India /Jammu and Kashmir /Srinagar /Srinagar

Srinagar is the capital of the state which is better known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, Kashmir. Known for its pristine valleys, floating markets on the shimmering Dal Lake, Mughal styled Gardens, holy temples and an array of adventure options, Srinager is one-of-a-kind hill station in India. Enjoy golfing, trekking, skiing and other winter sports on the snowy Himalayan peaks or just laze on the houseboats on Dal Lake, Srinagar is a nonpareil holiday destination. The Shalimar and Nishat gardens are a must visit for nature lovers. The temple of Shankaracharya, built by Ashoka in the 3rd century is apt for the religiously inclined. Summer (April to Sept) temperatures range from a maximum of 33°C to to well below 10°C. Winters (Oct – Mar) see a drop in temperatures going well below 0°C to a maximum of 15°C accompanied with heavy snowfall.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Hill Station

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 190001

STD Code: 194

Info Website: srinagar.nic.in

Best Time to Visit:  April to October.

HistoryEdit

Srinagar dates back to the 3rd century B.C, when it was part of the Mauryan Empire. King Ashoka is known to have introduced Buddhism to this part of the country and thus, Srinagar became an important seat in Buddhism. The city came under the ruling of the Kushans in the 1st century and further fell into the hands of the Huns in the 6th century.Before the city came under the rule of the Mughals in the 14th century, Buddhists and Hindu kings ruled there. Akbar tried to gain control of the city after tricking the then ruler King Yusuf Shah Chuk and was successful in establishing the Mughal Empire in Srinagar along with various parts of the Kashmir valley. After the downfall of Aurangzeb in 1707, the city went under the control of the Pashtun tribes and the Durrani Empire, who ruled here for many decades. In the year 1814 Raja Ranjit Singh conquered the city marking the onset of the Sikh rule in Kashmir. In 1846, the British signed a peace treaty with the Sikhs and established Gulab Singh as the independent ruler of Srinagar. It remained so till independence after which the government of India took Srinagar under its administration.However, Kashmir valley has remained a subject of conflict between India and Pakistan. Various tribes like Pashtun, gained power and tried to capture the city. However, Indian Army was able to restore the city to its ground. A covenant was signed between Hari Singh (then ruler of Srinagar) and Government of India declaring Srinagar to be a part of Indian Republic.

Places to VisitAdd 

Srinagar Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Srinagar Airport is an international airport, named Sheikh ul Alam Airport. This airport is well connected and airlines offer regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. The airport is placed just 15 km away from the center of the city. Srinagar International Airport: 0194 230 3000.

By Train : Jammu is the nearest railway station to Srinagar, which is at a distance of 290 km. Jammu railway station is well connected to all major cities in India by rail. Direct train services are available from Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum. Taxi services are available from Jammu to Srinagar and the fare is about Rs 6,000.

By BUS : Various public and private buses connect Srinagar to neighbouring towns and cities. Buses are available from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu, Leh, Pahalgam, etc. Apart from that taxis to Srinagar are easily available from Jammu which is at a distance of 290 km.

By Taxi : Srinagar is well connected by a road network and national highways. The tourist can reach to Srinagar by taxi. The normal Indian taxi charges of Rupees 8 to 20 will be charged for each km.

By Other : N.A.

Top HotelsAdd

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Al Hamra Retreat ; Behind Shalimar Garden, Pazzalpura Shalimar, Srinagar. ; Ph – 91-11-64557711, 91-9654-780079. ; Facilities – 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Laundry, Parking, Doctor on call

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Al Azrah Lodge ; Rajbagh Srinagar, Srinagar. ; Ph – 91-9910140808 ; Facilities – 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Conference facilities, Laundry, 24-Hour Security, Doctor on call

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Green Acre Hotel ; Rajbagh, Srinagar 190008. ; Ph – 0194 231 3848 ; Facilities – 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security, Lounge, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Hat Trick Restaurant ;  Hat Trick Complex, Near Abdullah Bridge Rajbagh 190008. ; M –  91-194-2451422 ; Food Serve :  Chinese,Italian.

• Lhasa Restaurant ;  Lane 2, Boulevard Road Srinagar 190001. ; M –  91-194-2471438 ; Food Serve :  Multi-Cuisine.

