
In the heart of Kashmir
valley is Srinagar the state Capital, It is situated at an altitude of 1,730 metres above
sea level. No destination is quite so romantic, no setting as enchanting as Srinagar.
Srinagar is a unique city because of its Lakes The Dal, Nagin and Anchar. The Dal is
Kaleidoscope of color with its beautiful Housebouts, its Shikaras with their gay
canopies, Most delitghful and fruitful of experience is to stay on a houseboat.
Each houseboat has anything between two and four bedrooms in it with attached
bathrooms and a common sitting and dining room. The Dal is famous not only for its beauty,
but for its vibrance, because it sustains within its periphery, a life that is unique
anywhere in the world. The Dal is so central to the landscape of Srinagar, many places of
tourist interest have, over the ages, been built in its vicinity. Nishat and Shalimar
gardens as well as Hazaratbal mosque are directly accessible by shikara.
A shikara ride is one of the most soothing, relaxing aspect of a holiday in Kashmir. It
can an hour long ride to see the sights of the Dal, a shopping by shikara expedition
to visit handicraft shops within the periphery of the lake, or a whole day trip to visit
important city landmarks.
Srinagar allure changes with the passing of each season.
Spring, which extends roughly from
March to early May, is when a million blossoms carpet the ground. The weather during this
time can be glorious pleasant at 23Deg. C or chilly and windy at 6Deg C. This is the
season when Srinagar experiences its rains, but showers are brief.
Summer extends from May and until the end
August. Srinagar at this time experiences day temperatures of between 21 to 30 Deg
C. At this time, the whole valley is a mosaic of varying shades of green -rice fields,
meadows, trees and Srinagar with its lakes and waterways is a haven after the scorching
geat of the plains.
The onset of autumn, perhaps
Kashmir's loveliest season, is towards September, when green turns to gold and then to
russet and red. The temperatures can go upto a high of 23Deg C and night
temperatures can dip to 10Deg C by the end of October.
Winter, December through to the
beginning of March is the time when most of the snow fall takes place in
Srinagar. |
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