Beautiful Kashmir – SRINAGAR – SONMARG-GULMARG-PAHALGAM

5 NIGHT/ 6 DAYS

Srinagar:

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is opened in 2007 to boost floriculture and tourism in Kashmir Valley. Spread over an area of about 30 hectares, it is a seven-terraced garden built on a sloping ground overlooking the Dal Lake. The garden houses about 48 varieties of tulip flowers. When in the full bloom the tulips sprawl in about 12 hectares of area and provide a mesmerizing view. The garden also has several types of other flowers including daffodils, hyacinths, roses, narcissus, and other ornamental plants. The water channel running through the terraces adds more charm to the place and makes it a perfect place for romantic couples who can get some memorable pictures clicked here.

This major tourist place in Srinagar comes to life during the spring season (March & April) when the Tulip Festival is held. It is an annual celebration that aims to showcase the range of flowers in the garden as a part of tourism efforts by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. This event attracts tourists from all over the world when the seemingly endless green patch of the garden is dotted with about 20 lakh flowers of different colors. During this flower festival, several cultural programs, as well as exhibitions of local handicraft and cuisine, are organized.

The eye-soothing verdure and rows and rows of blossoming tulips of different colors with mighty Zabarwan Hills and the sparkling Dal Lake in the backdrop lend immense scenic beauty to this garden. Besides, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden offers stunning views that will surely be etched in your mind forever! And the cool breeze along with the sweet aroma of hundreds of tulips is a cherry on the cake! It is one of the best places to see in Srinagar.

Dal Lake, Srinagar

Dal Lake is an urban lake located in Srinagar. Also known as the ‘Jewel of Srinagar Enclosed by splendid Pir Panjal mountains and Mughal Gardens, Dal Lake covers over an area of 18 square kilometers. It is on an average 5 ft deep and goes to a maximum of 20 ft at some places. Dal Lake is part of a natural wetland that covers 21 square kilometers including floating gardens. The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins- Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nigeen. Lokut Dal and Bod Dal each have an island in the center, known as Rup Lank or Char Chinar and Sona Lank respectively.

According to legend, there are two theories for the origin of the lake. One states that it is a post-glacial lake that has undergone a lot of changes in size over the years whereas the other theory states that, the Dal Lake was formed due to flood spillage from the Jhelum River. The lake is also an important source for commercial operations like fishing and water plant harvesting. Reckoned to be the pride of Kashmir tourism,

The 18 km long shoreline of the lake is encompassed by a line of Mughal era gardens, parks, and famous houseboats. Tourists visiting Dal Lake love to take a ride in the beautiful Shikaras, which are basically wooden boats decorated beautifully with canopies overhead. The houseboats on the lake are also the top attraction and the best accommodation option in Srinagar for tourists. It is ideal for family vacationers, honeymoon couples, and even solo travellers seeking peace.

Dal Lake is also one of the best locations in Kashmir for film shooting as it offers some incredible vistas of lofty rolling hills, the distant snow-capped mountains, shikaras cruising quietly, and the houseboat standing still with the perfect poise. Along with being a popular place for nature lovers, Dal Lake even invites the fishing enthusiast with its plethora of fish along with Carp. In addition to this, the floating vegetable and flower market is a major place to see.

A unique shopping experience in Dal Lake is that of the lake market, which includes many shops located right in the midst of the lake. Much like a roadside market would have, hawkers are present here as well. They have Shikaras of their own and have all sorts of goods for sale, which include Kashmir’s specialties such as wooden artwork, handmade earrings, saffron, and even Kashmiri ponchos.

