Located in bountiful city Srinagar, Shalimar Bagh beckons nature lovers and tourists from all corners of the globe. The beautiful landscapes and terraces of Shalimar Bagh pay rich tributes to art and architectural heritage of Mughal Period and make it the largest garden in Kashmir.

Magnificence of Shalimar Bagh reminds visitors of the aura and royalty of Mughals and was built by Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife Noor Jahen. This first of its kind Mughal style Hill Garden was laid out in 1619 and served as a retreat and summer residence for the royal families of that period.

Gurgle of fresh water flowing through frothy fountains and small water canals adds a lot of romance to the enchanting ambience of Shalimar Bagh. Rows of bright colored flowers, ornamental plants and shrubs make this garden a preferred sightseeing location for international as well as domestic travelers alike.

The ancient architectural wonders and carefully landscaped terrains of Shalimar gardens is an ideal location for film shootings, long strolls and leisurely moments under shady trees. This garden is distinguished by the presence of a canal which runs across the middle of the garden. It is lined with polished stones which reflect the rays of the sun in their sparkling waters. Shalimar Bagh has four terraces or tiers located at varying levels in the mountain side.

The lowermost terrace is connected to the main roads while the outermost or second level is home to a pavilion and a public garden which is referred to as Hall of Public Audience or the Diwaan-e-Aam. This region of the park is distinguished with a black marble throne which that dates back to Mughal era. The third and final section is marked by two shallow terraces. It also contains a Hall of Private Audience or Diwaan-e-Khas as its central point.

The fourth part of Shalimar Garden was reserved for ladies of royal families. This Zenana Garden has tiny guard rooms at its entrance and was considered as the most beautiful portion of the garden. It is famous for an ornate marble pavilion which stands amidst beautiful fountains and groves of fragrant flowers and shrubs.

This garden lies in front of lush cypress and chinar trees which line snow capped peaks in the background. Tourists visiting Shalimar Gardens are awed by its large variety of floral species and carved stone podiums, which remind them of its great historical past. Shalimar Gardens is all about tree lined pathways, picturesque fountains and rows of floral extravaganza.  The natural bounties of “Farah Bakhsh” or Shalimar Gardens as it is now called, has an air of quietude and solace and sprawls across 31 acres.

Tourists also like to participate in an invigorating sound & light show which takes place every evening in the tourist season—which typically lasts from May to October. The Garden is linked to the beautiful Dal Lake via a small canal which meanders across 1.6 km.

Located at a distance of 15 km from the heart of Srinagar, the landscape of Shalimar Bagh is modeled in accordance to the layout of Chahar Bagh (four gardens). It is divided into four distinct sections with a central water body dominating the layout of the garden. Narrow canals criss-cross the topography of Shalimar Gardens and provide it with a unique character which makes it very different from the other gardens in the city.

About the Place

This region is best known for its snow covered peaks of Karakoram, Zanskar and Pir Panjal. Home to beautiful natural bounties, medicinal springs, scenic valleys and long winding roads, Srinagar lures travelers of all ages and from all walks of life.

Located in the midst of scenic Kashmir Valley, Srinagar is a favored tourist destination. Its invigorating climate, mind boggling tourist attractions, houseboats, flower laden shikaras and temples make it the much loved summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. This city was established by King Pravarasen II and is located beside Jhelum River. Nagin Lake, Anchar Lake and a host of other smaller water bodies set against the backdrop of lush Himalayan Mountains, make Srinagar all the more romantic and captivating.

Shalimar Bagh occupies a pride of place in Srinagar-a beautiful mountain city boasting of the serene Dal Lake, beautiful Mughal gardens, snow capped peaks, historic wooden mosques and never ending rows of quaint shops selling artifacts, saffron, Pashmina shawls and other handicrafts.

Point to Remember

Shalimar Bagh is a reminder of the opulence of Mughal Dynasty. It boasts of thousands of species of plants, flowers and flora which can be best appreciated and understood with help of a guide. These flowers bloom in various seasons and have a short life cycle. Tourists should time their visits in accordance to the flowering seasons to make their trip to Shalimar Bagh all the more worthwhile and memorable.

How to Reach

By Air

Srinagar Airport is well connected to Mumbai, Chandigarh, Delhi and Shimla. Tourists flying in from other countries may reach Srinagar via Delhi. After arriving in Srinagar, they can avail easy transport facilities to visit Shalimar Bagh.

By Rail

The nearest railhead to Srinagar is at Udhampur which is located at a distance of 60km to the north of Jammu. Jammu Tavi railway station is well connected to most important towns and cities of India and is situated at a distance of 293 km from Srinagar. Travelers from Chennai, Trivandrum, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and other important centers can book themselves easy and comfortable train journeys to reach Jammu.

After arriving in Jammu, they can hire a taxi or avail regular bus services to complete the 12 hours journey to Srinagar.

By Bus

Jammu Tavi is well connected to Srinagar by private coaches, regular bus services and a host of taxis. The National Highway 1A links Srinagar to the rest of the country and passes through beautiful mountain terrains, long tunnels and scenic valleys. Srinagar can be accessed from Leh and Kargil in summers.

Entry Fees

The entry fees to Shalimar Bagh are very nominal.

Best Time to Visit

Tourists should book themselves a trip to Kashmir in the spring and autumn months which lasts from February to April and September to October respectively. The garden is in full bloom during this period with chinar trees changing their colors from green to orange and then to brown. These periods are also the best time for outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, boating and biting. The weather is congenial with the snowy peaks shining in all their glory throughout the day.

Trivia

Shalimar Bagh was named “Farah Baksh” by Emperor Jahangir. This abode of love was created for his “Light of the World”-Noor Jahen.

Timing

Shalimar Bagh is open from 9.00 am to 7pm during the peak tourist seasons. It however closes its doors to the public at 5.00 pm in the months of November to March.

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