Srinagar district is situated in the centre of Kashmir valley, is surrounded by five districts. In the north it is flanked by Kargil, in the South by Pulwama, in the north-west by Budgam. The capital city of Srinagar, is located 1730 m above sea level. The district with a population of around 9,00,000 (1991- census), is spread over an area of 2228 sq km. It comprises three tehsils/ towns viz Srinagar, Ganderbal and Kangan, four blocks (Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kangan and Leh), besides 175 villages. The population density in Srinagar is 401 per sq km.

According to a popular legend which is mentioned in Kalhana's Rajtaringini, Kashmir valley was a vast lake. Kashyap Rishi drained out the water and made it habitable. It is said that originally Yakshas, and Pisachas tribes inhabited the valley at the higher reaches and did not allow the inhabitants of the valley to live in peace. King Ashok brought Buddhism to Kashmir which was strengthened by Kanishka. In 6th century Huns came to rule the valley and Mihirkul was one of the infamous Hun ruler.

According to Sir Aurel Stein the famous interpreter of Kalhana the chronicler of Kashmir the city of Srinagar had big market and mansions made of wood touching the clouds. Hieun-tsang the famous Chinese traveler visited Srinagar and has described it his memoirs. Various capitals were established by the latter kings but ultimately the city of Srinagar was destined to be the capital of Jammu & Kashmir state. These capitals are now found only in ruins or history. Some of the famous capitals are Prvaerpora of Praversen, Prihaspora of Lalitaditya, Jayapida's Jayapora, Avantivarman's Avantipur and cities of Kanishkapura and Juskapura.

During muslim rule Sultan Sadar-ud-din founded Rinchenpur and Ala-ud-din founded Alauddinpura near Hariparbat Hill. Zainul Abideen founded Nowshera as the capital while Akbar founded Naagar Nagar and raised a 28 ft wall around it.

Where to stay?

The Boulevard road is lined with Hotels and Restaurants suiting every budget. the accommodation is available for every budget. Hotels are also available on the other major commercial areas of Srinagar. More information on tariffs the Manager and Tourist reception centre can be contacted at Srinagar. Information bookings and reservations can also be had from the Offices of JKTDC across the country from the location nearest o you.

Holy Places

Hazratbal Shrine: The Hazrathalbal Shrine, which is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. This unmatched reverence is anchored in the love and respect for the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), whose Moi-e-Muqqadas, (the sacred hair) is preserved here. The shrine is known by many names including Hazrathbal, Assar-e-Sharief, madinat-us-Sani, Dargah Sharief and Dargah.Sadiq Khan, laid out a garden here and constructed a palatial building, Ishrat mahal or Pleasure House, in 1623. The construction of the present marble structure was started by the Muslim Aquaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1968 and completed in 1979.The Moi-e-Muqqadas is displayed on various occasions related with the life of the Prophet and his four holy companions.

Shankaracharya Temple: It is located on the Shankaracharya hill, also known as Takht-e-Suleiman. The Shiva temple, as Kalhana believes, was constructed by Raja Gopadatya in 371 BC and as such is the oldest shrine in Kashmir. Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh, constructed stone stairs up to the temple. The temple, besides a prominent religious place of Hindus, is of great archaeological importance. The temple commands a magnificent panoramic view of the Srinagar city.

Khanqah-e-Molla: The shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah-e-Moulla is one of the oldest muslim shrines in Kashmir situated on the bank of the river Jhelum in the old city

Jama Masjid: It is one of the oldest and the most spacious of all the mosques in Kashmir, situated in the heart of the city. The foundation of the mosque, an architectural wonder was laid by Sultan Sikander in 1398 AD. The area of the mosque is 384 ft x 381 ft spacious enough for over thirty thousand people to offer prayers at a time

Khir Bhawani Temple: Situated at Tullamula in the Srinagar district, is an important Hindu shrine. The temple is associated with the Hindu goddess, Ragnya Devi. An annual festival is held here on Jesht Ashtami (May-June) when Hindus visit the place in large numbers to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the deity. In addition, there are umpteen places of religious importance in Srinagar.

Chatti Padshahi: Chatti Padshahi, one of the most important Sikh Gurdwaras in Kashmir. The sixth guru of Sikhs traveled through Kashmir, stopping to preach occasionally. It is situated just outside the southern gate of Hari Parbat fort.

Tourist Places

Cheshma Shahi and Pari Mahal: Cheshma Shahi or the Royal Spring was laid by Shah Jahan in 1632 AD. It is 9 km from the city centre and is famous for a spring of refreshment digestive water. 2 km uphill from Cheshma Shahi is situated the Pari Mahal, a school of astrology founded by Prince Dara Shikoh, Emperor Shah Jahan's eldest son who was killed in the war of succession. The Cheshma Shahi-Pari Mahal area has been developed into a tourist village.

