Srinagar City Tour - Part 2

Hazratbal Shrine



Entrance Hazratbal Shrine

This shrine is a dargah (i.e. a praying place for the Muslims) to offer prayers to Allah. The shrine has to sections, a praying area for the men and the women.

The shrine has a huge garden for the kids to play, and is located at the banks of the Nigeen Lake. You will find a number of sweet shops outside the dargah.

Intricate Marble Work - Hazratbal Shrine

Distance: 30 minutes from Shalimar Bagh
Entry fee: Free

Nigeen Lake and Koh-e-Maran or Hara Parbat

Nigeen Lake

 Before reaching old Srinagar, you will pass Nigeen Lake. You can stop the car on the bridge to enjoy the beauty of the serendipitous lake. The lake is not as commercialized as Dal Lake and has a serene beauty.

Sunset at Nigeen Lake

After passing Nigeen lake, we passed the Koh-e-maran fort before entering the old city of Srinagar. The fort was constructed by Akbar who planned to make it a capital but it never came through.

Koh-e-Maran or Hara Parbat Fort

The brown colour of the fort, against the sun setting, is indeed a breathtaking view. Sadly, tourists are not allowed to visit the fort, so we could only appreciate its beauty from the outside.

To read more about the Koh-e-Maran Fort click on http://www.thekashmirwalla.com/2012/09/the-hari-parbat-fort/#.VEZTQzFxnIU

Distance: 15-20 minutes from Shalimar Bagh

Old Srinagar City

City Architecture

The old city has almost the same chaotic feel of old Delhi or the bylanes of Mumbai. Old Srinagar city has a dense population of Muslims, and it’s exhibited in the city’s architecture (inspired from the old Mughal culture). Most of the houses and buildings are made of bricks with glass windows. The city literally shines during the day.

Distance: 15 minutes from Koh-e-Maran Fort

Jama Masjid

Door Leading to the Jama Masjid

 

 

History of Jama Masjid

The Jama Masjid stands tall in the chaotic juncture of the old Srinagar city. It can occupy more than 5000 worshipers.

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 











As you enter the first gate of the Masjid, you will see a huge prayer room with almost a 1000 carpets.
 


The Prayer Room

As you enter the second gate, you will see a huge fountain in the middle of a huge garden. This fountain is used for wazu (a practice of washing hands and legs before praying).  
 


Fountain for Wazu

Architectural Beauty

 

 

                                               

 
Distance: 10 minutes after entering Old Srinagar

Srinagar city tour is conducted in a circular circuit. At the end of the day, it leaves you with a distinct taste of the culture, history and diversity of the city. Below are few tips/recommendations while taking this tour:
 

·     If you are visiting Shankaracharya Temple, Chasme Shahi, Botanical Gardens, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh during tourist season, be ready for a lot of rowdy and stupid (yes, I called them STUPID!) people.

·        Do not take this tour on a Friday as it is an important day for prayers for the Muslims. You will be stuck in a traffic jam and also it is almost impossible to enter Hazratbal Shrine and Jama Masjid.

·        Carry a scarf/handkerchief if you are going to visit a religious place.

·        Do not miss the fresh fruit stalls outside tourist attractions.

·        Ditch the tourist season. The best time to visit Kashmir is in the months of April, October and November.

Cost for Transport:

Rs. 2000/- for a small car (Indica)

Rs. 2500/- for a big car (Innova, Sumo)