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Srinagar


India City: Srinagar

Population : 725,000
Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and English
Best time for visit : April-June
STD Code : 0194

Srinagar is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is the pride of the beautiful valley of Kashmir . Srinagar is famous for its lakes and the charming rows of houseboats floating on them. It is also known for traditional Kashmir i handicrafts and dry fruits.

Srinagar is located in the western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir , India. It is located in the Kashmir valley. River Jhelum passes through Srinagar city. Srinagar is 876 km north of Delhi .

In Srinagar, summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). Srinagar experiences heavy snowfall in December-February.

The valley of Kashmir , in which Srinagar is located, is also referred to as being a heaven on earth. The Mughal emperor Jahangir was so captivated by the beauty of this valley that he exclaimed Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto (If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here). There are a number of tourist places in and around Srinagar.

The Dal Lake is an important tourist attraction of Srinagar. It is located on the eastern end of the city. The Dal Lake comprises of a series of lakes, including the Nagin Lake some 8 km from the city center. One can enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Srinagar from this lake. Travelers can enjoy taking a ride on traditional Kashmiri boats or the Shikaras to explore the intricate maze of waterways of this lake.

The other major attractions of Srinagar city are the well laid out Mughal styled gardens, the Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh. These are beautiful gardens located to the far eastern side of the Dal Lake.The temple of Shankaracharya is another important place to visit in Srinagar. Jaluka, the son of emperor Ashoka, built it in the 3rd century bc.

There are number of interesting places to visit near Srinagar. Most of these places are located amongst picturesque settings of the mighty Himalayas. Apart from natural beauty, they offer a number of adventure activities to the traveler.

Gulmarg is 52 km southeast of Srinagar and is located at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level. In summers, the meadows of Gulmarg are laden with flowers. In winters, the snow-covered slopes of Gulmarg turn into a skiing resort, which attracts the traveler seeking adventure and thrill. It is a popular trekking destination and boasts of the world's highest golf course.

Sonamarg is 80 km northeast of Srinagar and is located at an altitude of 2740 m. It is set in a valley amongst glaciers and placid lakes. The flower-laden meadows, panoramic view of the lofty snow-covered Himalayan peaks, and a number of trekking and hiking trails have made Sonamarg a popular tourist destination.

Pahalgam is 95 km east of Srinagar and is located in the quiet Liddar valley, at a height of 2130 m. It provides an ideal setting for activities like hiking, trekking and fishing. It is also the starting point of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath.

Srinagar is well connected by air with Delhi . There is a daily flight to Delhi via Jammu by Indian airlines. There are weekly flights operated by Indian Airlines for Leh from Srinagar. Srinagar does not have a railway station and the nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, which is 305 km from Srinagar. However, it is well connected by road to important places like Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (298 km), Leh , Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam . The main bus station is at Lal Chowk, which is the city center. Travelers can use auto-rickshaws and mini-buses to move around the city.