Nishat Garden: Queen Nur Jahan's brother, Asif Khan, laid the Garden in 1633 AD. It is situated on the banks of the Dal Lake in the backdrop of the Zabarwan hills, 11 km from the district headquarter of Srinagar. The Garden commands a magnificent view of the lake.

Shalimar Garden: The Garden, 15 km from the city centre, was built by Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife, Nurjahan. The gardens with four terraces is 539 by 182 m and gets water from Harwan through a canal lined with fountains. The fourth terrace was once reserved for royal ladies.

Dal Lake: The world famous water body, half a kilometers from the city, is the jewel in the crown of Kashmir eulogized by the poets and abundantly praised by the travelers and tourists. The lake of late has unfortunately, considerably shrunk in size causing concern to environmentalists. The lake is 6 km x 3 km divided by causeways into four parts, Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin. Two islands, Sona Lank and Ropa Lank, within the lake add to its beauty. Nagin is the most lovely part of the Dal Lake separated by a causeway.

Sonmarg: Sonamarg, at an altitude of 3000 m, 87 km north-east of Srinagar. The drive to Sonamargh is though yet another spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir, this time in Sindh Valley. The Sindh Valley is the largest tributary of the valley of Kashmir. It is upwards of 90 km long, and valley and deep rock-girt gorge to open grassy meadow land and village-dotted slopes. Sonamarg, which means 'meadow of gold' has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. the Sindth meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer, snow trout can be caught in the main river. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months.

The climate of Sonamarg is very bracing; but the rainfall is frequent though not heavy, except for two or three days at a time in July and August with fine spell in between. From Sonamarg, trekking routes lead to the Himalayan lakes of Vishansar (4084 m), Krishnasar (3810 m) and Gangabal (3658 m). Other lakes in the region are Gadsar, stocked with snowtrout and Satsar, glacier-fed and surrounded by banks of alpine flowers. A close by excursion is to Baltal, 15 km north of Sonamarg. This little valley lies at the foot of the Zojila, only a day's journey away from the sacred cave of Amarnath. Trekkers can also reach the starkly splendid roof-top of the world – Leh, by crossing over the Zojila Pass

Culture

Some of the popular performing traditions of Srinagar are as follows:

a) Bhand Pather: It is a traditional folk theatre style combination of play and dance in a satirical style where social traditions, evils are depicted and performed in various social and cultural functions. Bhand Jashan is performed by a group of 10 to 15 artists in their traditional style accompanied by light music for the entertainment of people.

b) Chakri: It is most popular form of Kashmiri folk music. It has some resemblance with chakra of Uttaranchal state. Normally Garaha, Sarangi, Rabab were the musical instruments used in the past. But now the harmonium too has made its way in its presentation.

c) Sufiana Music: Sofians musiqui came to Kashmir from Iran in the 15th century. Over the years it has established itself as the classical music form of Kashmir and has incorporated a number of Indian Ragas in its body. Hafiz Nagma in fact, used to be part of sofiana music. The instruments used in this form are Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Wasool or Tabala. In Hafiz Nagma a dancer is a female while her accompanists on various instruments are males. Hafiza moves her feet on musical notes. There are only a few families in Kashmir who are practicing this musical form in Kashmir. Ustad Ghulam Mohd. Saznawaz and Ustad Abdul Ghani Namathali are imparting training to their family members and are the practicing artists.

Dachigam Sanctuary

Dachigam lies in Srinagar district and is 20 km from Srinagar city. The nearest airport is 25 km away in Budgam district. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which is 300 km away. Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply on this Highway. It takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountainous road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir valley with country. Selected transport is available from anywhere in Srinagar city with nominal costs to the sanctuary. From there on you have to trudge on foot. Dachigam is home to the endangered Hangul Deer. There is also a Trout fish farm in Dachigam. It is big natural reserve which requires permissions from the Wildlife Authorities for exploration. The dense forests of Dachigam offer a brilliant view along with a Glacier fed rivulet flowing right through the middle.

Flora: There are over fifty species of trees, twenty of shrubs and five hundred species of herbs. The principal tree species are Pinus griffithii, Abies pindrow, Juglans regia, Morus alba, Betula utilis, Salix spp., Populus spp., Prunus armeniaca, Corylus colurna, Quercus robur, Ulmus wallichiana, Aesculus indica, etc. Shrubs include Berberis spp., Desmodium tiliaefolium, Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, Indigofera heterantha etc.

Fauna: There are twenty mammal species which include Hangul, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Langur, Himalayan Marmot, Leopard etc.

Avifauna: There are over 150 species of birds. Some of the notable ones Monal, Koklass, Bearded Vulture, Griffon, Golden Eagle, Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Peregrine Falcon, Black Bulbul, etc.