Geography

Demography

• Jammu
• Ladakh
• Srinagar

Tourist Place in Srinagar

Location:	Jammu & Kashmir, India
Temperature:	Summer: 32°C,21°C: Winter:21°C, 8°C
STD Code:	194
Best Times:	April to September
Attractions:	Dal Lake. Gardens, Pari Mahal,Shankaracharya Temple, Gulmarg
Language:	Hindi, Urdu, English

The most important tourist attraction in Srinagar is the Dal Lake. It has four enormous water bodies, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, Gagribal and Nagin. The lake is not a flat, continuous mass of water, but an intricate labyrinth of waterways, that constitute a spectacular sight and an amazing locale to explore.

Gardens are major tourist attractions in Srinagar. The Mughal emperors fell in love with the city and decorated with beautiful gardens, which are collectively known as the Mughal Gardens. The quadrangular plots crisscrossed by pathways intersecting at right angles. A few renowned gardens are: Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashma Shahi Gardens.

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.

Shankaracharya Temple is a monument of great significance, not only because of its religious importance, but also for its architectural beauty. A high octagonal platform supports the temple structure, reached by a flight of around hundred steps. The sidewalls of the steps are believed to have once bore valuable inscriptions.An inscription in Persian inside the Shankaracharya Temple dates back to the reign of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. Shankaracharya temple, as it stands today, has undergone several renovations in its lifetime.

Gulmarg lies at a distance of 48kms from the city. The road to Gulmarg, lined by tall Deodars and undulating flower meadows offer a pleasant drive. The golf course at Gulmarg, which happens to the highest one in the world, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Srinagar for many.