The capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city in the state, Srinagar is famous for its canals, houseboats and Mughal gardens. The city itself is quite unlike most other large Indian cities for here you are much more in Central Asia than on the sub continent. It's a city full of intriguing alleyways and curious buildings. A place where it's very easy to spend a few hours simply wandering - particularly along the old city streets near the Jhelum river. The city has long been a center of art and leaning. Srinagar is a unique city because of its lakes - the Dal, Nagin and Anchar. The River Jhelum also flows through a part of the city.
On your tour to India, you might just be inclined to know about Srinagar, a city of excellent landscapes and abundant natural beauty. The city throws up several expanses of breathtaking natural beauty welcoming scores of tourists from all over the world. Shankracharya Temple
Location of Srinagar:
Situated on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the famous Indus River, the city of Srinagar is a heavenly abode on earth with numerous lakes and large expanses of green valleys spread throughout. The Jhelum River runs through the city and the valley, emptying in the Wular Lake. The city at 876 km north of Delhi is famous for its nine ancient bridges, linking the two parts of the city.
History of Srinagar:
Founded by the King Pravarasena II over 2,000 years ago, Srinagar owes its name to two Sanskrit words, Sri (meaning profusion and wealth) and Nagar, (meaning a city). Dating back to the 3rd century BC, the city was formerly a part of the Mauryan Empire, which once happened to be one of the most important empires of India. This region prospered quite well under the rule of the Kushans in the 1st century AD. During this period, it used to be an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. In the 6th century, however, it became a part of the kingdom of Vikramaditya, the ruler of Ujjain. Local Hindu rulers ruled it until the 14th century, when Muslims rulers invaded and captured it. With the downfall of the Mughal Empire the fortunes of the area swung dramatically. In 1814, it went to the Sikhs, when Ranjit Singh got the better of the Pathans. However, ultimately the British defeated Ranjit Singh and in accordance with the treaty of Lahore in 1846, they appointed Gulab Singh as the autonomous ruler of Kashmir. Later, Hari Singh, the great grandson of Gulab Singh, united this huge state into India in 1948, when the Pathan intruders from Pakistan tried to capture this state.
The Hindu and the Buddhist rule of Srinagar lasted until the 14th century when the Kashmir valley, including the city, came under the control of the several Muslim rulers, including the Mughals. It was also the capital during the reign of Yusuf Shah Chak, a ruler who was tricked by Akbar when he failed to conquer Kashmir by force. Yusuf Shah Chak remains buried in Bihar in India. Akbar established Mughal rule in Srinagar and Kashmir valley.
When the disintegration of the Mughal Empire set forth after the death of Auranzeb in 1707, infiltrations to the valley from the Pathan tribes increased, and they ruled the city for several decades. Raja Ranjit Singh in the year 1814 annexed a major part of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, to his kingdom, and the city came under the influence of the Sikhs subsequent to the signing of a treaty between the Sikh rulers and the British in Lahore in 1846, known as the Treaty of Lahore. The treaty provided the British de-facto suzerainty over the Kashmir Valley, and British installed Gulab Singh as an independent and sovereign ruler of the regions, and Srinagar became part of his Kingdome, and remained for long one like one of the several princely states of undivided India.
After, India's independence, certain tribes, mostly Pathans and Pashtuns, actively supported by elements of the Pakistani force, invaded the valley to wrestle control, by armed force, of the city of Srinagar and the Valley. This was done in spite of the-then ruler Maharaj Hari Singh having a solemn and sovereign assurance (of the British Government) backed by the international law that all rulers of such states were free to remain as independent entities, or to choose to annex either to India or to Pakistan. In view of infiltration by armed forces and the possibility of his kingdom, including the city of Srinagar falling into the hands of the forces inimical to him, his kingdom and to the people the valley, Hari Singh signed a covenant in 1948 with the government of India, which ensured integration of his kingdom into the newly formed Republic of India conditioned on the requirement of having a plebiscite after any conflict had ended.
Best Seasons, Climate, and Clothing:
The climatic conditions in Srinagar are mostly alpine. Summers (April-June) are gentle and soothing while the winters (November-February) are icy cold. During December-February it is blessed with heavy snowfall. Srinagar is best visited during summers between the months of April and June. You will need to carry heavy woolens while traveling to Srinagar.
Fast Facts
Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and English
Best time to Visit : April-June
STD Code : 0194
Tourist Attractions of Srinagar
Srinagar is located in the picturesque Kashmir valley and one of the most beautiful cities in India in terms of natural splendor. The tourist attractions of Srinagar are mainly related to natural beauty like lakes, gardens, etc. Other than that, there are some shrines that form the tourist attractions of Srinagar. The state of Srinagar embodies the poetry of nature, which no human language can interpret in words. Majestic ice capped mountains, verdant woods, lively rivers and placid lakes form the landscape of the state. The state can be divided in 3 distinct regions, namely:
The foothill plains of Jammu
Kashmir Valley
Mountainous Ladakh
All three are strikingly varied from one another in terms of geography, culture, religion and climate. So the tourist attraction in Srinagar not only lies in the outstanding sceneries, but also in its cultural variation from one area to another.
Hazratbal Shrine: Situated opposite the Nishat Bagh on the banks of Dal Lake, the Hazratbal Shrine houses the Moi-e-Muqqadus (preserved sacred hair) of Prophet Mohammad. It is one of the most popular shrines in Srinagar, revered by Hindus as well as Muslims.
Dal Lake: Srinagar sightseeing loses its meaning if you have not visited the Dal Lake. With the backdrop of mountains on three sides, the view of the Dal Lake looks as if you are watching a photograph. This lake counts amongst the most splendid lakes in the country. One of the major attractions of the Dal Lake is the houseboats that stand lining its edges.
Nagin Lake: Another popular tourist attraction of Srinagar is the Nagin Lake. Placid water of the lake, surrounded with manicured flowerbeds and groves of chinar, poplar and willow, is enough to capture your heart.
Shankaracharya Temple: Perched on the Takht-e-Suleiman hill, the Shankaracharya Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is supposed to be the oldest shrine of the Kashmir valley.