• Old Ahuja’s Punjabi Rasoi ;  Boulevard Road Dallake, Behind Hotel Shahabbas, Srinagar, Boulevard Road, SRINAGAR – 190001 ; M –  9796138061, 9796106400 ; Food Serve :  Vegetarian fast foods.

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Kahwah –  Alpine Ridge Hotel ; Gulmarg, Shrinagar. ; Ph/M –  91 195 4254527 ; Cost –  N.A. ; Famous for – Kahwah is a traditional green tea in Shrinagar.
• Kashmiri Foods. –  Mughal Darbar ; Residency Road, Srinagar Kashmir INDIA. ; Ph/M –  91+0194-2476998, 2483731 ; Cost –  N.A. ; Famous for – Wazwan, Kebab, Rista, Tabakhmaz and kong firni.

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

• Trekking ; Kashmir Treks, Wayil Byepass, Ganderbal Srinagar. ; Cost – N.A. ; Visiting Time –  10.00 am ; Closed Time :  7.00 pm.

Must ShopAdd

• Pashmina shawls, Cashmere shawls. ; Kashmir Shawl Museum ;  1st floor Auquaf Building, Dalgate Shrinagar. ; Ph/M:  91 194 242 4891.
• Spice, Saffron & Walnut. ; Rifco Trading Co. ;  219, Nursing Grah, Balgarden, Srinagar, India. ; Ph/M:  91-194-2452641,91-9419382570.
• Bamboo and Wooden items, Metal works, Papier-mâché items, Embroidered products. ; Badshah Chowk ;  Badshah Chowk in Srinagar ; Ph/M:  N.A.

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

SpaAdd

• Rejuve-The Spa ;  Gupkar Road,Srinagar – 190001. ; Ph/M – 91-194-2501001/2501002 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Ayurveda Therapies, Rejuvenation , Spa Manicure , Spa Pedicure , Sports Massage , Steam Bath , Thai Massage.
• The Khyber Himalayan Spa ;  Gulmarg 193403, Kashmir (J&K), India. ; Ph/M – 91 1954 25466 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Back Massage , Baliness Massage , Bleaching , Body Polish , Body Wrap , Aromatherapy , Ayurvedic Therapy, Fish Therapy, Fruit Therapy.
• Make Over The Beauty Spot ;  1st Floor, Landmark Shopping Mall, Main Chowk, Karan Nagar, Srinagar. ; Ph/M – 9419000223 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Foot Massage , Facial Massage , Head Massage.

FestivalAdd

Navroz festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  March ; Details:  Navroz festival is celebrated by the Shia Muslims in Srinagar amidst feast, frolic and merriment. The festivities are spread over a period of nine days and the festival makes it obligatory for all the Shia Muslims to gather in the mosque to offer prayers. Post the prayer, devotees embrace and greet each other as they visit their relatives and friends to wish them Navroz Mubarak. The feast includes biriyani, kebabs, and Phirni that is served to the guests and everyone in the family.

Ramzan ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  N.A. ; Details:  The month of fasting or Ramzan is another popular festival that is celebrated here with great fanfare. Festivities include praying in the mosques and reading Holy Quran during the day and feasting on scrumptious dishes with family and friends in the evening. The fasting month is concluded with the festivities of Eid Ul Fitr.

Safety / WarningEdit

•  Beware of pickpockets as Srinagar is a major tourist city in India.
•  Beware of fake items, especially the marble souvenirs. If you buy from roadside sellers, most likely the items are fake    and made of chalk instead of marble. Better to buy from reputable shops even though you have to pay more.

HelplineEdit

• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Police : 100

ItineraryEdit

Day-1
10:00 am – Dal Lake ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
1:00 pm – Pir Dastgir Sahib ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm- Shalimar Bagh;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
Day-2
10:00 am – Hari Parbat Hill ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Pari Mahal ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
1:00 pm – Sri Pratap Singh Museum;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
2:00 pm – Botanical Gardens;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
4:00 pm – Nishat Bagh ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day-3
10:00 am – Naqshband Sahib ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
11:00 am – Hazratbal ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
12:00 pm – Shah-e-Hamdan ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
2:00 pm – Charar-e-Sharif ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
3:00 pm – Tomb of the Mother of Zain-ul-Abidin ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Kashmir Government Arts Emporium ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs

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