Facts & Figures:
Area - 103.3 sq.kms.
Altitude - 1730 mts.
Climate - Summer: Max (29.5 C) Min (10.6 C)
Winter: Max (7-3 C) Min (1.9 C)
Rainfall - 529 mm
Languages - Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English
Srinagar - The summer capital of Kashmir stands on the Dal lake and the picturesque Jhelum river. A city of distinctly central Asian flavour, when headed to south from Srinagar, it is always referred to as returning to India. the old city is in the vicinity of Hari Parbat hill and includes the labyrinth of alleyways, mosques and houses that constitute the commercial heart of the city. The more modern part of the city is up the Jhelum river (above its seven bridges), which sweeps through Srinagar. King Pravarasen built the city in the 6th century. Its name has several possible derivations - Suryanagar (the city of Surya, the Sun god), or Srinagar, fortunate or even beautiful city. despite the name, the beauty of Kashmir has never been reflected in that of its main town. This place is a collection of images - a son et lumiere that tells the story of love of the Mughal emperors for this paradise vale, deep green rice fields and river bridges, of gardens in bloom and lakes rimmed by houseboats, at once summer capital of the state, business centre and holiday resort. Every season here offers new vistas to this city of great antiquity. Spring breathes life again into the frozen world and the air is heady with the fragrance of a million flower that blossom on trees, shrubs and creepers. Summer heightens the effect, and autumn is poignant in its colours of warm introspection. Winter brings with it snow, sometimes the Dal lake freezes and beneath a lden sky, raosted cehstnuts turn the atmosphere aromatic with the promise of warmth and comfort. The river Jhelum and Dal and Nagin lakes dominate Srinagar's life and activites. The city is divided into two by the river Jhelum that is crossed by a number of bridges. Here lush wild gardens of lotus and waterlily flowers amidst bustling lanes by the lakeside spread the gardens of Mughals in patterned beauty. The famous Mughal gardens, including the Shalimar Bagh and Nishat bagh are on the far east side of the Dal lake.
Srinagar is a unique city because of its lakes - The Dal, Nagin and Anchar. The river Jhelum flows through the centre of the city. The Dal - Srinagar's largest lake has the most number of houseboats, followed by the Nagin and the Jhemul. as a general rule, houseboats in Dal are of all categories from deluxe to D class, while those in Nagin are largely luxury class and those in Jhelum are economy class. Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhemul 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 lake require a Shikara to get to reach them. This is because most most houseboats on the Dal lake are situated in the long straggling rows with some facing the Boulevard - Srinagar's most exciting address. The location of a houseboat tells nothing about its class, but before checking into one there are few factors which one should consider. A honeymoon couple may choose a houseboat with a few, if any, close neighbours. For them it will be an advantage to stay in the interior of the lake, accessible by a half an hour shikara ride. On the other hand, a family with young children may find themselves better served in an area which overlooks the Boulevard where a crossing takes just five minutes. When houseboat is in a bust area in Dal lake, it is enjoyable to just to sit in the balcony and watch the world row by! Each houseboat has naything between two-four bedrooms with attached bathroomsand a common sitting and dining room.
The charges of houseboat always includes melas and a cetian number of crossings by shikara to and from the houseboat. Houseboats offer far more personlaized services than hotels. On the other hand, fellow guests on the same houseboat tend to interact much more. So houseboats are ideal for a large group of eight or more adults. The Dal lake is famous not only for its beauty but also for its vibrance. It sustains within its periphery. The houseboat and shikara communities have lived for centuries on the Dal lake and so complete is their infrastructure of the lake that they never have to step on the land. A shikara ride is one of the most soothing and relaxing aspects of a holiday in Kashmir. It can take upon an hour to see the sights of Dal lake. Visits to handicraft shops within the periphery of the lake or a whole day trip to visit important city landmarks can be organised on shikara. As Dal lake is very central to the landscape of shrinagar, many places of tourist interest over the ages have been built in its vicinity. Nishat and Shamilar gardens as well as Hazratbal mosque are directly accessible by shikara.
Go to Srinagar Tourist Places
