Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar: A Timeless Mughal Garden Overlooking Dal Lake - Prints on Fine Art America

Visitors inside the Shalimar Garden - Prints on Fine Art America

Introduction

Nestled on the northeastern shores of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, Shalimar Bagh stands as a testament to Mughal horticultural prowess and romantic expression. Commissioned in 1619 by Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife, Empress Nur Jahan, this garden, also known as Farah Baksh ("The Delightful"), embodies the essence of Persian garden design adapted to the unique topography of Kashmir.

Historical Background

While the site of Shalimar Bagh has ancient roots, with references to a garden built by King Pravarsena II in the 2nd century, it was Emperor Jahangir who transformed it into the magnificent garden we see today. In 1619, captivated by Kashmir's beauty, Jahangir expanded the existing garden to create a royal retreat for Empress Nur Jahan. Later, in 1630, under Emperor Shah Jahan's reign, the garden was further extended by Governor Zafar Khan and renamed Faiz Baksh ("The Bountiful") .

Architectural Layout

Shalimar Bagh spans approximately 31 acres and is structured into three distinct terraces, each serving a specific purpose:

Diwan-e-Aam (Public Audience Hall): The lowest terrace, accessible to the public, features a black marble throne set against a backdrop of cascading water.

Diwan-e-Khas (Private Audience Hall): The middle terrace, reserved for the emperor's private gatherings, showcases intricate stone pavilions and a central water channel lined with fountains.

Zenana Garden (Ladies' Garden): The uppermost terrace, secluded and serene, was designated for the royal women. It houses the famed black pavilion surrounded by a pool and features niches (chini khanas) that once held oil lamps, illuminating the waterfalls at night .

A central canal, known as the Shah Nahar, flows through the garden, connecting all three terraces and eventually merging with Dal Lake. This waterway, adorned with numerous fountains, enhances the garden's tranquility and reflects the Mughal emphasis on symmetry and aesthetics.

Botanical Highlights

Shalimar Bagh is renowned for its lush greenery and diverse flora. The garden is adorned with majestic chinar trees, known for their vibrant foliage that changes with the seasons. In spring, the garden bursts into a riot of colors with blooming flowers, while autumn paints the landscape in hues of red and gold. The meticulously maintained lawns, flowerbeds, and tree-lined pathways offer visitors a serene environment to relax and rejuvenate.

Cultural Significance

Beyond its architectural and botanical beauty, Shalimar Bagh holds cultural and historical importance. It served as the royal court during the Mughal era, where emperors held court sessions and entertained guests. The garden's design reflects the Mughal philosophy of creating paradise on earth, blending natural beauty with architectural elegance. Today, it stands as a symbol of Kashmir's rich heritage and continues to attract tourists, historians, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Visiting Shalimar Bagh

Location: Northeastern shore of Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Timings: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (timings may vary seasonally).

Entry Fee: A nominal fee is charged for entry; photography is usually permitted without additional charges.

Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are ideal for witnessing the garden's floral beauty and vibrant foliage.

Accessibility: The garden is easily accessible by road and is approximately 15 kilometers from Srinagar city center.

Nearby Attractions

• Nishat Bagh: Another exquisite Mughal garden located nearby, known for its twelve terraces and panoramic views of Dal Lake.

• Chashme Shahi: A smaller Mughal garden famous for its natural spring and terraced lawns.

• Pari Mahal: A historic monument offering a blend of Islamic architecture and breathtaking views of Srinagar.

• Dal Lake: The iconic lake offers shikara rides, houseboat stays, and picturesque views, enhancing the overall experience of visiting Shalimar Bagh.

Bringing Shalimar Bagh Home

If you're captivated by the beauty of Shalimar Bagh and wish to bring a piece of it into your home, consider purchasing prints or merchandise featuring images of the garden. These items, available on platforms like Fine Art America, include wall art, home décor, and accessories that celebrate the garden's timeless elegance.

If you like this image and want a print of this wonderful garden, please buy from my Fine Art America store, and also check out my other images / art.

Glacier down the mountain in Sonmarg - Facebook post

Glacier down the mountain in Sonmarg - Facebook post

The glacier sliding down the slope of a mountain near Sonmarg in Kashmir in North India. This is during the month of April when the ice and snow have started melting and road clearing has started. However, there are many such locations where these rivers of ice exist, they will vanish in another month leaving behind only traces that there was so much ice. Looks beautiful and some of them were used for sledding.

