Famous Gardens in Kashmir

Gardens in Kashmir are a major part of sightseeing tours in Jammu and Kashmir. The beautiful Srinagar is dotted with several pretty gardens which add to the beauty of Kashmir and attracts thousands of tourists globally every year. The apt time to visit the gardens is between March and April when the flowers are in full bloom and offers an incredible view to capture on camera. Have a look at some of the exotic gardens to visit during your Kashmir tour-

1. Nishat Garden
2. Shalimar Garden
3. Harwan Garden
4. Nasim Bagh
5. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tuilip Garden
6. Pari Mahal
7. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden
8. Chashm-e-Shahi

1. Nishat Garden

Nishat Garden is on the eastern side of the serene Dal lake and is located against the backdrop of the mesmerizing Zabarwan mountains. Labelled as the Garden of Bliss, it is the second-largest Mughal Garden in Kashmir after Shalimar Bagh. The architecture of this garden is highly influenced by Persian architecture and has a pretty water channel flowing through the middle which adds charm to the beauty of Nishat Garden. The garden is renowned for its 12 terraces which are beautifully decorated with vibrant flowers- roses and lilies.

Entry Fee- INR 10

Visiting Hours- 9 am to 7 pm

2. Shalimar Garden

The gorgeous Shalimar Garden is set on the shores of the serene dal lake. Encircled by the pretty tall trees of Chinar and vibrant flowers this garden boasts a beautifully designed canal which runs through the centre of the garden. The garden is the largest Mughal Garden in Kashmir and is one of the most visited gardens in Kashmir valley. This garden is spread over an area of 31 acres. Shalimar Garden is labelled as the house of love. The key highlight here is the ChiniKhanas. There are three terraces each serving a unique purpose.

Best time to visit- May to October

Visiting Time- 10 am to 6 pm

3. Harwan Garden

The beautiful Harwan Garden is located in the small village of Harwan just 15kms from Srinagar. This serene garden is set against the backdrop of gorgeous mountains and houses vibrant flowerbeds, tall chinar trees, and pretty lawns. It is also a major picnic spot and one of the loved destinations to visit in Srinagar. There is a beautiful canal, fed from a  pristine lake just behind the garden that passes through the centre of the garden. Harwan garden is also considered the getaway to the famous Dachigam wildlife sanctuary. It is also the base point for trekkers going to the Mahadev Mountain peak.

4. Nasim Bagh

The serene Nasim Bagh is located on the western shore of Dal lake and is believed to be the oldest Mughal garden in Kashmir. This garden is loved for its beautiful Chinar trees. Set your camps inside this garden and spend some time walking around the garden while witnessing the natural beauty of Nasim Bagh. It is mandatory to take permission for camping inside from the Tourist Reception centre located at Rajbagh, Srinagar.

5. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tuilip Garden

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest in Asia and is one of the most visited places in Srinagar. This garden is nestled at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountains. It is a seven-terraced garden which is renowned for its 48 varieties of beautiful Tulip flowers. One can even find the other flowers- daffodils, hyacinths, roses, narcissus and other ornamental flowers too. Make sure to visit this exotic garden during the spring season when the Tulip festival is celebrated.

The best time to visit- is April month when the tulips are in full bloom and the annual Tulip Festival is held.

Entry fee- INR 50 for adults and INR 25 for children

Visiting Timings- 9 am to 7 pm

6. Pari Mahal

The beautifully designed Pari Mahal is located in the Zabarwan mountain and is one of the top tourist places to visit in Srinagar. The Pari Mahal was once the resident of Dara Shikoh, the Mughal Prince in the 1600s. Witness the seven terraced garden which houses vibrant flowers, trees and shrubs which truly is worthy of praise. At night time the Pari Mahal gleams with light and its reflection can be seen on the pristine Dal Lake. Make sure to carry an identity proof to visit Pari Mahla as one can be asked for.

Best time to visit- April to October

7. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden

The exotic Jawarharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical garden has several beautiful gardens inside apart from waterfalls. This garden also has a pristine lake that is covering 17 acres of land. Enjoy the beauty of this lake by riding the paddle boats available here. There are over 1.5 lakhs ornamental plants which is truly a sight to behold.

8. Chashm-e-Shahi

Renowned for its natural spring, Chashme Shahi Garden is part of the Mughal Gardens and is one of the most visited places in Srinagar. The natural spring here is believed to have medicinal properties and thus is visited by the visitors who visit this garden for this spring. The major highlight of this natural spring is that even during the peak season the water from the spring is always cold.  This fantabulous garden is a three-terraced garden through which the water of the spring flows. The architecture of this garden is influenced by the Persian/Iranian influence.

Best time to visit- April to October

Visiting Time- 10 am to 6 pm