Kashmir
is like a jewelled crown set on the map of India, Kashmir is a many
faceteddiamond, changing character with the seasons - always
extravagantly beautiful.Three Himalayan ranges, Karakoram, Zanaskar and
Pir Panjal - snow capped,majestic, frame the landscape from northwest to
northeast.
They
are the birthplace of great rivers which flow through the kashmir
valley.RajTaringini the chronology of the Kashmir Kings written by
Kalhana eulogises the beauty of Kashmir as follows:"Kasmira Parvati
Paroksh; Tat Swami ch Maheswara".
Meaning Kashmir is as
beautiful as Goddess Parvati manifest; and its owner is Lord Shiva
Himself" And the Mughal Emperor exclaimed "Gar Bar-ru-e-Zamin
Ast ; Hamin Ast ,Hamin Ast Hamin Asto. Meaning if there is paradise on
this earth : This is it, this is it, this is it.
Srinagar with
is appealing surroundings is rightly called the Pride of the Kashmir
Valley. 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).
According
to a legend which is even in Rajatarangini and Nilmat Purana Kashmir was
once a large lake. Kashyap Rishi had drained off the water making it an
abode. Emperor Ashok introduced Buddhism to kashmir in the 3rd century
BC which was later strengthened by Kanishka. Huns got the control of the
valley in the early 6th century.
The valley regained freedom in
530AD but soon came under the rule of the Ujjain empire. After the
decline of the Vikramaditya the valley had its own rulers. Lalitaditya (
697- 738 AD ) was most famous Hindu ruler who extended his kingdom up to
Bengal in the east, Konkan in the south & Turkistan in the north.
Islam came into kashmir in the 13th & 14th centuries.
Zain-ul-Abedin
(1420 - 70 AD ) was the most famous ruler who came to kashmir when the
Hindu king Sinha Dev reigned there before Tatar invasion. Later Charaks
Haider Shah, son of Zain-ul-Abedin, continued to rule till 1596 AD when
Akbar conquered kashmir. In 1752 AD, kashmir passed on from the feeble
control of the Mughal emperor of the time to Ahmed Shah Abdali of
Afghanistan. The valley was ruled by the Pathans for 67 years.
Attractions
- The Dal Lake
The Dal Lake is a prime tourist
attraction of Srinagar. It is located on the eastern end of the
city. The Dal Lake consists 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.
Tourists coming to this place can enjoy taking a ride on traditional
Kashmiri boats or the Shikaras to explore the intricate maze of
waterways of this lake.
- The Mughal Gardens
The well laid Mughal gardens are
another major attractions of Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir. The
Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh are beautiful gardens located to
the far eastern side of the Dal Lake. One can take a stroll through
these green and attractive gardens and enjoy the beautiful
waterworks within them.
- The Temple of Shankaracharya
The
temple of Shankaracharya is another important place to visit in
Srinagar. Jaluka, the son of emperor Ashoka, built this temple in
the 3rd century BC.
How to reach
- Air
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.
- Rail
Srinagar does not have a railway station and the
nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, which is 305 km from Srinagar.
- Road
Srinagar is well connected by road to important
places like Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (298 km),
Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam.