Also available on Facebook at this link.

Beautiful print of the ice and snow of Sonmarg. http://bit.ly/1E4VDKl

Sonamarg is very beautiful, both in winter and summer (although getting here in the depth of winter can be pretty difficult because of the ice covering the roads).

A resort on the outskirts of Rishikesh - Facebook post

A resort on the outskirts of Rishikesh - Facebook post

A resort on the outskirts of Rishikesh, in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. These resorts, with their permanent tents, on concrete bases, make for a confortable stay. During summer, the weather here is more comfortable, and it gets bracing during the onset of winter. Good to go here in a group. Not seen in the photo, but most of these resorts are near the shores of small mountain streams, since that gives the place a great presence and makes it much more attractive for visitors. However, there is a danger that with sudden rains, these shallow streams collect a huge amount of water and overflow quickly.  #Rishikesh
Also there on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/337690339685343/photos/a.340994786021565/1918082821646079/?type=3&theater

Book: The Slow Train To Rishikesh http://amzn.to/2lCMe9C

Cross in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa

Cross in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa

Large weathered cross outside the Bom Jesus Basilica in Goa. This cross is located on a large base, and looks extremely weather beaten, what with the rainy weather. It is fairly large, and is one of the first structures you see when you enter the Gate of the Basilica compound from the parking side.#BomJesus. The Basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and very old, dating back to the 15th and 16th century, construction began in the year 1594 and was consecrated in the year 1605. It is very famous for having the body of the Saint Francis Xavier, the relic being preserved even after so many centuries. Every 10 years, there is a public viewing of the body, an event that draws a larger number of devotees.

Want to enjoy in Goa ? Lonely Planet India (Travel Guide) http://amzn.to/1I9Zirn — in Goa, India.

Taking the sled to the top in Sonmarg - Kashmir

Taking the sled to the top in Sonmarg - Kashmir

Pulling a sled to the top of a rise in Sonamarg in Kashmir. As the ice starts melting in late-March and April, roads leading to Sonmarg can be cleared of the ice and tourists start heading there, the sport of ice sledding starts taking off, on a small scale. Local people get these wooden sleds and invited tourists to take a trip down a small slope on these sleds, and it can be a lot of fun. #Sonmarg 

Beautiful print of the ice and snow of Sonmarg.http://bit.ly/1E4VDKl

Sonamarg is very beautiful, both in winter and summer (although getting here in the depth of winter can be pretty difficult because of the ice covering the roads).

Shanmukha temple in Bangalore

Shanmukha temple in Bangalore

The 6 faced gopuram, part of the Shanmukha temple in Bangalore, on a hillock, next to the NICE road. Located in Rajarajeshwarinagar, next to Best Club premises. There is a medidation center as well, and many different Gaaneshas that you can see. Can climb up as well as a road that takes to the top.#ShanmukhaTemple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Karthikeyan, and also has a beautiful temple for Lord Shiva. The place is beautiful, with a nice breeze at the top. 

Learn more about Bangalore and other areas nearby - Lonely Planet South India & Kerala -https://amzn.to/2B2FloX

A stone mark in Jallianwala Bagh, the firing point

The stone mark in Jallianwala Bagh, marking the spot from where soldiers fired on protesters in 1919

The stone mark in Jallianwala Bagh, marking the spot from where soldiers fired on protesters in 1919. It was one of the most controversial incidents of the Indian struggle for Independence, where a demonstration by people (men and women alike) in a park were fired at by a British Indian army regiment, ordered by a British commander. This firing on unarmed protesters, without any warning, in a park where there were no outlets led to the death of hundreds, the firing only stopped when the armyment ran out of ammunition. #JallianwalaBagh #Dyer 

Book on massacre at Jallianwala Bagh http://amzn.to/1RqPCZ5

People and their activities at a train station early in the morning

Some photos from a railway station. I had recently gone on a trip and the train had a stop at a train station (located in a semi-urban area of India). It was in the winter months, and hence there was a hint of fog, you could see people wearing winter clothes, and in winter there seems to be more sluggishness in movement (could be because of the heaver amount of clothes they wear). I took some photos of people at this time and liked how they turned out. Here are some of those photos.

