Srinagar is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The city is famous for its lakes and houseboats and is the headquarters of Srinagar district. The geographical coordinates are 34°5′23″N 74°47′24″E. The highest temperature is 37 °C (99 °F) while the lowest is −14 °C (6.8 °F). The word Srinagar is composed of two Sanskrit words Sri, meaning abundance and wealth and Nagar, which means a city. Thus, the word Srinagar means a place of wealth and abundance. Sri is also the name of a goddess Lakshmi of Hindus, who is a symbol of prosperity and wealth.
The City of Lakes, as Srinagar is often called, is located on both the sides of the Vyath river. Vyath is the kashmiri name for Jhelum. Jhelum river passes through the city and moving forward making its way through the Kashmir valley deepens in to the Wular Lake. Srinagar is rich in old bridges and has nine of them connecting the two parts of the city. The city experiences warm summers from June through August, and winters from December-February. City also receives some snowfall from December to February but the snow seldom accumulates for longer periods.
Crops like wheat and Rice are grown fro local consumption in the back country lands of Srinagar. There are beautiful green orchards that produce a number of fruits, particularly apples. Srinagar and the surrounding areas serve as collecting points from where fruits and handicraft products are taken to several parts of the Indian subcontinent. According to the 2001 census Srinagar had a population of 894,940. The languages spoken in Srinagar are Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English.
There are several arts prominent in the city. They are:
The City of Lakes, as Srinagar is often called, is located on both the sides of the Vyath river. Vyath is the kashmiri name for Jhelum. Jhelum river passes through the city and moving forward making its way through the Kashmir valley deepens in to the Wular Lake. Srinagar is rich in old bridges and has nine of them connecting the two parts of the city. The city experiences warm summers from June through August, and winters from December-February. City also receives some snowfall from December to February but the snow seldom accumulates for longer periods. Crops like wheat and Rice are grown fro local consumption in the back country lands of Srinagar. There are beautiful green orchards that produce a number of fruits, particularly apples. Srinagar and the surrounding areas serve as collecting points from where fruits and handicraft products are taken to several parts of the Indian subcontinent. According to the 2001 census Srinagar had a population of 894,940. The languages spoken in Srinagar are Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English. There are several arts prominent in the city. They are:- Bhand Pather-Bhand Pather is a form of traditional folk theater art form of play and dance and is performed by a group of about ten to fifteen artists. These artists depict the social evils in a satirical style accompanied by light music.
- Chakri-Chakri is a major and popular form of Kashmiri folk music.
- Sufiana Music-Sufiana Music is another form of Kashmiri genre of music which is also practiced in the city. The instruments used in the music include Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Tabla, and Wasool.
- Hafiz Nagma-Hafiz Nagma is a form of dance which is performed to the accompaniment of Sufiana music. The dancer is a female while males play different instruments used in Sufiana music.
Dal Lake has potential for adventure sports like canoeing and water skiing. Water trekking is local name for three to four day trip along the Jhelum River to various lakes in a shikara with camping gear. Dachigam National Park 22 km and Pahalgam 95 km from the city are popular destinations for hikers, trekkers and fishers. There is the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in the city where international cricket matches have been played. Sports like football and cricket are also popular among school children.
The beautiful and world famous hill station and skiing resort Gulmarg is just 50 km from the city. The other places worth seeing in Srinagar are:- Hokersar
- Dal Lake
- Shalimar Gardens
- Mughal Gardens
- Chasma Shahi (the royal fountains)
- Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies)
- Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring)
- Shalimar Bagh
- Nashim Bagh
- Tulip Gardens
- Wullar Lake
- Achabal
- Daksum
Holy places of the city include:- Hazratbal Shrine
- Jama Masjid, Srinagar, one of the oldest mosques in Kashmir
- Khanqah Moulla The mosque founded by the sufi saint Hazrat Shah-i-Hamadan
- Kheer bhawani
- Dasgeer Sahib Khanyar,Shrine of Saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani(R.A)
- BulBul Saheb Shrine Of Saint Sheikh Abdul Rahman (R.A)
- Hari Parbat hill hosts shrine of Sufi Saint Sheikh Hamza Makdoom(R.A)
- Zestha
- Shankaracharya temple,on Sulaiman Hill
- Chari Sharief
- Baba Reshi, Tangmarg
- Rozabal Mosque
- Roza Bal
To Know the History of Srinagar Click Here!
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