including Lalitaditya, Zain-ul-Abidin, Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din, and finally Maharaja Gulab Singh.
The Dogra ruler added a flight of 100 stone steps leading up to the temple. The temple was electrified in 1925. Amongst the important mosques of Srinagar is the large Jamia Masjid built in 1674. The mosque has thick wooden pillars, each made from an entire deodar tree. One of the oldest mosques in Kashmir, the foundation of the building was said to have been laid as far back as 1398 by Sultan Sikandar.
To the southeast is the Rozahbal Mosque, for some esoteric and strange reason known as the ‘tomb of Jesus’. Across the River Jhelum lies the Pattar Masjid, built in 1623 for the Empress Nur Jahan. The mosque was later renamed as the Shahi Masjid.
The most important Muslim shrine in Kashmir is the Hazratbal Shrine, on the western bank of Dal Lake. The shrine is specially sanctified by the hair relic of Prophet Mohammad preserved in its precincts. Originally built as a pleasure palace in 1623 by one of Emperor Shahjahan’s officials, it was converted into a prayer hall under directions from the emperor. When the relic of the Prophet was brought to Kashmir in 1699, it was placed at Hazratbal for devotees to pay obeisance to. The present marble building was constructed under the supervision of Sheikh Abdullah in 1979. The relic is displayed on all important Muslim festivals.
Beyond Hazratbal shrine is Nazim Bagh, one of the oldest pleasure gardens laid out by Emperor Akbar. The tomb of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, one of the most revered saints in Kashmir sits 28 kms southwest of Srinagar. The saint spent his lifetime spreading religious teachings in the valley and is said to have meditated for 12 years inside a cave.
The wooden shrine of Charar-e-Sharif was built on the tomb of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani by the ruler Zain-ul-Abidin. The original structure, along with the Khanqah shrine, was unfortunately burnt down in 1995, during a long and bloody battle between foreign mercenary militants and the Indian army.
Khanqah-e-Moula is dedicated to Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. Built in the early 15th century, the shrine sits next to Jhelum River in the old city area. After being burnt down several times, alterations and repairs were done at the shrine. The death anniversary of the saint is an important day for devotees to visit the shrine.
The tomb of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin’s mother, known as Badshuhnun Dumat, is a showpiece of Shah-Miri architecture. Next to the Jhelum River near Zaina Kadal, the tomb is made of brick, unlike the other wooden structures of Kashmir.
|