Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, located on the banks of the Jhelum River. It is known for its beautiful Mughal gardens like Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, as well as the famous Dal Lake, which features colorful houseboats. Tourism is an important industry in Srinagar, with visitors attracted by the natural scenery as well as cultural sites like the Hazratbal Shrine and Shankaracharya Temple. Other nearby places of interest mentioned include Sonmarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.

1. Srinagar
HEAVEN ON EARTH

3. Introduction
• Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of
the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies on the banks
of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is
famous for its gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is
also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried
fruits.
• It draws the city name from two Sanskrit words: śrī (a name
for the goddess Lakshmi) and nagar ("city"), which would
make "City of Lakshmi" (or, "City of Prosperity").
• However, the earliest records mention the name as siri-
nagar which in turn is a local transformation of the original
Sanskrit name sūrya-nagar, meaning "City of Sun"

4. Geography
• The city is located on both the sides of
the Jhelum River, which is called Vyath in
Kashmir. The river passes through the city and
meanders through the valley, moving onward and
deepening in the Dal Lake. The city is famous for
its nine old bridges, connecting the two parts of
the city.
• There are a number of lakes and swamps in and
around the city. These include the Dal,
the Nageen, the Anchar, Khushal Sar, Gil
Sar and Hokersar.

5. How to reach
• Air
• Srinagar Airport (IATA code SXR) has regular domestic flights to
Leh, Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi and occasional international
flights. The International flights terminal was inaugurated on 14
February 2009 with an Air India flight from Dubai. Hajj flights also
operate from this airport to Saudi Arabia.
• Rail
• Srinagar is a station on the 119 km long Kashmir railway that started
in October 2009 and connects Baramulla to
Srinagar, Anantnag and Qazigund. The railway track also connects
to Banihal across the Pir Panjal mountains through a newly
constructed 11 km long Banihal tunnel, and subsequently to the
Indian railway network after a few years. It takes approximately 9
minutes and 30 seconds for train to cross the tunnel. It is the
longest rail tunnel in India.

6. Tourism
• Tourism
• Srinagar is one of several places that have been called the
"Venice of the East" or the "Kashmiri Venice" Lakes around
the city include Dal Lake – noted for its houseboats – and
Nageen Lake. Apart from Dal lake and Nageen lake city is
also famous for wular lake and manasbal lake to the north
of srinagar. Wular lake is one of the largest fresh water
lakes in Asia.
• Srinagar has some Mughal gardens, forming a part of those
laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian
subcontinent. Those of Srinagar and its close vicinity
include Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal
(the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh(the garden of
spring); Shalimar Bagh; the Naseem Bagh.

7. DAL LAKE
• Over 15km around, Dal Lake is Srinagar's jewel, a vast,
mirror-flat sheet of water reflecting the carved wooden
balconies of the houseboats and the misty peaks of the Pir
Panjal mountains. Fully painted shikaras (gondola-like taxi
boats) skiff around the lake, transporting goods to market,
children to school and travellers from houseboat to shore.
• Most visitors to Srinagar stay out on Dal Lake in one of the
delightful houseboats left behind from the Raj, visiting
floating gardens and the floating flower and vegetable
market. It's a colourful spectacle.
• Shikaras can be hired from boat stations all along the
lakeshore and official rates are displayed on notice boards.

8. Shalimar Bagh
• Shalimar Bagh
• Shalimar Bagh is the largest of all the Mughal gardens in
Srinagar. Shalimar Bagh is around 16 km from Srinagar. It
was built in 1619 by Mughal Emperor Jahangir to please his
wife Nur Jahan. He fondly called the garden ‘Farah Baksh’
which means ‘the delightful’. The Emperor and his wife’s
fondness for Kashmir is no secret. They visited the Kashmir
valley at least 13 times. In his dying bed, Jahangir is
believed to have expressed his dying wish. He reportedly
said, ‘Kashmir, the rest is worthless.’
• The garden designed in Persian style has been altered very
little in the past 400 years or so. The garden covers 12.4
hectares in size and can be divided into three terraces.

