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
 |
| Shikaras & houseboats at Dal lake [Shutter speed: 1/40 sec; F-stop: f/4; ISO: 80; Focal length: 6 mm] |
