Phalgam
This Picturesque valley is situated towards north east of Kashmir Valley 96 Kms from Srinagar city at a height of about 2400mtrs. from the sea level. It is a heavenly blend of Green Forest Mountains and Glacier water River Lidder. With water rafting and trout fishing facilities, visit to this place is a must for every tourist. This place is an angler’s delight and even an amateur can catch a rainbow trout from the rushing streams. The large brown bear is a natural inhabitant of the thick Pine and Cedar forests. One can either pay a day visit or even stay for the night. All type of Hotel accommodation is available here apart from well maintained Tourist Cottages of the state Tourism Development Corporation. From Pahalgam you can also visit Chandanwari and Aru by car or Jeep. For the adventurous tourist trek to Kolahoi Glacier/ Peak is possible via Aru. Camping equipment, ponies and skiing equipment is readily available. Pahalgam is base camp for the pilgrims of the Holy Amarnath Yatra
Sonamarg
This beautiful Valley is situated 85 Kms north of Kashmir at an altitude of 2740 mtrs. Is the gateway to Ladakh. Here tourists can see a snow Glacier even in summer. Three lakes viz Kishensar,Vishensar and Gangabal can be viewed from Nichnai Pass. 20 Kms east of Sonamarg The place has only a few hotels but has a few Cottages of the state Tourism Development Corporation. Generally tourists only go for a day visit here.
Khir Bhawani Temple (Tulamula)
Situated at Tullamula in the Srinagar district, it is an important Hindu Shrine. The temple is associated with the hindu godess, Ragnya Bhagwati. An Annual festival is held here on Jesht Ashtami ( May-June) when Hindus visit the place in large numbers to offer prayers to seek the blessings of the diety. The Historic Temple of Kheer Bhiwani was built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912 & later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. Surrounded by streams, the place abounds
in Chinar trees in-and-around the compound complex within which is a hexagonal Spring the water of which changes colour of its own. Godess Ragyna is decorated in a elegant white Marble Temple in the middle of this spring.. Many people come to Kashmir just to pay a visit to this temple. The whole surrounding here is of peace and tranquility. The legend goes that Lord Rama worshipped Mother Ragyna during her exile had desired Hanuman ji to shift the seat of Mother after the expiry of exile period, who brought it to Shadipora and was latter shifted to present site as per the wish of devine Mother Ragnya conveyed this in a dream to one Pandit Rugnath Gadroo, it is believed.
Old Srinagar City by road or through River Jehlum by Shikara
You can visit the old city by Auto Rickshaw or Taxi. There are 8 Bridges (old & new) over the river. Visiting the old city in a Shikara through River Jehlum is an experience in itself. The beauty of the old city with ancient architecture located on both sides of the river is very satisfying for those interested. There are House Boats and Doongas on both sides of the River.
Apple Gardens and Other Fruits
Apple Orchards are situated all around the valley. However, apple trees full of fruit can be seen only in the autumn season but is a life time experience. Most people know of Apple trees that grow in Kashmir and Himanchal. But only few know about other fruit trees that grow in Kashmir. Among the many the most popular are Pear Tree (Nashpati), Apricot, Walnut, Almond, Mulberry, Grapes etc
Gulmarg
This heavenly Green Meadow is situated at a height of 2730 mtrs. 45 Kms west of Srinagar city. Tourists can have a unique Gandola Ride from here to Kongduri and Apharwat at a height of about 12000 ft. Gulmarg is also a destination for Winter Sports. It has the best kind of Slopes required for Snow Skiing. Gulmarg Club owned and maintained by J&K Tourism Deptt. is located right in the center for the recreation of the tourists. All kind of Hotel accommodation is available here apart from well maintained cottages of the state Tourism Development Corporation. Tourists can have a long Poney Ride at reasonable charges as these are available in plenty. There is commercial center for the refreshments of all kinds
Tulip Gardens
Tulip Gardens of Spain are popular worldwide. But, the only other place you can see the Tulip Gardens of that magnitude is Botanical Gardens Srinagar. IT is just 3 Kms away from our Hotel
Shankaracharya Temple
Just 4 Kms up the hill from Hotel Nehrus, ancient Shankaracharya Temple is situated on an 1100 feet high hill which forms the Back drop of Hotel Nehrus. The Shiva temple, as Kalhana believes, was constructed by Raja Gopadatya in 371 B.C. and, as such, is the oldest shrine in Kashmir, though it is not certain if the temple existed in the same form as it had been built more than two thousands years ago. The first repair of the temple is believed to have been undertaken during the reign of Lalitaditya in the eighth century A.D. According to historian Shivara, King Zain-ul-Abideen conducted second repairs of the temple after it had been damaged in an earthquake. The third time repair was undertaken during the Governorship of Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din when the temple is believed to have been named as Shankaracharya. The temple, besides a prominent Hindu religious place, is of great archaeological importance. The temple commands a magnificient panoramic view of the Srinagar City.