9. Chashme shahi Garden
•
• Chashme Shahi Garden, meaning 'The Royal Spring', is situated at
the foothills of Zabarwan Mountains in Srinagar. Covering an area
that is 108 metres in length and 38 metres in width, this garden is
the smallest amongst the three Mughal Gardens in the city. Shah
Jahan – the Mughal emperor – got this garden laid under his
supervision in 1632.
•
The highlight of Chashme Shahi Garden is its natural spring of
freshwater, which has mineral content. There are three terraced
formations in the garden, which are carpeted with lush greenery
and dotted with colourful flowers. It is lined with numerous trees of
Chinar and different fruits, which add to its picturesque charm.

10. Hazratbal Shrine
• Hazratbal Shrine is the holiest shrine in Srinagar. The
presence of the hair of Prophet Mohammed makes it a
revered place for the Muslims. The Shrine is right on the
banks of Dal Lake and is an important pilgrimage site.
• The shrine has a courtyard that opens to the lake. From the
outside the shrine looked dull. It has a large outer hall and
a sacred inner sanctum. Out of reverence people wear caps
while entering the shrine. There are skull caps in a basket at
the entrance and can picked and worn before entering the
inner sanctum. The interior of the shrine is quite peaceful
and cool. It is a place for meditation and to prayer. It is also
here that the relic of Prophet Mohammed is kept.

11. Shankaracharya Temple
• Overlooking the beautiful town of Srinagar, the ancient
shrine,Shankaracharya Temple is located at a height of
1100 feet on the hill known as Takht-I-Sulaiman. The
scared site offers splendid views of the valley and the
snow covered mountains of the Pir Panjal range. Also
known as the Jyesteshwara temple the Shankaracharya
temple is known to be built by Raja Gopadatya in 371
BC who named it as Gopadri.
• The shrine has a circular cell that provides a wonderful
view of the valley below. The inner chamber of the
Shankaracharya temple after being renovated was
covered with a modern ceiling.

12. SONMARG
• Sonmarg, located at an altitude of 3000 meters in the
picturesque state of Jammu & Kashmir is a beautiful
place to visit. Sonmarg which means “meadows of
gold”, stands true to its name with majestic Himalayas
in the background and spectacular valleys around.
Sonmarg has scenic trekking routes which takes you to
scenic Himalayan lakes of Vishansar, Krishnasar and
Gangabal. With its stunning landscapes, valley of
flowers and natural beauty, Sonmarg is a place where
tourist would enjoy every moment while vacationing
with friends and family. Visitor can also explore
Sonmarg while taking a pony ride.

14. GULMARG
• Gulmarg (The Meadow Of Flowers ) is located 56-km South
West Of Srinagar,at an attitude of 2730 m.Gulmarg is
famous for Alpather Lake, Golf Courses & Skiing.
•
A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes
where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells,
Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not
surprisingly have been the venue of several films.
The name means 'Meadow Of Flowers' and in the spring it's
just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colourful
Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Not's and Buttercups. The
valley itself is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.

15. gulmarg

16. PAHALGAM
• Pahalgam is a beautiful valley, and the Lidder River running
through it makes it even more picturesque. The river is one
of the favorite spots for trout fishing in the country. Rafting
is also organized at this river.
• 1. Visit Club Park: Club Park is one of the oldest parks in
Pahalgam. It is crowded, specifically on weekends. The
garden blends perfectly with its surrounding hills and river
running nearby and looks more like a naturally created
garden.
• 2. Stop at Aru Village: Aru village is around 12 km from
Pahalgam. Taxis are available from Pahalgam on shared
basis. It is a beautiful village, visited by far lesser tourists
and is more peaceful than Pahalgam. Some scenes from the
film ‘Jaab Tak Hai Jaan,’ were shot here

17. Pahalgam