Srinagar,
the state capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is situated
at an altitude of 1730 meters above sea level. The river
Jhelum flows through a part of the city and the lotus-filled
lakes, the Dal, Nagin and Anchar, make the city unique.
Srinagar's largest lake, the Dal, has the maximum number
of houseboats, a unique feature of Srinagar. These houseboats
are accessible by smaller boats called shikaras. The
most amazing feature of staying in a houseboat is that
you can shop while staying in the boat, as tiny wooded
shops on shikaras carrying vegetables and fruits, flowers,
tailors, doctors, bakers, etc. keep calling. Other places
of interest in Srinagar are the Dal and Nagin lakes,
the Mughal gardens of Shalimar, Nishat Bagh and Chashma
Shahi, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya temple, Hari Parbat
- the list is endless when one includes excursions outside
the city. Nature has blessed the state of Jammu and
Kashmir with rivers, gurgling streams and lakes reflecting
the towering mountains. There are woods of fir and chinar
(maple), meadows of flowers, mustard and saffron, fruit
orchards, gardens and parks, and ancient monuments.
Srinagar is itself a tourist centre and also the take-off
point for excursions to other places of interest.
With luxury hotels and state-of-the-art support facilities,
Srinagar is a popular venue for conferences and conventions.
