Must See Spots in Srinagar, Kashmir

Srinagar is one of the most sort after destinations for travellers from all over the world , The most popular holiday itinerary for this sector is a combination of Srinagar , Pahalgam and Gulmarg .Information on some of the   must see tourist spots in Srinagar is as below :

Jhelum, the Vitasta of the Rigveda, weaves its way through the old part of the city dividing the north from the south. Originally, nine bridges (lade in Kashmiri) spanned the river - Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Budshah Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Aali Kadal, Nawa Kadal and Safa Kadal - many of which have now been rebuilt, while several smaller, new bridges have been added. The view from any of the old city's bridges is unmistakably Kashmiri, with old brick buildings lining the banks and shrines with pagoda-roofs breaking the symmetry.

The old city of Srinagar has sights, smells and sounds to enchant the most jaded traveller. The bustling bazaars are a photographers delight, selling everything from clothes to bread to vegetables, with shop after shop selling household items including the distinctly Kashmiri copperware. The colours and patterns of the local handicrafts - with weavers at work, fabric hanging out to dry, shops selling shawls, carpets - add to the mood of the old city.

Lal Chowk, a city square, is both the main commercial centre of downtown Srinagar as well as the political centre of the town. It was at Lal Chowk that Jawaharalal Nehru unfurled the national flag in 1948. The clock tower here, built in 1980, is a popular landmark. Along with Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk is the other major shopping hub in the old city.

Dachigam National Park

Dachigam National Park was established for the protection of the rare and endangered Kashmiri stag, or Hangul, found exclusively in the valley. Situated 18 kms from the city centre, the park is barely 1 km from Harwan Gardens.

Apart from the Hangul, the park also has the Tibetan wild ass, wolf, musk deer and snow leopard. Birds here include the black-necked crane, pheasant, goose and pea-fowl.

Permission to visit the Park must be sought from the Wildlife Department in Srinagar.

For those looking for a more fashionable address, Polo View and the recently-renovated Bund are a must-visit. The Bund (meaning walkway), situated on the right bank of the Jhelum, in Civil Lines are, was once a popular esplanade of the British. To this day it has the most upscale stores in town, including the famous photographers, Mahattas, the Shaw Brothers, known for their Kashmiri weaving, and the handicraft emporium, Suffering Moses. Its English architecture with wooden structures and wide spaces are all reminiscent of its British lineage.

The old city also boasts of Kashmir's many ancient shrines and mosques among which the shrine of Shah-i-Hamdan, situated between Habba Kadal and Fateh Kadal, is the oldest.

Situated at Nowhatta, in the middle of the old city, is the striking 15th century Jama Masjid, quite unlike other congregation mosque in the country. The pagoda-roofed mosque has a magnificent courtyard and 370 wooden pillars. The serene qi.TicLude in the mosque contrasts sharply with the din from the bazaars surrounding it. Destroyed thrice by fire and rebuilt each time, the mosque, as it stands today, was last repaired during the reign of the Maharaja Pratap Singh.

The other major shrines in the old city include Patthar Masjid built by Noor Jehan in 1620, Madani Masjid, Makhdoom Sahib and Pir Dastagir (recently destroyed in an electric short circuit). Tourists are welcome to visit the mosques and shrines in the old city.

Pandrethan Temple

Pandrethan, 6 kms from Srinagar, was once the capital of Kashmir, founded by Emperor Ashoka. The city, destroyed in a fire, is only survived by a Shiva temple that once stood in the middle of a water tank. The 10th-century Pandrethan Temple is known for its unique symmetrical design and the geometry involved in its construction. H.H. Cole who visited Kashmir in 1869 described the temple as 'one of the most perfect pieces of ancient carving that exists in Kashmir.

For further information on Kashmir Tour Packages , contact Swan Tours - One of the most professional  travel agents in India .