The throbbing heart of Srinagar is Dal Lake. An enchanting bluish silver sheet dotted with brightly coloured shikaras and elegant house boats. When twilight descends over the lake, the blue turns to a flaming fantasy of lights. And while you are at Srinagar browse around at the shops and take back a quaint Kashmiri curio as a memento.
HARI PARBAT
Legend has it that this hill grew out of a pebble thrown by Goddess Parvati, to crush a demon. Today the imposing fort, built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, crowns this hill. On its magnificient slopes lie the famous shrine of Makhdoom Sahib and many temples.
HAZRATBAL
This magnificient mosque, built on the shores of Dal Lake, houses one of the holiest of Muslim relics, a hair of the Prophet Mohammad. It is brought down from its reliquary nine times a year, to be shown to the faithful.
Once the exclusive pleasure resorts of the mighty Mughal emperors are now yours. Each garden with a name like the tinkling splash of its fountains; Nishat,Chashma Shahi, Shalimar, Nehru Park, each a personal vision of paradise.
NAGIN LAKE
Tucked away, calm and peaceful, the only ripples on its serene waters are caused by water skiing enthusiasts. The Nagin lake is a paradise for a sporting, aquatic holiday surrounded by a lovely garden of chinar trees and a club house.
HOW TO REACH:
Srinagar has direct daily flights from Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu with connecting flights from Calcutta and Mumbai. Train services operate upto Jammu. From here regular Taxis and Deluxe Bus services are available.
WHERE TO STAY
Srinagar has excellent modern hotels, house boats and inexpensive accommodation in guest houses.
EXCURSIONS
KHIR BHAWANI popularly known as `Tulamool' is a marble temple of Goddess Bhawani in a pool of spring waters, with a Gold plated dome. The temple is surrounded by number of age old huge Chinar trees and the entire area around the temple has stone flooring.
MANASBAL LAKE A small but beautiful lake sprinkled with lotus and a heaven for aquatic birds. On the bank is a lovely lush, terraced garden.
WULAR LAKE An hour's drive from Srinagar are the jade green waters of the largest fresh water lake in Asia, with a motorable road skirting it.
MUGHAL GARDENS
AVANTIPUR Beyond the saffron fields of Pampore lie the stone temples which bear a distinct Greek influence.