Nishat Bagh, Srinagar

Nishat Bagh is situated on the eastern shore of the enchanting Dal Lake. It is the second-largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley while Shalimar Bagh is the largest, which is also located on the bank of the Dal Lake. In Urdu, Nishat Bagh means ‘Garden of Joy’, ‘Garden of Gladness’, and ‘Garden of Delight’. Nishat Bagh is a garden of bliss that commands a magnificent view of the lake beneath the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range that stands far away to the west of the Kashmir Valley.Covering an area of 46 acres, Nishat Bagh starts from the banks of Dal Lake and extends up to the hill end with polished stone channels. It is largely influenced by Persian architecture like all the Mughal Gardens. It consists of 12 terraces, which represent an equal number of zodiac signs. However, it has only two sections, namely the public garden and the private garden for the Zenana or harem. Tall Chinar trees and colorful flowers adorn the lush green landscape of this garden which also has several beautiful fountains. There is a rectangular pool in its center that has been formed by bringing down a mountain spring called the Gopi Thirst from a 15-feet high slide. Besides, the place also provides a splendid view of the Dal Lake as well as the snowcapped Pir Panjal mountain range which gives a memorable experience.

Shalimar Garden, Srinagar

Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh was built in the year 1619 by the Mughal emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife Noor Jahan and was called ‘Farah Baksh’ (‘the delightful’). Later in the year 1630, under Emperor Shah Jahan’s orders, Zafar Khan the governor of Kashmir extended the garden and named it ‘Faiz Baksh’ (‘the bountiful’). It then became a pleasure place for the Sikh governors of the province. It is now a public park and is also referred to as the ‘Crown of Srinagar’. It is now a public park and is known as the ‘Crown of Srinagar’.

Spread across a vast area of 31 acres, Shalimar Bagh is the largest of the three Mughal gardens in Srinagar, the other two being Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi. It is considered the high point of Mughal horticulture. The architecture and landscaping of this garden draw inspiration from the Persian Char Bagh. It was built on flat land on a square plan with four radiating arms from a central location as the water source. The garden was linked to the open Dal Lake water through a canal of about 1-mile in length and 11 m in width that ran through the swampy quagmire. Willow groves and rice terraces fringed the lake edge. Broad green paths bordered the lake with rows of Chinar trees. The garden was laid in trellised walkways lined by avenues of aspen trees planted at 2 feet (0.61 m) intervals.

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar

Shankaracharya Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir. Also known as Jyeshteshwara Temple, the temple is named after the great philosopher Shankaracharya. It is believed to be the place where Adi Shankaracharya attained spiritual enlightenment. After this, he formed the four Hindu schools of Advaita or the philosophy of non-dualism. The Shivaling he worshipped is now placed inside the temple.

The Shankaracharya Temple dates back to 200 BC, but the present-day structure of the temple belongs to the 9th century. Many historians and scholars believe that earlier the temple was a Buddhist site of worship. The magnificent temple is also known as the Garden of King Solomon, and Persian inscriptions can also be found here inside the main temple. Shankaracharya visited this temple centuries ago and is also believed that he was responsible for changing this temple from a Buddhist monastery to a Hindu temple. The Shivaling that is found inside the temple was placed here in the 19th century during the Sikh period.

Built on an octagonal base on solid rock, the temple can be reached after climbing a flight of around 243 steps, which were built by Maharaja Gulab Singh. A 20 feet octagonal base supports a square building on top. Made of grey stone blocks, the interior is a small dark chamber, which is circular in the plan. It has a ceiling that is supported by octagonal columns and this surrounds a small basin that contains the Lingam which is encircled by a snake. The structure of the temple also includes two small buildings that have been built for the sadhus or saints who live here. Besides, the temple offers splendid views of the entire valley as well as the world-famous Dal Lake and is indeed a sight to behold.

Chashme Shahi, Srinagar

Chashme Shahi is a beautiful Mughal garden located in Srinagar. Situated near Raj Bhawan, it is one of the three Mughal Gardens in Srinagar, and among the Srinagar tourist places.Located in the Zabarwan range & overlooking the Dal Lake, Chashme Shahi was built in 1632 AD by the Mughal Governor Ali Mardan Khan on the orders of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his eldest son Dara Shikoh. The garden is built around a freshwater spring that was unearthed by Rupa Bhawani, a renowned female Kashmiri saint from the Sahib clan of Kashmiri Pandits, and the garden was named Chashme Sahibi after the saint. Later, the name got corrupted and today the garden is known as Chashme Shahi which means the Royal Spring.

