Srinagar India

Category:- All India Travel Tourism > City Guide > Jammu & Kashmir >srinagar

Shankaracharya Temple :
The sacred temple of Shankaracharya occupies the top of the hills known as Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar. The saint Shankaracharya stayed at this place when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive Sanatan Dharma It is devoted to Lord Shiva. The site dates back to 2,500 BC. The philosopherShankaracharya stayed at this site when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive "Sanatan Dharma".

Kheer Bhawani Temple :
The Goddess Ragnya Devi is symbolised as a sacred spring at Tula Mula village, 27 kms from Srinagar. Within the spring is a small marble temple. The devotees of the goddess fast and gather here on the eighth day of the full moon in the month of May when, according to belief, the goddess changes the colour of the spring's waters. The temple-spring complex is affectionately known as Kheer Bhawani because of the thousands of devotees who offer milk and 'kheer' to the sacred spring, which magically turns black to warn of disaster.

Hari Parbat :
To the west of the Dal lies the Hari Parbat Hill, sacred to the Goddess Sharika in whose honour a temple has been consecrated on the western slopes of the hill. Further up, on the crest of the hill is Hari Parhat Fort which dates to the 18th century.The hill is considered sacred to the Hindus due to the presence of temple of Sharika, which is believed to be a form of goddess Durga or Shakti. As legend suggests, this hill was once a lake as large as a sea, inhabited by the abominable demon, Jalobhava. They called on Sati Mata for her help and, taking the form of a bird, she dropped a pebble on his head. The pebble increased in size as it fell and crushed him. Hari Parbat is revered as that pebble and it became the home for all 33 crore gods of the Hindu pantheon.

Charar-e-Sharief :
Situated on the road to Yusmarg, this is the site of the shrine or Ziarat of Sheik Noor-ud-Din, the patron saint of Kashmir. The valley also has the Ziarats of a number of his followers.

Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara :
The sixth Sikh guru travelled through Kashmir, stopping to preach occasionally. A gurudwara has been built at the exact site of each of these halts. The most important one among these is Chhatti Padshahi gurudwara, situated near the Kathi Darwaza, in Rainawari, Srinagar, which is held in great reverence by devotees of all faiths.

Dal Lake :
At the edge of the city lies the famous Dal Lake (8Km by 4Km) which houses the numerous houseboats. The houseboats, dating back to the British period, are an experience in themselves for the visitors with all the amenities and luxuries on board.

Nageen Lake :
To the east of the city is located the smaller Nageen Lake which also houses houseboats. Both lakes have varied fauna and flora. Lotus flowers are in abundance around the lakes whereas in some areas of the lakes, vegetables are grown on floating pieces of land. The lakes are visited by paddle boats or, more commonly, by Shikaras (luxury boats with canopies especially used for visitors).

Mughal Gardens :
Kashmir was a favourite of the Mughal emperors who visited it as often as they could. Cool and refreshing after the plains of North India where the business of governance kept them, they planted gardens with stepped terraces and flowing watercourses. Cheshma Shahi is the first Mughal garden one will pass after Nehru Park. Built at a height above the city, its views are as stupendous as its layout.The next garden along the road that encircles the Dal is the Nishat, built by empress Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan. The third Mughal garden - the Shalimar - was planted by Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, whose love for Kashmir was legendary.