The best reasons to visit Srinagar – natural wonders

India happens to be one of the most well-known vacation spots on the planet at present. If you want to visit India, then make sure to pay a visit to Jammu and Kashmir.  Srinagar is the capital of J & K and is located in the picturesque Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Srinagar river Jhelum. It will not be a bad idea to call Srinagar a paradise on earth. Lots of honeymooners visit Srinagar every year and it is reputed for some fabulous lakes, traditional houseboats, and remarkable Mughal gardens. Srinagar visiting places are many in numbers and one must bear in mind to explore these stunning destinations once they are here.

My arrival in Srinagar

There is no doubt about the fact that the temperature of the city was quite chilly once I reached there along with 2 of my close friends. Here, I like to mention that one can reach Srinagar by train and the railway station here is well connected with various parts of the country. You can hire cabs or state and private government buses from the railway station to get to this wonderful location. Interestingly, I came to Srinagar from Delhi by train and reached my lodge in the early morning by taking a taxi from the station. The hotel was quite spacious and there were other tourists there as well. After eating my breakfast, I along with my buddies ventured out to explore the city.

Gulmarg – full of natural splendor

It is a fact that Gulmarg is the ideal place for all those who like to enjoy the beauty of nature. This particular place of outstanding natural beauty was preferred by Emperor Jahangir. The popularity of this place is enhanced by the presence of the shrine of Baba Reshi who happens to be a reputed Sufi saint. This shrine is visited by a huge number of devotees every year for getting the blessings of this holy person. In a nutshell, it can be rightly asserted that Gulmarg is one of the Srinagar best places that one must not avoid by any means. I found perfect peace of mind by visiting this place and would like to come back once again in the near future.

Staying in a houseboat

Next, I fulfilled my long-awaited dream of staying in a houseboat amongst the pristine waters of the reputed Dal Lake. These houseboats are made from wood and are embellished in a traditional Kashmir style décor. These will provide you with the best way to enjoy the quintessential local lifestyle out there. The surrounding atmosphere totally enchanted me and I cannot describe my feelings in words. The interior decor of the houseboat was absolutely remarkable and I was feeling excited all the time. This provided me with a calming and relaxing experience which made me completely rejuvenated.

We also enjoyed a shikara ride at Dal Lake which was undoubtedly a mind-boggling experience. A shikara is actually a kitschy boat which is decorated with colorful rugs and carpets, thus welcoming tourists to Kashmir. I suggest you enjoy a ride in the evening when the sky will be nevertheless blue and you will be able to spot the reflections of the encircling mountains in the water. This will be one of the best things for you to do in Srinagar while visiting this place.

Hari Parbat Fort

In case you have been to Kashmir Srinagar, then you should not miss this particular destination. The Hari Parbat Fort is located in the northern part of the city center and its origin dates back to the sixth century. It was Emperor Akbar who fortified the hill in the year 1590. You will come across the Sri Sharika Temple within the fort which houses the 18-armed guardian goddess of the city.

It will be a good idea to get to the fort from the northeast instead of from the south. There is a checkpoint at the beginning of the fort access lane and you need to walk for 10 minutes for a second sign-in, and then, you have to walk up the stairs for 15 minutes to the topmost tower of the fort. You will be able to get to the second check post by means of autorickshaws. 

Enjoying some delicious lunch

After visiting so many places, we were feeling somewhat hungry and had no other way but to satisfy our taste buds. For this, we visited the Shamyana Restaurant which is rated as one of the best eateries in Srinagar. Our menu consisted of a Kashmiri delicacy known as Shawarma which happens to be a dish where the meat will be cut into thin slices and then roasted carefully. This meat can be chicken, lamb, or turkey. After having this meal, we again started out to explore the place further.

Nigeen Lake – A must-visit tourist destination

The famous Nigeen Lake is surrounded by spectacular snow-capped mountains and valleys which one should not miss after all. It provides a tranquil and peaceful setting for the visitors which will provide them with an experience of a lifetime. Here, we also indulged in a fascinating shikara ride in Kashmir which I find quite difficult to forget even now. There is also a houseboat accommodation facility on this lake. Although Nigeen Lake is a different Lake, it is often considered to be a portion of the Dal Lake which has been connected by means of a narrow strait. This lake is undoubtedly one of the Srinagar famous places adding to the picturesque and tranquil environment.

Here, I like to mention that even after 4 years of my visit to Srinagar, its memory is still fresh in my mind.