With 108 m long and 38 m wide, the garden is spread over an acre of land and is considered the smallest garden among the three Mughal gardens of Srinagar, the other two being the Shalimar Garden (largest) and Nishat Garden (second largest). Also known as Chashme-i-Shahi, this artistically build Mughal garden has Iranian influence in its art and architecture and the design is based on the Persian gardens. It is a three-terraced garden dotted with walkways, colorful plants, and pools of water.

The main highlight of the garden is the spring which flows down in terraces and is divided into three sections – an aqueduct, waterfall, and fountains. A two-storey Kashmiri hut stands on the first terrace which is the origin of the spring. The water then flows down through a water ramp (chadar) into the second terrace that serves as a water pool with a large fountain in its center. Then, the water again flows down into the third terrace, which is a square five-fountain pool. Visitors need to climb a flight of stairs on both sides of the terraces which lead up to the origin of the spring. Tourists visit this attraction to drink water from the spring which is said to have medicinal properties.

Thajiwas Glacier, Sonmarg:-

Thajiwas Glacier is a mountain glacier located in Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir. Referred to as ‘The hidden jewel of Kashmir, it is one of the most famous places for trekking in Jammu & Kashmir, and among the most visited tourist places in Sonamarg.

Perched at an altitude of 9,186 feet, Thajiwas Glacier is an exquisite beauty overlooked by Tajiwas Mountain, and surrounded by alpine meadows, conifer trees, and frozen lakes. The glacier is a perfect spot for trekking and camping enthusiasts. One can either trek all on their own or even hire a pony and a local to accompany you along. The trek is not difficult at all. On the way to the glacier, the tourists get to witness the beauty of the silver-shining frozen lake along with all the greenery around. There are also the Gujjar tribes who have their camps set up and earn their livelihood here.

Thajiwas Glacier Trek is a short one that starts from Sonamarg town itself and ends at the Glacier which takes around 2 hours to complete. The 3 km long trek passes through lush green pastures, and a beautiful forest, and ends at a viewpoint from where you get a clear view of the glacier. There is also the option of hiring a pony to get to the glacier. The glacier remains covered in snow throughout the year where tourists can enjoy activities like sledding rides, building snowmen, and pony rides. There are a few tea stalls at the viewpoint where one can get something to eat before starting on your way back.

Pahalgam:-

Pahalgam is a beautiful hill station located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is situated at an altitude of 2,740 meters (8,990 ft) on the banks of the Lidder River. Pahalgam is known for its lush green meadows, pristine waters, and stunning mountain views. It is a popular tourist destination for people who want to experience the beauty of Kashmir.

Go for a hike or trek in the surrounding mountains. There are trails for all levels of experience, from gentle walks to challenging climbs.

Visit Betaab Valley, a meadow that was made famous by the Bollywood movie of the same name.

Go fishing in the Lidder River, which is known for its trout population.Take a ride on a pony or horse through the meadows.

Visit Chandanwari, which is the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.

Go for a picnic by Tulian Lake, a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains

.Play golf at the Pahalgam Golf Course, one of the highest golf courses in the world.

Shop for souvenirs in the local markets.

Gulmarg:

Gulmarg is one of the top honeymoon destinations in India. This pristine hill town has also been developed as an adventure hub as the Indian Institute of Skiing, and Mountaineering is located here. A lot of courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding.There are a lot of other private tour operators in Gulmarg as well, which provide similar courses and facilities for skiing and snowboarding

. This alluring tourist destination in the Kashmir valley is great for both a family, honeymoon, and snow adventure sports lovers.Regarded as one of the best skiing destinations in India, Gulmarg is adorned with lofty snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, small lakes, and a wide variety of flowers. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Alpather Lake, Ningle Nallah, Ferozepur Nallah, Shiva Temple, Shrine of Baba Reshi, Saint Mary’s Church, Maharani Temple, Drung Waterfall, Kongdoori, Gulmarg Golf Course, etc., are some of the popular tourist places to visit in Gulmarg. Gulmarg also has the world’s second-highest Gondola ride. Due to its mesmerizing scenic beauty, Gulmarg has also been a popular destination for shooting various Bollywood films.