Mughal Gardens

 

The famous Mughal Gardens lend a regal air to Srinagar. These Gardens were built immaculately by the Mughal Emperors, hence the name “Mughal Gardens”. Picturesque sites were chosen for laying out these Gardens to enhance their beauty. Overlooking the shimmering sheet of the Dal Lake with stately snow capped mountains in the backdrop, rows of fountains with foaming water cascading down carved shafts, mature trees offering generous cool shade, well manicured terraces and  multi hued flowerbeds, these Mughal Gardens give a feeling of being in Heaven.

Poets have celebrated richness of gardens as an important triumph of the arts of peace and beneficial to the eco-system in past and present.

 

"One is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on the earth."

 

Chashmashahi Garden: Chashmashahi or the Royal Spring was built by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD. It is famous for a spring of refreshing digestive mineral water. Architecturally, it is the most charming garden in Srinagar. The Garden is terraced with fountains laid right through the middle.

 

Shalimar Garden: Shalamara (Shalimar) in Sanskrit means: “The Abode of Love”. This Garden was built by Emperor Jehangir for his beloved wife Nur-Jehan. In the Mughal era, luxurious feasts were held in summer evenings. The branches of chinar were hung with thousands of colored lamps and dancers and musicians entertained the guests. The Garden has seven terraces, is 539x182 meters and gets water from Harwan through a canal which is lined with beautiful fountains. The Garden blooms with innumerable varieties of flowers in spring and autumn.

 

Nishat Garden:  Nishat means bliss. Queen Nur-Jehan's brother Asif Khan laid the Garden in 1633 AD. It is situated on the banks of Dal-Lake. This “garden of bliss” commands a magnificent view of the lake. The Garden is terraced with beautiful water channel flowing right in the middle. It has twelve terraces, one for each sign of zodiac.

 

Pari Mahal: (Palace of Fairies): It is yet another masterwork of Mughals. Pari means Fairy and Mahal means palace. Some historians believed that it was earlier called Peer Mahal or Palace of Mystics as it was a seminary for Sufi mystics built by Prince Dara Shikoh. It is built on a spur of the Zabarwan Mountain facing the Dal Lake. It is more of a monument than a garden. The grand structure offers a great panoramic view of Dal Lake.