Srinagar is the heart of the Kashmir Valley, still preserves the imprints of the Mughals and the British. The valley takes great pride in its lakes, gardens and the charming rows of houseboats floating on them. Popular for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts, kashmiri clothes and dry fruits, Srinagar is bordered by five districts. To its northern side is Kargil, in the south is Pulwama and in the north-west lies Budgam. "If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here", exclaimed the Mughal emperor Jahangir on his first visit to this place.
Places To Visit In Srinagar
Dal Lake
Dal lake is the most beautiful of all lakes in Srinagar city. It is lined with the famous Mughal gardens which were commissioned besides the lake to create a setting unparalleled, as Mughals sought to build a summer getaway for themselves. A glance will let you know that it is beauty personified as the lake glistens and shines while colourful shikaras float and ferry people over the calm waters (tip: take a ride for first hand experience). Some houseboats can also be seen with floating gardens which are maintained by native Kashmiris, although these were actually conceptualized by the Britishers
Nigeen Lake
Nigeen Lake (alteratively spelled as Nageen Lake) is a mildly eutrophic. lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is sometimes considered a part of the Dal lake and is connected to it via a narrow strait. It is also connected to the Khushal Sar and Gil Sar lakes via a channel known as Nallah Amir Khan.
The Nigeen lake is surrounded by a large number of willow and poplar trees. Hence, it has come to be referred as a “nageena”, which means “the jewel in the ring”. The word “nigeen” is a local variant of the same word.
The lake is located adjacent to the Hari Parbat hillock, to the west of the Dal lake. To its north east lies the locality of Hazratbal, which is known for the famous shrine.
ShankarCcharaya Temple
Dedicated to worship of the fiercest God in the Holy Hindu Trinity, Shiva, Shankaracharya temple is situated on the Zabarwan Mountain Range. The temple is believed to be built around 9AD and has seen several rounds of restoration by early rulers. The temple was graced by Adi Shankara's visit, that's why it got this name but several researchers have another theory that the temple was actually a Buddhist place of worship which was later turned into a Hindu place of worship by Adi Shankara
Floating Market
On Dal Lake, the Floating Vegetable Market is a unique site to savour in Srinagar. This colorful floating market, set against the beautiful backdrop, marks it as a photographer's haven. The pretty picture it proffers makes it one of the must-see places in Srinagar, Kashmir. One has to reach early in the morning to witness the bustling floating market.
The floating gardens in the natural wetlands of Srinagar are the prime source of vegetables cultivation and these fresh vegetables are then sold on the floating shikara boats on the lake.