Take a walk through the Mughal Gardens
Srinagar's Mughal-era gardens have been well-preserved in all their splendor until this day. A walk in the park, surrounded by brilliant flowers with their scent filling the air, is enough to transport one into a romantic reverie. Set against the backdrop of Dal Lake, the tiered lawns with fountains and vibrant flower beds create a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Mughal Gardens found here are Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi, and Naseem Bagh. All the former three gardens were built on the Persian architectural principle mainly by Emperor Jahangir and his son Shah Jahan. They have their own Charbagh style, which is characterized by a square plan with four evenly divided portions and a center water channel that runs across the space.
Tour the houseboats of Nigeen Lake
Lake Nigeen is a popular tourist attraction located to the east of Srinagar, in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is renowned for its crystal clear waters, which stand in contrast to the often slightly murky Dal Lake, another famous water body in the region. The lake's pristine blue waters are a major draw for tourists.One of the distinctive features of Lake Nigeen is the presence of willow and poplar trees along its margins, enhancing its natural beauty. These trees provide shade and add to the picturesque surroundings, making it a peaceful and serene destination for visitors.Nigeen Lake, with its clear blue waters and lush surroundings, offers a tranquil and scenic setting for tourists looking to experience the natural beauty and charm of Kashmir.
Chashm-e-Shahi
Chashma-e-shahi, which means royal spring and is called after the natural spring that originates here, is one of the most captivating Mughal gardens. The spring, which was discovered by Rupa Bawani, a prominent female saint of Kashmir, is said to have healing capabilities. In 1632 AD, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan directed his governor, Ali Mardan, to construct a garden for his oldest son, Dara Shikoh, around the spring. According to local legend, the water from this spring is so pure that it was drunk by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, and his daughter Indira Gandhi. Chashma-e-shahi may be the smallest of all Mughal gardens of Srinagar, but it is rich with beauty and tranquillity. Its magnificent waterfalls, sculpted fountains, manicured lawns, and vibrant flowers are breathtaking. A visit to Kashmir is not complete without a stop at this lovely garden.
Attend the Tulip festival at Tulip Garden
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Asia's largest Tulip garden, is a seven-tiered garden on the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, some 13 kilometers from Srinagar's city center. The garden was previously known as Siraj Bagh. It was renamed after Indira Gandhi, India's first female Prime Minister, in 2007 and quickly became a popular tourist destination. The seemingly unending green stretch of the Tulip Garden is dotted with 20 lakh flowers, including 40 different species of tulips. The bulbs for these multicolored tulip bulbs came from Amsterdam. Other flowers in the garden include hyacinths, narcissus, roses, ranunculus, and other ornamental plants, in addition to tulips. Visit the garden in March and April to see 2 million tulips blooming at the same time.
Nishat Bagh
Nishat Bagh in Srinagar is the second biggest Mughal garden in Kashmir, and is known as the "Garden of Gladness," "Garden of Bliss," or "Garden of Joy." Nishat Garden is located on the eastern side of the Dal lake, on its banks, with the Zabarwan mountains as a backdrop. Built by Asif Khan, elder brother of Mughal Empress Nur Jehan, in 1633, it is a 12 terraced garden, each representing a zodiac sign, bracketed by many Chinar and Cypress trees adorned with roses, lilies, and other exotic flowers. The Bagh was originally a unique private recreational zone for royals, comprising 46 acres. Roses, geraniums, asters, tall zinnias, and fluffy pink and white cosmos burn brightly in the flowerbeds.
Shalimar Garden
The construction of Shalimar Bagh began in the second century, under the reign of Pravarasena II, who also established the city of Srinagar from AD 79 to AD 139. He had built a cottage at the northeastern corner of Dal Lake and named it Shalimar. Many centuries later, King Zain ul Abidin built a canal and a dam there. In AD 1619, Mughal Emperor Jahangir established the Shalimar garden for his wife Noor Jahan. During his reign, he would frequently travel to Srinagar in the summer to escape Delhi's oppressive heat. As a gift to his bride, Noor Jehan, he chose to create a full-fledged royal garden. In the autumn, the garden's periphery, which is defined by huge Chinars, takes on a golden tint. During the summer, the Persian lilacs are a huge draw. Nishat and Shalimar gardens are also being protected and restored by the JSW Foundation. The local administration is working to have these gardens added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.