Location :
Jammu & Kashmir
STD Code : (91) - 194
GMT : +5:30
Languages : Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu and Ladakhi
Best time to Visit : April to June and September
About Srinagar
The Kashmir Valley attracts travellers to Jammu & Kashmir while
Srinagar keeps them glued to the wonderful valley of Kashmir. The famous
northern Indian hill station, Srinagar occupies a position at an altitude of
1,730 m above sea level. While in Srinagar, shikara ride along the Dal Lake
and leisurely stroll through the Mughal Gardens happen to the favourite
activities of travellers from all over the world. Tourist attractions are
many in Srinagar and there is never a dull time to make a trip to Srinagar.
Apart from exploring tourist attractions in Srinagar, you can also enjoy
wonderful getaways to places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam. And when
it's time to leave, you can also get your hands on some of the most
exquisite items of handicraft.
Climate & Best time to Visit Srinagar
The weather in Srinagar remains pleasant during the summers (April to June)
when temperatures remain around the mid 20's during the day and the city is
bathed in sunshine most of the time. Winter season (November to February)
can be extremely cold with temperatures dipping below the freezing point.
The region experiences heavy snowfall during peak winter months of December
and January. The best time to visit the place is during summers and early
winters.
Major Tourist Attractions in Srinagar
The city of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir has a number of exciting tourist
attractions for you in store. Though Dal Lake is the biggest attraction for
travellers, Srinagar also offers to see other much known tourist
attractions.
Dal Lake
Probably the most talked about tourist attraction in Srinagar is the Dal
Lake, situated just outside the main city. The huge lake houses a number of
other water bodies in its boundaries including the Nagin Lake. Numerous
tourists flock the place to enjoy a ride in the famous 'shikaras' or
houseboats of Dal Lake. A life that is completely different and laid back
from the one that exists just a few miles away at the city, awaits you at
Dal. Do not miss out on buying a souvenir to take back home from one of the
houseboat shops.
Mughal Gardens
The Mughal Gardens spread over the city display the love of Mughals for
beauty and nature. The sprawling gardens are well laid and decorated with
apple orchards, flowering plants and green trees. Chashme Shahi near the
Nehru Park and Nishat Bagh along the Dal are two of the famous ones.
Hazratbal Mosque
A number of mosques are situated throughout Srinagar city, the most
important of them being the Hazratbal Mosque, situated near the Dal. The
mosque is said to house a hair of the Prophet Mohammad which is exhibited in
front of the public on certain auspicious days of the year.
Shankracharya Hill
The Shankracharya Hill is situated in Srinagar city at a height of around
one thousand feet above the sea level, named so after the Shankracharya
temple situated on the hilltop. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ancient temple
is said to date back to 2500 BC. The top of the hill affords a breathtaking
view of the surroundings, thus lending it its share of tourist interest.
Popular Getaways from Srinagar
The getaways from Srinagar are no less exciting than Srinagar itself. You
can plan wonderful side trips to places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam,
located in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Gulmarg
Situated at an altitude of 2730 mts above sea level, Gulmarg is a pleasant
hill town located just 52 km southeast of Srinagar. The hill station is
flocked by tourists throughout the year, being laden with flowering plants g
excellent snow sports opportunities during winters. Other famous attractions
of Gulmarg include the world's highest golf course.
Sonmarg
80 km northeast of Srinagar lies another untouched paradise. Sonmarg,
situated at an altitude of 2740 mts above sea level is set in picturesque
environs, housing several shimmering lakes. The hill slopes are covered with
colorful flowers, lending the place a picturesque ambiance. Breathtaking
views of snow covered Himalayan peaks at an arm's length is enough
captivation to draw visitors besides the added advantages of adventure
sports as trekking and hiking.
Pahalgam
More famous as the base camp for the pilgrimage to the holy cave of
Amarnath, Pahalgam is located 95 Km east of Srinagar in the Liddar valley,
at an altitude of 2130 mts above sea level. Adventure sports activities such
as hiking, trekking and fishing have made the place a favourite among
tourists.
Shikara Ride in Srinagar
Shikara or houseboat ride is a must do in Srinagar. The long ended shikara
boats can be seen all around the lakes carrying tourists back and forth
across various destinations of tourist interest. The most pleasant
experience can be had at the Dal Lake which remains thronged by visitors and
houseboats offering an enchanting experience amidst serene environs.
Popular Shopping Centres in Srinagar
The region is famous for its handicrafts items, especially hand woven silk
fabrics and Kashmiri shawls. Other must buys include cane and bamboo work,
metal crafts, brass and silverware, willow baskets and woolen garments. The
main shopping hubs in Srinagar include Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and Polo
View. Be sure to bargain hard before buying, especially from roadside
vendors. Govt. run shops and emporiums are also located in the main city.
Srinagar Travel (Airport/Railway/Road) Information
By Air : Srinagar airport is located just 14 km from the
main city. A number of airlines operate between Delhi and Srinagar. Flights
are also available to Srinagar from Chandigarh, Amritsar and Jammu. The
frequency of flights increases during the summer season when several flights
in a day are available from Delhi. Flight time between Delhi and Srinagar is
generally around seventy minutes. More information on flight schedule and
timings can be obtained from the official website of Indian Airlines at
http://indian-airlines.nic.in/
By Rail : Jammu is the nearest railhead, connected to
most of the major Indian cities including Delhi, Calcutta, Pune, Mumbai and
Kanyakumari. It takes around ten hours to cover the distance between Delhi
and Srinagar, usually an overnight journey. For online booking and train
timings, refer to the official website of Indian railways at
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
By Road : Srinagar is connected to other parts of the
country through two routes, one via the road from Jammu and the other via
Chandigarh and Amritsar. State transport corporation operates regular buses
between Delhi and Srinagar while privately run Volvo buses are also
available. The tourist reception centre at Srinagar is where all the buses
arrive and depart from. The Dal Lake is situated at a walking distance from
here.
Distance from Srinagar to Major Cities
- Amritsar : 512 Km
- Chandigarh : 646 Km
- Delhi : 876 Km
- Jammu : 293 Km
- Pathankot : 400 Km
- Shimla : 751 Km
