Jammu &
Kashmir : Srinagar
Srinagar is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in
India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. The city lies on both
banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus River. The city is
famous for its lakes and houseboats floating on them. It is also known
for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. Srinagar is 876
km north of Delhi. The headquarters of the Srinagar District are
situated in the city.
The weather of Srinagar may be generally described as alpine. The city
has mild summers during the months of April-June, and cold winters of
November-February. The city generally gets heavy snowfall from
December to February.
The city is located on both the sides of the river Jhelum, which is
called Vyath in Kashmir. The river passes through the city and
meanders through the valley, moving onward and deepening in the Wular
Lake. The city is famous for its nine old bridges, connecting the two
parts of the city.
 Hokersar
is a wetland situated near Srinagar—the capital of Indian Kashmir.
Thousands of migratory birds come to Hokersar from Siberia and other
regions in the winter season. Migratory birds from Siberia and Central
Asia use wetlands in Kashmir as their transitory camps between
September and October and again around spring. These wetlands play a
vital role in sustaining a large population of wintering, staging and
breeding birds.
Tourism is the most significant segment of the city's economy. The
city of Srinagar is a gateway to some of the most scenic and beautiful
places of the Indian subcontinent. For decades, tourism has been
contributing massively to the economy of the city for last several
decades, but it has been adversely affected on account of insurgent
activities by certain elements.
Dal Lake, going from the Mughal Gardens side back to Srinagar.Srinagar
is well known for its lakes. Dal Lake with its houseboats is famous
all over the world. Srinagar is a small and beautiful city with a
wonderful climate in the summer. Just outside the city are found the
beautiful Shalimar Gardens created by Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, in
1619.
Houseboats were introduced accidentally to Kashmir: members of the
Indian Civil Service serving in the plains who vacationed in Kashmir
were not permitted to build permanent homes because of the then
Maharaja's suspicion of a British presence in Srinagar. They thus
chose to live in houseboats. The first such, named Victory, was
designed by Mr. M.T. Kenhard in 1888. There are now about five hundred
on the Lake.
Srinagar has several gardens which are part of the several such
gardens laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent,
and which are known as Mughal gardens. The Mughal Gardens located in
Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chasma Shahi (the royal
fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the
garden of spring); [[Shalimar Gardens (Jammu and Kashmir)|Shalimar
Bagh; and the Nashim Bagh.
Like the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar too has a distinctive
blend of cultural heritage. Holy places in and around the city depict
the historical cultural and religious diversity of the city as well as
the Kashmir valley.
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