10

Offbeat Places In Kashmir

Prime Day & Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PMSuggested Duration: 2-3 hours approximatelyTickets: Free EntryNearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station, 22 km awayNearest Airport: Sheikh Ul Alam Airport, 24 km awayNearest Bus Stop: TRC Bus Stop, 10 km awayDal Lake is one of the most iconic and popular places to visit in Srinagar. Also known as the ‘Jewel of Kashmir’, it is famous for its dynamic beauty, houseboats, floating gardens and stunning Himalayan views. Include Dal Lake in your Kashmir packages to enjoy a soothing shikara ride, glide past some floating gardens and admire the traditional wooden houseboats. You will also get to witness the floating market, in which vendors on different shikaras sell fresh produce, snacks, flowers and even handicrafts. You can interact with the locals, and enjoy shopping for some memorable souvenirs.Since Dal Lake is surrounded by the famous Mughal Gardens, you can stop there to enjoy the lush greenery for leisurely strolls. Additionally, there are several places near Dal Lake like Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal Shrine, and Pari Mahal that offer breathtaking views and cultural experiences. To enhance the overall experience of your visit, you can even spend a night at the traditional Dal Lake houseboats

Prime Day and Hours: Monday; Early Morning or Late EveningSuggested Duration: One to two hoursTickets: Free entryNearest Railway Station: Jammu Tawi, 247 kilometres awayNearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport, 13 kilometres awayNearest Bus Stop: Srinagar Bus Stand, 15 kilometres awayDiscover the unparalleled spiritual charm of Kashmir’s oldest Hindu shrine as you visit the iconic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar. One of the top places to visit with Kashmir tour packages, the temple is a popular stopover for many devotees on the Amarnath trek. This Lord Shiva temple lies in the heart of Srinagar city at a height of 1,100 feet on Gopadri Hill.The temple is believed to date to the Mauryan period when it was constructed by Emperor Ashoka’s son. What makes the temple special is that this is where the famous Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya meditated for several days. He is also credited with the construction of the current temple structure in the 9th century CE.After the short trek, one of the top things to do in Srinagar is to admire the incredible ancient architecture and stunning panoramic views. Explore the beautiful premises or meditate away from the city’s bustle at Kashmir’s most revered Hindu pilgrimage shrine.

Opening Hours: 09:00 AM - 07:00 PMPrime Day & Hours: All daysSuggested Duration: 1-2 hours Tickets: Entrance counter Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station, 10 km awayNearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport, 20 km awayNearest Bus stand: Lal Chowk, Srinagar, 8 km awayKnown as the largest tulip garden in Asia, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar. Featuring well-laid-out tulip beds in hues of red, pink, orange and purple, the picturesque garden is a delight for nature lovers. In addition to tulips, you can discover different kinds of flowers such as daffodils, muscaria, hyacinths, roses, iris, and ranunculi here. The garden brings in flocks of tourists during the spring season when it hosts the annual tulip festival. Spread over a terraced garden, more than 60 varieties of tulips can be seen blossoming against the backdrop of the Zabarwan mountain ranges and the Dal Lake. The garden is a photographer’s paradise with millions of tulips brimming with life along the fresh breezes of spring. During the annual festival, you can also witness cultural performances with Kashmiri folk music, traditional dresses and Kashmiri art with Kashmir tour packages.Must-Try Experiences Enjoy photography: Capture the well-laid-out beds of tulips in different colours like red, pink, yellow, orange, and purple for some memorable pictures. Make sure that you visit during the time of sunset, which reflects the most stunning natural scenery with tulips in the backdrop. Watch cultural performances: Watching cultural performances where locals perform on Kashmiri music and dance is one of the popular things to do in Kashmir. This is a great way to admire the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir, showcasing Kashmiri Pashmina shawls, carpets and paper mache art. Marvel at different varieties of tulips: Admire an array of tulip varieties like double bloom tulips, parrot tulips, fringed tulips and single late tulips. Looking at thousands of tulips in different colours, which range from red, yellow, orange and pink, is a feast for the eyes.