THE VISIT TO THE HIDDEN LAKES!! TRAVELLER#1 DAY 1 PART 2

HEY guys, 

Welcome back to part 2 of our journey,

Today we will be going to a few man made gardens (they are pretty famous) and a few things you can shop when you are here.

lets start with the GARDENS.

1) PARI MAHAL

 It is a 17th century Islamic grandeur, with beautiful greenery all over. The arches and steps in this seven storied Mahal are still intact. This was originally used as a library and later as an observatory. Now we can see the full view of Dal Lake and Srinagar city from this Mahal. 

It is better to visit this place during summer LIKE WE DID (DURING MAY TO AUGUST), to see variety of plants with eye-catching flowers. We had to pay Rs. 40/- per head, for entry ticket and Rs. 20/- for the vehicle parking. The steps are bit steep and the path ways are coarsely laid. Only few benches are seen for elders to sit and relax for a while.
It is a lovers’ paradise. 

PICTURES ARE BELOW

2) CHASHMA SHAHI

 

The aesthetic of this Mughal garden will inspire with its artistic plant displays surrounding a tranquil natural spring. 

The Chashma Shahi (Royal Spring) Garden showcases the serene beauty of Mughal designs. Experience nature at its most ornate as you climb the garden’s terraces, which are interspersed with polished walkways, colorful plants and carved water features. The garden was built in 1632 by Ali Mardan, a governor of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, as one of three in the Srinagar area. At just over 1.7 acres (0.7 hectares), Chashma Shahi is the smallest of these gardens. 

However, its attractive features and prime views over Dal Lake make it the most popular.The garden is split into three terraces, with water flowing from the uppermost level to the lowermost via a series of pools and aqueducts, called chadars. As you explore each terrace, admire photogenic flower displays and symmetrical hedges around the water features.Enter the Chashma Shahi Garden through the main gate, which opens onto the lowest terrace. Admire a large pool, decorated with five fountains. A commanding burnt orange wall makes an incredible backdrop for a photograph. 

Follow the source of the water up a flight of stairs to the middle terrace, which features another pool with a single fountain. Climb a final flight of stairs to the top level, where the garden's waters bubble from a natural spring. These waters are said to be rich in minerals and good for your health.The spring is surrounded by a red-walled bardari, a traditional Mughal pavilion. Walk around it to appreciate its simple beauty or enjoy the scenery from this elevated point. Photograph sweeping views of Dal Lake and Srinagar surrounded by the arching Zabarwan Mountains. The Chashma Shahi Garden is located 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of Srinagar, on the way to Harvan. 

Get there via taxi or prearranged tour bus. Visit in the blooming season of May or June to see the gardens at their most colorful. The gardens are open every day except Friday. 

IMAGES ARE BELOW.

3) SHANKARACHARYA MANDIR

 To reach this temple you need to go through high security checking by CRPF and climb a lot of stairs. However the view is breathtaking and entire srinagar is visible from temple since its located on a small hilltop in middle of city. Yeah, please note that no camera or mobile is allowed, so you cant take any photographs.

 Going by the temple history, this was constructed by THE PANDAVAS (from Mahabharata), and is atleast 2000 yrs old (ONE OF THE OLDEST I HAVE VISITED). Had to climb about 150 odd steps, but once we saw the siva idol, we just forgot everything else. It was just amazing. Also, the view of the city from the hill top... you just have to see it to believe IT.

NO PHOTOGRAPHS WERE ALLOWED, but i have got google images for you.

4) MUGHAL GARDEN  ALSO KNOWN AS NISHAT GARDEN

 Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden built on the eastern side of the Dal Lake, close to Srinagar in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the second largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley. It is very well maintained and has a beautiful view of the dal lake. The garden is very photogenic and attracts a lot of young couples and families.

The Nishat Bagh located near Dal lake is a 12 terraced garden filled with flowers and Chinars. It has a beautiful Mughal central water channel with several fountains.Since place is known for beautiful flowers and garden so it must be visited in may to july. With the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, Nishat Bagh is a garden of bliss that commands a magnificent view of the lake beneath the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range that stands far away to the west of the valley. 

The Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan.Even though the layout of Nishat Bagh was based on the basic conceptual model of the Persian gardens, it had to be remodelled to fit the topographic and water source conditions at the site chosen in the Kashmir valley. Today the Nishat garden is one of the historic and popular destination of Srinagar valley. 

entry fee of 20Rs is charged and and about an hour is spent in looking around and enjoying the beauty.