Chashmashahi & Parimahal
Chashmashahi or the Royal spring was laid by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD . It is famous for the spring of refreshing digestive mineral water. The Garden is terraced with fountains laid right through the middle. The Garden is host to multiple kinds of fruit and flower plants. Some massive Chinars are also found there. Pari Mahal is two Kms uphill from Chashma shahi and there was a school of astrology and philosophy based on various religions there. This was built by Dara Shikoh who was killed in war of succession to the Mughal Empire
Avantipora
Situated 29 km from Lal Chowk, the Srinagar City hub, the temple ruins at Avantipur represent some of the finest examples of architecture of this region. Dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, they were built in 9 th century AD by King Avantivarman
Dachigam Resort
Dachigam is a wildlife sanctuary which is home to the endangered HANGUL species of the Deer in the country. dachigam is also host to other wildlife of the state viz Black/ Brown Bear, Musk Deer, leopards and migratory birds. There is a Trout fish farm also in Dachigam. It is big natural reserve which requires permissions from the Wildlife Authorities for excploration. The dense forests of Dachigam offer a brilliant view alongwith a Glacier fed rivulet flowing right through the middle
Holy Amarnath Cave
One of the holy Trinity, Shiva is a living God. the most sacred and the most ancient book of India, the Rigveda evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time. But Shiva, Destroyer, the mendicant, is undefinable : He is a great yogi. Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a Cave in Amarnath. Unkown to them a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the doves pair when they trek the ardous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam.
According to an ancient tale, there was once a Muslim Shepherd named Buta Malik who was given a sack of coal by a sadhu. Upon reaching home he discovered that the sack, in fact, contained Gold. Overjoyed and overcome, Buta Malik rushed back to look for sadhu and thank him. But, on the spot of their meeting discovered a cave, and eventually this became a place of pilgrimage for all believers. To date, a percentage of the donations made by pilgrims are given to the descendents of Malik, and the remaining to trust which manages the shrine.
Ye another legend has it that when Kashyap Rishi drained the Kashmir valley of water the cave and lingam were discovered by Bregeish Rishi who was travelling the Himalays. When people heard of lingam Amarnath being the Shiva’s abode it became the centre of pilgrimage.
Hari Parbhat Shrine
Again a hot favourite of the Local Kashmiri Hindu. The huge holy rock covered in Sindur is representative of Mata Sharika Bhagwati. The temple is situated on the top western side of the hill having Hari Parbhat Fort on top of it.
The Wular Lake
The largest fresh-water lake in Asia is 60 km from Srinagar. Spreading over a 125 km area, the lake, by drawing off excess water from the Jhelum, acts as a natural flood reservoir. Interesting ruins in the centre of the lake are the remains of an island created by King Zain-ul-abidin. With its turbulent water perpetually wind ruffled, its exciting variety of avian life and the sheer beauty of its setting, Wular represents Nature at her most untamed.