At Pandrethan , nearly 8 kilometers from Srinagar, Ashoka the Empreror founded the Srinagar city in 3rd Century BC as recorded in the Rajtarangni of Kalhana. Until 630 AD Srinagar remained the capital city of Kashmir when Parvarasana II established the new city called Parvarapura near Kohi-i-Maran (Hariparbat hill) - the present city which later came to be called as Srinagri. The present city of Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir State situated at an altitude of 1590 mtrs (5209 ft) having latitude 23-04' North and longitude 74-48' East.
With its almost medieval charm the city of Srinagar has sights, smells and sounds to enchant the most jaded traveller. Its typical roads and bustling bazars are a photographer's delight. A Mughal fort, developed to its full size in the late 18th century by an Afghan governor named Atta mohammed Khan around and atop Kohi-i-Maran dominates the city. The low wall enclosing the upper part of the hill was constructed by Emperor Akbar. Sprawling from the southward from the base of the Hill, the old city is the nerve centrer of Srinagar. In Persian chronicles, it is called "Shehr-e-Khas" or Main City of Kashmir. Srinagar has long been Kashmir's most important commercial town. Boats have been a primary means of conveyance in the past. On the banks of river Jehlum, an arterial waterway, the city is formed over a dozen of bridges which span the River and include Zero bridge, Abdullah bridge, Amira kadal, Budshah kadal, Habba kadal, Fateh kadal, Zaina Kadal, Ali kadal,Nawa kadal & Safa kadal. Old brick buildings line the banks with distinctive look.
Srinagar is a unique city with breathtaking physical environment, lakes, mughal gardens, springs, golf course, hills & mountains,cycling tracks, trekking opportunities, angling ,water sports, indoor sports, world class hotels and an international conference centre, restaurants, traditional and continental foods. Besides, it is endowed with spiritual places , exquisite arts and crafts and rich heritage. Neolithic age ruins (Burzhama site) & Budhist era ruins ( Harwan) are an archeologist's delight.
Sightseeing in Srinagar is commonly done by bus or taxi. Another way of seeing the city, especially the lake
area, is by shikara. It is particularly pleasant to row over the waters of the Dal Lake to visit the Mughal Gardens and other lakeside sites, including the famous Hazratbal mosque.
The well-known sights in the city are ShankaracharyaTemple atop the hill called Takht-e-Suleiman, a 5 km climb from Nehru Park on a metalled road. The prominent spiritual places include: shrines of Makhdoorn Sahib, Dastgieer Sahib, Shah i Hamdan, Naqashband sahib, Harzratbal Mosque, Jama Masjid, Immam Baba Zadibal & Hassanabad, Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi,Sharika Temple atop Hariparbat, Raghunath Temple, All Saints Church & Holy Family Church. Besides, Badh Shah's Tomb , a Royal Mosoleum & Graveyard,(Mazar e Salatain), Christian Cemetery (Sheikh Bagh), Aaraam Gah, a Zoroastrian cemetery (Badam i Bagh) & Malakhah Graveyard are prominent cemetries. SPS Museum Lal Mandi has excellent collection.
Accomodation:
Sirnagar has a wide variety of accomodation, including deluxe hotels, guest houses and houseboats. J&K Tourism Department Corporation (JKTDC) runs a number of self-contained alpine cottages and bungalows in Srinagar, Pahalgam & Gulmarg.
Clothing:
While the summer (June-August) temperatures of Srinagar are between 20 deg and 30 deg C, temperatures in the hill resorts are considerably lower. In the evening, light woolens are required for Gulmarg,Phalagam & Sonamarg, but not for Srinagar, Spring (March-May) and Autumn (October-November) are cold. With minimum temperatures pluging down to 7 deg C, woolens are necessary. During Winter (December-Feburary), most places are below freezing point and temperatures sometimes reach minus 10 deg C in Srinagar and heavy woolens are required.
