SRINAGAR

Srinagar, lying on both sides of the Jhelum river and spanned by eight bridges, is on the edge of the Dal Lake, eight kms long and a little less than four kms wide. A few kilometres out of Srinagar are the Mughal Gardens of Shalimar, Nishat and Chashma Shahi, the like of which exist nowhere else in the world. The Mughal emperors developed Kashmir to escape from the heat and dust of the Indo-Gangetic plains. (When Emperor Akbar lay on his deathbed, his last words were "Kashmir and nothing else"). The name by which Kashmirused to be known in India was Sastra-Silipne, meaning architects and therefore, anyone interested in architecture will discover much to excite him in Kashmir. Characteristic of Kashmir architecture are high pyramid-type roofs and lofty pillars.

There is evidence of the influence of Greek and roman styles. Best known and the most conspicuous of the many fine buildings is the Shankaracharya temple, standing 621 metres above on a hill. It is probable that the temple was first built there by Jalauka, son of Ashoka rebuilt between 250 and 325 BC and the low enclosing wall and plinth remain to this day. The temple superstructure is of a later period, but there is a fine early example of the famous horse shoe arch, again characteristic of this school of architecture. Lalitaditya lived in the eighth century and is generally credited with being the patron of the sophisticated Aryan style of Kashmiri architecture. He is particularly famous for his Marthand temple, although only the ruins largely remains of what must have been the most striking temple in Kashmir. Following these early architectural styles came the Islamic influence and the construction of wooden buildings. The method used was much the same as with bricks by placing logs hirizontally one upon another crosswise in the form of headers and stretchers, a system also used in supporting piers as well as the carved bracjers and a delicate tracery covering windows and balustrades. First of all, Kashmir is a place for lovers who can stay in houseboats, but it is also a haven for sportmen-anglers, hunters, trekkers, golfers and skiers on snow and water.

A few kms from Srinagar is Gulmarg, which means the meadow of flowers. Lying at an altitude 2730 metres, it is tourist attraction both in summer and in winter. Six kms further from Gulmarg is Khilanmarg where are many facilities for skiing. About 100 kms out of Srinagar is Pahalgam, meeting poing of two snowfed rivers, a beauty spot beyoned parallel, overhung by blue forests of pine and fir. Sonamarg, the meadow of gold, lies 80 kms from Srinagar at an altitude of 2720 metres.