|
City Information
|
Area |
105 sq kms |
|
Altitude |
1,730 m. |
|
Temperature |
Max |
Min |
|
Summer |
29.5 C |
10.6 C |
|
Winter |
7.3 C |
-1.9 C |
|
Rainfall |
52.9 cms |
|
Population |
930136 (2001
Census) |
|
Best Season |
Throughout
the year, though the winter
months can be quite cold. |
|
Clothing
Spring and autumn |
Light
woollens. |
|
Summer |
Cotton/tropical |
|
Winter |
Heavy
woollens |
|
Languages |
Kashmiri,
Urdu, Hindi, Englis |
|
|
Srinagar is located in the heart of the
Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread
on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes
 enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the
seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is
equally attractive to visitors around the year.
Kalhana, the author of 'Rajtarangini’,
states that Srinagri was founded by Emperor Ashoka (3rd Century
BC). The present city of Srinagar was founded by Pravarasena-II,
and Hiuen Tsang, who visited Kashmir in 631 AD, found it at the
same site as it is today. Laltaditya Muktapida was the most
illustrious ruler of Kashmir in the Hindu period, which ended in
1339 AD. King
Zain-ul-Abidin (1420-70 AD), popularly known as ‘Budshah’,
was a great patron of Sanskrit. Akbar captured Kashmir valley
for the Mughals, who endowed Srinagar with beautiful mosques and
gardens. The Sikhs overthrew the last Muslim ruler in the reign
of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819. In 1846 the Dogras secured the
sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of
Amrjtsar, and in 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir with
Srinagar as its capital, became part of the
Indian Union.
Today Srinagar is a resort for the tourist
who can experience, at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the
valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the
British to it.
Its waterways with their own quaint
lifestyle, the unique Houseboat, the blossoming gardens, water
sports activities, shopping for lovingly hand-crafted souvenirs
and the nearby resorts make it a cherished spot among those
looking for a memorable holiday
A Legend
Legend has it that when Pravarasena decided to build himself a
new capital, to choose the location he started walking at
midnight and was confronted by a demon on the other side of the
Mahasarit River. The demon spread his bent leg across the stream
and dared the king to cross over it to the other side. The king
cut off the leg with one stroke of his sword and calmly crossed.
The demon was delighted with the king's boldness and told him to
build the city where he would find the beginnings of a plan laid
out for him. The next morning the king found the boundary lines
drawn at the foot of Hari Parbat and built his city there. To
this day the waters of the Dal Lake are separated from the
Tsont-i-Kul by a Sathu or Bund that is shaped like a bent leg.
Houseboats
If one is longing for the delights of a houseboat holiday, then
check out lakes of Srinagar to try one. 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.
Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the
banks of the lake, and can be accessed directly from land
without the help of a Shikara. While all those on the Dal
require a Shikara to get to and from them. Most houseboats on
the Dal are situated in long straggling rows; some face the
boulevard, Srinagar's exciting address, while others are
situated singly or in groups of two and three.
City Of Lakes
Srinagar's lakes are the reason why the city receives so many
tourists. Not just expanse of water, the lakes are filled with
houseboats, villages, narrow water canals, lotus and vegetable
gardens and houses and shops.
Life on the lakes, as witnessed from the confines of a Shikara,
is unique. It is possible to book a Shikara for the whole day
and sightsee Nishat Garden, Nasim Bagh, Hazratbal Mosque, Pathar
Masjid and Shah Hamdan's Shrine, having a picnic lunch in the
boat.
While Nagin is quieter, the Dal is full of local colour, with
tourists being rowed in Shikara to shops selling every
conceivable handicraft - all within the lake.
Let's Have A Ride Of The Lake!
A Shikara ride is one of the most soothing, relaxing aspects of
a holiday in Kashmir. It can be an hour-long ride to see the
sights of the Dal; a shopping by Shikara expedition to visit
handicraft shops within the periphery of the lake; or a whole
day trip to visit important city landmarks.
Because the Dal is so central to the landscape of Srinagar, many
places of tourist interest have, over the ages, been built in
its vicinity.
The Mughal Gardens
The art of designing formal gardens which the Mughal (also spelt
as Moghul) emperors expended such time and energy upon, reached
its zenith in Kashmir. The Mughal gardens in Agra or Lahore may
be very fine but only in Kashmir is the formal beauty of the
gardens matched by the natural beauty of the surrounding
countryside. The gardens follow a standard pattern with a
central channel carrying water through the descending terraces
in a delightful series of cascades, falls and pools. |