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Sightseeing in Srinagar is commonly done by taxi. Another
way of seeing the city, especially the lake area, is by shikara.
It is particularly pleasure to row over the waters of the
Dal Lake to visit the Mughal Gardens and other lakeside sites,
including the famous Hazratbal mosque.
The well-known sights in the city are Shankaracharya Temple
atop the hill called Takht-e-Suleiman, a 5 km climb from Nehru
Park on a metalled road. Across the city is another, much
lower hill crowned by the Hari Parbat Fort, built by an Afghan
governor of Kashmir in the 18th century. The low wall enclosing
the upper part of the hill was constructed by Emperor Akbar.
On the hill are several famous places of worship: the temple
of goddess Sharika, the shrine of Muslim saint Makhdoorn Sahib,
and the historic Sikh Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi.
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Hazratbal Mosque
Hazratbal Mosque is located in a village of the same name
on the banks of the Dal. Its pristine white marble elegance
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. Hazratbal
is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar;
the others having distinct pagoda like roofs. The shrine –
mosque complex is situated on the western shore of the Dal
Lake opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of the
lake and the mountain beyond.
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Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid at Nowhatta, in the heart
of the old city, is the other important mosque in Srinagar
at which thousands of people congregate for the Friday prayers.
Of imposing proportions, the mosque is built around a courtyard
and is supported by 370 wooden pillars.
The hushed quiet of the mosque counterpoints the bustle of
the old bazaars surrounding it. Originally built by Sultan
Sikandar in 1400 AD, and enlarged by his son, Zain-ul-
Abidin, it is a typical example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
Destroyed thrice by fire and rebuilt each time, the mosque,
as it now stands, was repaired during the reign of Maharaja
Pratap Singh.
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:: 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 site dates back to 250BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya
stayed at this place when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago
to revive Sanatan Dharma.
Before this date, the temple was known as Gopadri, as an
earlier edifice on the same site was built by king Lalitaditya
in the 6th century AD. In fact, the road below the hill, with
residences of high- ranking State Government officials, is
still known as Gupkar road. Built on a high octagonal plinth
and approached by a flight of steps with side walls that once
bore inscriptions, the main surviving shrine consists of a
circular cell. It overlooks the Valley and can be approached
by a motorable road. A modern ceiling covers the inner sanctum
and an inscription in Persian traces its origin to the reign
of Emperor Shah Jehan. The original ceiling was dome- shaped
and the brick roof, it appears, is not more than a century
old.
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:: Khanqah
of Shah Hamadan
Situated 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.
Shah Hamadan's full name was Mir Sayed Ali Hamadni, the surname
being derived from the city of Hamadan in Persia. Shah-i-Hamdan,
who came from Persia in the 13th century, was responsible
for the spread of Islam in Kashmir. Khanqah-i-Mualla, on the
banks of the Jhelum, was the very spot where Shah-i-Hamdan
used to offer prayers.
After staying in Kashmir for many years, he left for Central
Asia via Ladakh.A mosque established by him at Shey (near
Leh) attracts devotees from far and wide.
The Khanqah is a wooden structure whose chief aesthetic feature
is its beautifully carved eaves and hanging bells. The interiors
are richly carved and painted, and the antique chandeliers
give it an air of opulence.
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:: Hari
Parbat Fort & Temple of Sharika Devi
The Mughal emperor's fort crowns the top of Hari Parbat hill.
There is little left of its former glory, but the ramparts are
still impressive and the old apartments within the fort, even
though in a state of ruin, still convey at least a little of
the grandeur of the Mughals’ summer retreat in ‘paradise’.
The fort was later developed in 18th century by an Afghan governor,
Ata Mohammad Khan. 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. The wall around the
hill was built by Akbar in 1592-98 AD. 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.
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:: 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.
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With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright
flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them -
the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar
are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today
very popular places for picnics and excursions.
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Shalimar
Bagh
Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan, Shalimar,
15 kms from the TRC, is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas
over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. The garden is
539 m by 182 m and has four terraces, rising one above the
other. A canal lined with polished stones and supplied with
water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden. The
fourth terrace, by far the best, was once reserved for royal
ladies.
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Nishat
Bagh
Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan
Mountains as its backdrop, (11 km. from TRC), this 'garden
of bliss' commands a magnificent view of the lake and the
snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away
to the west of the valley. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD
by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan.
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Chashma
Shahi
At Chashmashai, is a tastefully laid garden in terraces,
which commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and
surrounding mountain ranges. The cool water of the spring
is highly refreshing and digestive. The original garden was
laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD. |
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Pari
Mahal
Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid
out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A
Buddhist monastery at one time, it was converted into a school
of astrology by Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest
son. Situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal,
the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in
front, is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. It is illuminated
at night.
How to reach
Taxis can be hired in Srinagar for complete sightseeing in
the city
For details/reservation Click
Here......
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