Srinagar Houseboats

“Gar Firdaus, Ruhe Zamin Ast, Hamin Asto, Hamin Asto, Hamin Asto!!”
Meaning,
“If there is a heaven on the Earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here.”

This is what Jahangir; the great Mughal Emperor exclaimed when he witnessed the spell binding pulchritude of Srinagar. Nestled in the cradle of the enrapturing Kashmir Valley on the banks of the river Jhelum, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city of the state is certainly the treasure chest of unparalleled natural beauty and the boundless banquet of elegance. A blissful setting, a sylvan landscape, a heavenly composure, an incomparable tranquility and a cuddling stroke of Mother Nature in every facet of its subsistence is the scintillating word picture of Srinagar; the paradise personified in its true sense. When nature was scripting this epic poem, the muses were at their best in this canto called ‘Srinagar’.

Embellished with crystal clear lakes, extensive stretches of sparkling snow, verdant gardens teeming with the alluring spectrum of multihued flowers, tempting odor of fresh apples, widespread dazzling saffron fields, winding roads fringed with towering Chinar trees, cordial weather, and house boats & Shikara rides, Srinagar is a brilliant assemblage of color, radiance, perfume, beauty, adventure, esthetic pleasure and absolute luxury. Boasting of its just right location in the lap of the regal snow crowned Himalayas, Srinagar is indeed a dream come true. Apart from its breathtaking natural beauty, Srinagar is widely reckoned for its traditional Kashmiri handicrafts, saffron, apples, spices and dry fruits. The unequalled assets of Srinagar beckon the tourists from every corner of the globe to come and rejoice in the ‘Promised Land’.

Anyone that comes to this Arcadia falls in love with its captivating and seducing charm. Srinagar, an ancient hub of art and culture and a learning center of Sanskrit today serves as the district headquarters of Srinagar District. UNESCO has even recognized some of its edifices amongst the ‘world heritage sites’.

Etymology: The term ‘Srinagar’ has derived from two Sanskrit words ‘sri’ and ‘nagar’ meaning, the city of wealth and prosperity. As per the legend, a Pandava King named Ashoka established a city named ‘Srinagari’ which later came to be known as Srinagar.