Nishat Bagh – the Garden of Joy and Shalimar Bagh – the Hall of Love
Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh are Mughal gardens built on east and north-east sides of the Dal Lake. Shalimar Bagh is also known by it’s other names – Faiz Baksh and Farah Baksh.
Nishat Bagh is a board of cascaded terraces with Chinar trees at it’s sides and the water source from the foothills of Zabarwan mountains at it’s very center.
True to it’s name – Hall of Love
Gulmarg
The name "Kashmir," in Sanskrit, implies land desiccated from water: "KA" implies Water and SHIMEERA - to desiccate. It is also a mythological belief, that the name Kashmir comes from an Indian Rishi, Kashyap, who came to the rescue of local people suffering from atrocities of a demon called Jalodbhava. The people then, named the valley as "Kashyap-Mar", which later became KashMir.
Srinagar is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir located at convenience in Kashmir Valley, surrounded by Jhelum River and Indus River. It is famous for it’s water bodies which are of ecological significance – Dal Lake and Nagin Lake.
Nagin lake lies at the foot of Zabarwan Mountains -
These water bodies offers an affordable accommodation in the form of House Boats. You could easily find yourself getting lost in the immensely scenic surrounds.
You could also hire small wooden boats – Shikaras to spend time enjoying the picturesque views of the lake -
There are few must visit places on Dal Lake, all covered in a single two hour Shikara Ride which costs anywhere between Rs. 300 – Rs. 700:
The Floating Market – You could buy virtually everything from a pen to carpets to clothes, though these shops can only be visited on a Shikara
Char Chinar Island – small and beautiful man island situated on Dal Lake, has four Chinar (Oriental Plane) trees at it’s corners
Apart from these places, the ride offers some immersing and breathtaking views of mother nature:
Sonmarg
Nishat Baug
Shalimar Baug
Enchanting Beauty amidst Snow Peaks enveloped by Alpine trees – thy name is Sonmarg. This is the base camp of Holy Amarnath Yatra which is organized during July-August each year
En-route Sonmarg
Sindh River
Snow Peaks
Tunnel formed of melting Glacier -
For a view inside the Glacier – hop-on a pony and enjoy the view
A view from the top
Information:
Located at a distance of ~87 KM From Srinagar, approximately 3000 Mt. above the sea level. The journey is filled with spectacular views of Sindh River – the largest tributary to the valley of Kashmir.
Nishat Baug
Shalimar Baug
Gulmarg
