India Travel Guide

WULAR LAKE

It is difficult to describe inmere words the beguiling beauty of Wular Lake.For one, its formidable size - this is one ofAsia’s largest fresh water lakes - for another, itchanges character every few miles.The drive from Srinagar will take you to the aim waters of Manasbal Lake, where there is no other sound but birdsong.Driving through the town of Bandipora, which las a delightfully laid out Mughal Garden, the Wular will always be to your left.Y/ATLAB: Gradually, the panoply of the ‘real Kashmir’, miles away from well-traversed areas, sill unfold before you, and you will reach
Watlab. Here, high on a hilltop is the shrine of a Muslim mystic, Baba Shukurddin. From here, the Wular Lake stretches away as far as the eye can

THE MUGHAL GARDENS

Terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them - the three Mughal Gardens of Ches-mashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors’ concept of paradise and are popular places for picnics and excursions today.

PARI MAHAL

Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. Situ¬ated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal, the ancient monument, has a well-laid spa¬cious garden in front and is connected to Chesh¬mashahi by road. It is illuminated at night.

HARWAN

On the hillside, south of the vil¬lage of Harwan (19 km from the TRC), remark¬able remains of ancient ornamented tile pave¬ments of the Buddhist period have come to light.

TEMPLES & MOSQUES

HAZRATBALMOSQUE: Hazratbal Mosque is located in a village of the same name on the banks of the Dal. Its pristine white marble ele¬gance is reflected in the waters of the lake.Hazratbal’s special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people.

JAMA MASJID:

The Jama Masjid at Nowhat-ta, in the heart of the old city, is the other impor¬tant mosque in Srinagar at which thousands of peo¬ple congregate for Friday prayers. Of imposing proportions, the mosque is built around a court¬yard and is supported by 370 wooden pillars.

SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE

The sa¬cred temple of Shankaracharya occupies the top of the hills known as Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar. The site dates back to 250BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya stayed at this place when he visited Kashmir ten centu¬ries ago to revive the Sanatan Dharma.

KHANQAH OF SHAH HAMADAN

Situat¬ed on the banks of the river Jhelum, between the third and fourth bridge, it is the first mosque ever built in Srinagar. The original one was built in 1395.

HARI PARBAT FORT & TEMPLE OF SHARIKA DEVI

The Mughal emperor’s fort crowns the top of Hari Parbat hill. The hill is surrounded by almond orchards, which make a lovely sight during April when the trees blossom, heralding the advent of spring in Kashmir.

Makhdoom Sahib

On the southern side of the Hari Parbat hill is the historic shrine of Makhdoom Sahib, which is visited by people of all faiths.