5) SHALIMAR GARDEN

 Located in bountiful city Srinagar, Shalimar Bagh beckons nature lovers and tourists from all corners of the globe. The beautiful landscapes and terraces of Shalimar Bagh pay rich tributes to art and architectural heritage of Mughal Period and make it the largest garden in Kashmir.

Magnificence of Shalimar Bagh reminds visitors of the aura and royalty of Mughals and was built by Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife Noor Jahen. This first of its kind Mughal style Hill Garden was laid out in 1619 and served as a retreat and summer residence for the royal families of that period.Gurgle of fresh water flowing through frothy fountains and small water canals adds a lot of romance to the enchanting ambience of Shalimar Bagh. Rows of bright colored flowers, ornamental plants and shrubs make this garden a preferred sightseeing location for international as well as domestic travelers alike.

The ancient architectural wonders and carefully landscaped terrains of Shalimar gardens is an ideal location for film shootings, long strolls and leisurely moments under shady trees. This garden is distinguished by the presence of a canal which runs across the middle of the garden. It is lined with polished stones which reflect the rays of the sun in their sparkling waters. Shalimar Bagh has four terraces or tiers located at varying levels in the mountain side.The lowermost terrace is connected to the main roads while the outermost or second level is home to a pavilion and a public garden which is referred to as Hall of Public Audience or the Diwaan-e-Aam. This region of the park is distinguished with a black marble throne which that dates back to Mughal era. The third and final section is marked by two shallow terraces. It also contains a Hall of Private Audience or Diwaan-e-Khas as its central point.The fourth part of Shalimar Garden was reserved for ladies of royal families. This Zenana Garden has tiny guard rooms at its entrance and was considered as the most beautiful portion of the garden.

 It is famous for an ornate marble pavilion which stands amidst beautiful fountains and groves of fragrant flowers and shrubs.This garden lies in front of lush cypress and chinar trees which line snow capped peaks in the background. Tourists visiting Shalimar Gardens are awed by its large variety of floral species and carved stone podiums, which remind them of its great historical past. Shalimar Gardens is all about tree lined pathways, picturesque fountains and rows of floral extravaganza.  The natural bounties of “Farah Bakhsh” or Shalimar Gardens as it is now called, has an air of quietude and solace and sprawls across 31 acres. 

 
Shalimar Bagh is open from 9.00 am to 7pm during the peak tourist seasons. It however closes its doors to the public at 5.00 pm in the months of November to March. 

6) FINALLY THERE IS KHEER BHAVANI TEMPLE

The specialty of this temple is the water around temple which indicates any threats over kashmir or India by changing color around temple.  

The historic temple of KHEER BHAWANI at Tullamulla village was built by Maharaja Partap Singh in the year 1912. Later Maharaja Hari Singh renovated it. Surrounded by streams, the place abound in Chinar trees in and around the temple complex within which is a Hexagonal Spring wherein Diety of Goddess Regheneya is decorated and housed in a small white marble temple.

The legend goes that Ravana worshipped Mother Regheneya as Goddess Shyama, who showered Her blessings on his Kingdom. The Goddess thus resided in SHRI LANKA. Later due to Ravans misdeeds, the Goddess cursed him and ordered Hanuman Ji to take her to SATISAR (KASHMIR) the place cut off from the outside by snow clad mountains. The Mother on her vehicle along with 300 Naags was installed at Shadipura. The Mother preferred milk, sugar and all vegetarian forms of offerings.
A Kashmiri Pandit Shri Krishen Joo by name saw a vision in which he was informed by an Angel that he should engage a boat to Shadipura and from there a Serpent would guide him to the pious Spring. He did as he was directed and led by a Serpent reached the Spring where the snake disappeared. It is said that from the Spring, he found a Shloka (verse) describing the Goddess.

The main Spring of Goddess Shri KSHEER BHAWANI JI is an irregular septagonal shape with Apex called PAAD (feet) to the east and the opposite side called SHAER (head). It has an island in the centre where mulberry tree grew. The Idols (murties) which are housed in the temple have been taken out from this very Spring. The water of the Spring changes its colour from time to time. The colours are usually found to be red, light green, lemon yellow, milky white, grey etc.. There is no definite time for its change of colour. A shade of black colour is supposed to be inauspicious. There are bubbles arising out of the water of the spring and forming different shapes and chakras (mystic symbols). The devotees are not supposed to take any non-vegetarian foods before visiting the Holy Shrine.

I am sure you will enjoy the taste of kheer and other eatables that they serve.

After all the sight seeing for the day we were heading towards sonamarg, by 6 in the evening we had reached, with all the memories, it was time to wrap up the day and so this post, stay tunes for tomorrows journey, which is going to get better and adventurous.

stay tunes for more, guys!

take care.