Srinagar (سری نگر, شرینگر)

Srinagar (13 November, 2004)


Srinagar (Kashmiri: سری نگر, Urdu: شرینگر) is the capital of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. Located on the northern part of India, Srinagar covers 294 sq km and has a population of 1.3 million people (2015 estimate). The city is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum.

Having visited Srinagarm, I regard it as a mediaval city that dropped out of a storybook. A place that has been left behind by time. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year.

Map of Srinagar

Sights in Srinagar

Tim in Srinagar, Kashmir (13 November, 2004)


A street in Srinagar (13 November, 2004)


Two boys crossing Dal Lake in a canoe. (12 November, 2004)


Kashmir has a turbulent history, with Srinagar in the midst of it all. Everywhere we went, we saw soldiers with machine guns. Coming in from the airport, we passed through several checkpoints, and even before we could board the plane, our luggage underwent several checks.

The city was founded by Pravarasena-II, and Hiuen Tsang, who visited Kashmir in 631 AD, found it at the same site as it is today. The most famous ruler of Kashmir was Laltaditya Muktapida during the Hindu period, which ended in 1339 AD. King Zain-ul-Abidin (1420-70 AD), popularly known as "Budshah", was a great patron of Sanskrit. Akbar captured Kashmir valley for the Mughals, who endowed Srinagar with beautiful mosques and gardens.

The mosque in Srinagar (13 November, 2004)


The Sikhs overthrew the last Muslim ruler in the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819. In 1846 the Dogras secured the sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar, and in 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar as its capital, became part of the Indian Union.

Getting there

It is strongly encouraged that you use a travel agent to plan your visit to Srinagar. Srinagar is not yet fully open to free independent travellers. There are regular flights by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Deccan, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, Go Air and Jet Lite between Delhi and Srinagar. The fare is approximately Rs 2500 per way. Security is tight for all flights to and from Srinagar, with your luggage being check and re-checked - you may even be called to identify them on the tarmac. At the airport itself, if you travelling in a group, be sure to provide a list of participants along with their passport numbers and expiry dates. On returning to the airport, you may not be allow to the terminal building without a ready ticket in hand.

Young girls in Srinagar (13 November, 2004)


A young boy on the street of Srinagar (13 November, 2004)

Getting Around

Srinagar is served by a battalion of auto-rickshaws that can take you around easily. Always negotiate the price before stepping on board, or else prevent that you know the way.

Another Srinagar street scene (7 November 2004)

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