Srinagar was founded more than 2000 years ago, around the 3rd century BC, by King Pravarasena II. It soon became part of the Mauryan Empire, one of the largest empires in India at the time. The ruling Mauryan emperor, Ashoka, a Hindu by birth and Buddhist by persuasion, introduced to Srinagar as well as the rest of the Kashmir Valley, Buddhism. Srinagar is the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats.
The Dal Lake is Srinagar’s most distinctive landmark. This part of the Kashmir Valley and located on the banks of River Jhelum, the beauty of Srinagar lies in its scenic Dal Lake. A hot spot of tourist activities, there cannot be anything more romantic than a shikara (boat) ride on the Dal Lake
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| Shikaras & houseboats at Dal lake [Shutter speed: 1/40 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
The topmost romantic getaway in Srinagar, Dal Lake is a serene place, bounded by beautiful peaks. Not merely a lifeless body of water, the Dal is unique for the communities that have made it their home, from fisherman to Houseboat owners. For these people boat is only mode of travelling.
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| My shikara is between houseboat & shops [Shutter speed: 1/125 sec; F-stop: f/5; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
Known as the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir", the main attraction of Dal Lake is the houseboat cruise. Stretching up to 15 km, the shore of Dal Lake is bounded by Mughal era gardens and floating gardens.
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| Four shikaras... [Shutter speed: 1/400 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 42 mm] |
These have a stunning look during spring and rainy season with flowers blossoming. Dal Lake remains frozen during the winter months and the best time to visit is during April-October. The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres, including its floating gardens.
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| Just Shikaras [Shutter speed: 1/500 sec; F-stop: f/5; ISO: 80; Focal length: 16 mm] |
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| The Houseboats [Shutter speed: 1/200 sec; F-stop: f/2.8; ISO: 160; Focal length: 6 mm] |
The lake looks entirely different at the time of sunset. You can't match the scenery with the one of daytime.
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| Boats & lake [Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec; F-stop: f/8; ISO: 80; Focal length: 16 mm] |
Another distinctive feature of Srinagar is the Mughal Gardens with their terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flowerbeds, overlooking the panorama of the Dal Lake. These gardens i.e., Shalimarh Bagh, Nishat Bagh are wonderful ones among them. I haven't too much knowledge about the flower, so I don't know the individual name of each flowers.
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| A small posy of Pink flowers [Shutter speed: 1/800 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 18 mm] |
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| The Red one [Shutter speed: 1/60 sec; F-stop: f/3.2; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
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| The White Dahlia [Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec; F-stop: f/3.2; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
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| Just clicked... at Shalimarh Bagh [Shutter speed: 1/60 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 200; Focal length: 42 mm] |
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| A bud of Dhalia [Shutter speed: 1/500 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
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| A White Flower [Shutter speed: 1/1000 sec; F-stop: f/4.3; ISO: 80; Focal length: 56 mm] |
A beautiful Mughal garden, drawing lovers from across the world, Shalimar Bagh is known for its exquisite sculptures, designs and architecture. The architecture of these gardens are carrying the tradition of Mughal Art in a very efficient way. The resting places & the fountains are also doing the same.
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| A resting place at Shalimarh Bagh [Shutter speed: 1/250 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
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| Five fountains at Shalimarh Bagh [Shutter speed: 1/400 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 16 mm] |
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| Three rows of fountains at Shalimarh Bagh [Shutter speed: 1/500 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
It is connected to the Dal Lake by a channel. Emperor Jahangir dedicated this park to his wife Nur Jehan and it became their horticulture park. The layout is that of an Islamic garden but its water source, fountains and hilly terrain makes it a pleasant place of visit.
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| A simple design of tree [Shutter speed: 1/125 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 18 mm] |
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| A Spiral Design [Shutter speed: 1/125 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
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| Just buds... [Shutter speed: 1/640 sec; F-stop: f/2.8; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
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, India. It is the second largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley. According to me the entrance of Nishat Bagh looks better than the entrance of Shalimarh Bagh.
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| The entrance of Nishat Bagh [Shutter speed: 1/640 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
Nishat Bagh is a terraced garden, with lavish fountains. The garden ascends from the shore of Lake Dal towards the Himalayan peaks which form a backdrop to the garden.
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| The Fountains at Nishat Bagh [Shutter speed: 1/500 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 7 mm] |
It was used as a pleasure garden by the Mughals and became popular with the British in the nineteenth century, and they were probably responsible for converting the planting design to an 'English public park' style with lawns and bedding plants.
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| The Pink Flower [Shutter speed: 1/640 sec; F-stop: f/4.3; ISO: 80; Focal length: 60 mm] |
Susan Jellicoe wrote that 'Although lacking the nobility of Shalamar, it is splendid in a rather showy way and is perhaps the best demonstration of Mughal skill in choosing and exploiting a site' (p 118 'The Mughal garden' in The Islamic Garden Dumbarton Oaks 1976).
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| The Nishat Bagh [Shutter speed: 1/640 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
Nishat garden is the largest one of the Mughal gardens in Kashmir. It is situated on the banks of the picturesque Dal Lake. Also known as "the garden of bliss", the Nishat gardens have the Zabarwan Mountains forming its backdrop. Asaf Khan, the brother of Nur Jahan, designed the Kashmir Nishat Bagh in 1633 AD.
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| The Yellow Rose [Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec; F-stop: f/4.5; ISO: 80; Focal length: 39 mm] |
Within the garden are ruins of some of the buildings dating back to the Mughal period. One of them is a double story pavilion enclosed on two sides with latticed windows. There is also a small spring behind the garden, known as Gopi Tirth. It is a source of supply of crystal clear water to the garden.
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| Its different... [Shutter speed: 1/320 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
Nishat Bagh of Kashmir, India, offers a splendid view of the Dal Lake as well as the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range. The garden has terraces, each representing a different Zodiac sign. There is also a beautiful water channel flowing right in the middle of the garden.
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| Some Blue Flowers... [Shutter speed: 1/800 sec; F-stop: f/2.8; ISO: 125; Focal length: 6 mm] |
Other attractions of the Nishat garden of Kashmir include its blooming flowerbeds, trees, fountains, etc. You can also take a shikara ride at the Nehru Park from the garden. A famous picnic spot, Nishat Bagh also offers shopping facilities to its visitors. There are a number of shopping stalls situated opposite the garden.
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