Elderly sikh man paying a vendor at a railway station for some service tendered
This elderly sikh gentleman was walking along the platform of the station. He had not got down from a train, but seemed to be either waiting for someone, or could be that he would come to the station once in a while as a kind of walk. I could see him making a payment of money to the other person, but did not get a chance to see what the payment was for. The shawl draped over his shoulders gave him a look of dignity, although it is very easy to think of such a person as a loner, even forsaken by his family or not really cared by them. He did have a fair amount of money in his hands, so it seemed that he was fairly well off.

Lady, seemingly burdened by her load, walking off after getting down from a train
This was a lady who had just got down from a train that had recently come to the station. A number of people departed, but she had taken some time to get off - it could be that she was waiting for somebody to come, and that person did not turn up. She finally took her luggage in her own hands and walked off, burdened by the load (although it did not seem too heavy).

Milk vendors doing some kind of work on the utensils between the train tracks

This photo was the most perplexing to me. What was the vendor doing ? He could not be cleaning his milk utensils since there was nothing there to suggest cleaning; there was no source of water, no soap, not even a cloth that could suggest any kind of cleaning operation. Unfortunately he was still doing this when my train departed, and hence I did not get to see him when he left.

Painting inside the Gold Palace resort on the outskirts of Jaipur, showing the Mughal emperor listening to music

Like the previous photo, this photo shows a painting of the Mughal emperor in his court, listening to a musical performance. Many of the Mughal emperors were patrons of the art, and encouraged the performances of music and arts. This painting is inside the Gold Palace resort located on the outskirts of Jaipur.

Painting on the wall inside the Gold Palace Resort near Jaipur, depicting scenes from the Mughals

The Gold Palace resort is a luxury resort on the outskirts of Jaipur, set in a large location. Inside the hotel, you can see these fairly beautiful paintings on the walls of the lobby (next to the coffee shop) depicting scenes from the times of the Mughals (in the painting, you can see a Mughal emperor on his throne).

Decoration that shows a small bridge, doll house and small tree in a restaurant

On the small restaurant that was located midway between Delhi and Jaipur, there was some amount of decoration that shows a small setup, with a small river, bridge, tree, house, etc. It was primarily meant to attract small children but for adults who were also tired as a result of the journey, the attraction was pleasing to the eyes.

Flowers at the Kosi river next to the Corbett National Park in North India

The Kosi river flows at the back of most of the resorts right outside the Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal in North India. You can see a view of a flower at the banks of the river.

Chairs set outside cottages in the Club Mahindra resort in Corbett National Park in North India

This is a photo of the area of the Club Mahindra resort at Corbett National park that is close to the river. The chairs set outside make it very comfortable to catch the sun.

Trees and greenery inside the Club Mahindra resot at Corbett National Park in North India

The area around Corbett National Park in North India has a lot of greenery; so the resorts located nearby also have a lot of greenery. This is the scene inside the Club Mahindra resort just outside the Corbett National Pzrk.

A lady soaking the sun inside the Club Mahindra Resort at Corbett National Park

This is a photo taken in winter, and shows a lady relaxing in a chair, soaking in the sun, inside the Club Mahindra resort, just outside Corbett National Park.

Buildings lining the boundaries of the Jallianwala Bagh memorial in Amritsar

The Jallianwala bagh memorial in the city of Amritsar is located in a fairly crowded area, right next to the Golden Temple. It is in the midst of buildings, which line the garden on all sides.

View of the sandstone memorial at the middle of the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar

The Jallianwala Bagh was the scene of a great massacre in the year 1919, when British troops under the command of their officer, General Dyer, fired on a mass of protesters, chanting for Indian independence. Hundreds of the unarmed protesters died, and more than a thousand were injured. The garden was built in honor of those who died.

The sunflower stands against the blue sky in the Jallianwala Bagh (garden) in Amritsar

A sunflower plant with its flowers against the background of the sky, with a blurred background of buildings as well as the background of the garden.

Photo - Sunlight coming in through the tree cover at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar

Sunlight coming in through the tree cover at the Jallianwala Bagh (Garden) at Amritsar. I really like such photos, where the sunlight makes it way through the leaves of a tree, and you get the rays of light being defined more clearly.

Detailed lookup of the aerial roots of a tree in the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar

Another photo of large aerial roots of a tree in the Jallianwala Bagh garden complex in the Punjabi city of Amritsar. This is a view of the large section of roots.