Srinagar District, Jammu and Kashmir :

Srinagar District is situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This district in Jammu and Kashmir gives the detailing landscape of mountains, peaks and valley.

Srinagar District is situated in the centre of Kashmir Valley in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar District has 8 assembly constituencies like Hazratbal Shrine, Zadibal, Eidgah, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Amirakadal, Sonwar and Batmaloo, which are now the tourists’ delight while visiting Srinagar District. The area of the district is 294 Sq. Kms. Srinagar District is famous for its lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. Srinagar is the headquarters of Srinagar district.

Location :

Srinagar District is surrounded by five districts. In the north it is flanked by Kargil District and Ganderbal District in the South by Pulwama District, in the north-west by Budgam District. The capital city of Srinagar is located 1585 meters above sea level. The geographical location of Srinagar district is 34 degree 5 minutes 23 seconds North latitude and 74 degree 47 minutes 24 seconds East longitude.

History :

Srinagar District was once a part of the Maurya Empire, the city was founded by King Pravarasena-II more than 2000 years ago. Ashoka introduced Buddhism in Kashmir valley and the adjoining regions around the city became centers of Buddhism. The Hindu and Buddhist rulers lasted till 14th century after which Kashmir valley and city came under the control of several Muslim Sultans including Mughal Dynasty. Akbar established Mughal rule in the valley and city. When the disintegration of the Mughal Empire set forth in 1707, infiltrations to the valley from the Pathan tribes increased and they ruled over for several decades. In the year 1846 the British East India Company and later the British Government in India established their suzerainty over the Kashmir valley.

Geography :

Srinagar lies between two hills, the Hari Parbat and the Shankaracharya (also known as Takht-i-Suleiman). The city had experienced several natural disasters. Before the nineteenth century, Srinagar had been destroyed and rebuilt six times. Two major fires, in 1892 and 1899, devastated large portions of the city. There have been eleven major earthquakes in the city since the fifteenth century. The city has mild summers during the months April-June and cold winters of November-February. The city generally gets heavy snowfall from December to February. Temperature lies within 29.5 degree centigrade to -1.9 degree centigrade. Best time to visit is the months from April to June. 

Demography :

According to the Population Census in the year 2011, Srinagar district has a population of 1,269,751. This gives it a ranking of 381st in India (out of a total of 640). Srinagar district has a population density of 703 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,820/sq mi). The population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 in Srinagar district was 23.56%. Srinagar district has a sex ratio of 879 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 71.21%.

Administration :

Srinagar District comprises two tehsils or towns viz Srinagar North and Srinagar South, one block (Srinagar), besides 136 Revenue villages. Srinagar Municipal Committee runs the city. The district contributes 2 parliamentary seats-Srinagar city and Badgam.

Economy :

Srinagar District is the main centre of the economy of the Kashmir Valley, and has remained tourist destination for centuries. Significant segment of the economy include handicrafts, weaving of woollen shawls and dress material and woodcarving. Srinagar serves as one of the collecting point from where fruits and handicraft products are taken to several parts of Indian subcontinent. Srinagar also has specialised markets and retail shops. The hinterland of Srinagar is the most populous part of the Kashmir valley, and crops like wheat and paddy are cultivated for local consumption. Orchards produce a number of fruits, particularly apples.

Education :

There are around two hundred and forty two primary schools, one hundred and thirty six middle schools and seventy three higher secondary schools. Mainly there are army and air force schools. Apart from them main well-known schools are D.P.S, J&K Public school and Kendriya Vidyalaya. The education boards in the city are J&K state board, C.B.S.E and ICSE. There are six degree college and five professional colleges in this district.

Culture :

Srinagar District has a distinctive blend of cultural heritage. Holy places in and around the city depict the historical cultural and religious diversity of the city as well as Kashmir valley. Bhand Pather is a form of traditional folk theatre art form of play and dance. The artists depict in a satirical style social evils. Chakri is a form of Kashmiri folk music and is the most popular in the district. Another very well known form of Kashmiri music is Sufiana music. The instruments used in the music include Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Tabla and Wasool. Hafiz Nagma is a form of Dance that is performed to the accompaniment of Sufiana music.

Tourism :

Tourism in Srinagar District offers visits to several ancient places as well as religious sites. Moreover, there are a wide array of lakes and beautiful gardens in Srinagar District that are worth visiting. Srinagar District is known for its amazing beauty and people from all parts of the country come to explore its magnificent beauty. Some of the popular tourism options of Srinagar District are as follows -

Pilgrimage Tourism in Srinagar District :

Hazratbal Shirne: Hazrathalbal Shirne, which is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. This holy shirne is known by several names including Hazratbal, Assar-e-Sharief, madinat-us-Sani and Dargah. The construction of the present marble structure was started by the Muslim Aquaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in the year 1968 and was completed in 1979. The Moi-e-Muqqadas is displayed on various occasions associated with the life of the Prophet and his four holy companions.

Shankaracharya Temple: It is located at 1100 ft above the surface level of the main city on the Shankaracharya hill, also known as Takht-e-Suleiman. The Shiva temple was constructed by Raja Gopadatya in 371 B.C and it is one of the ancient holy sites in Kashmir. Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh, constructed stone stairs up to the temple. The temple is a prominent religious place of the place and is of great archaeological importance. The temple commands a magnificent panoramic view of Srinagar city.

Khanqah-e-Molla: The shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah-e-Moulla is one of the oldest Muslim shrines in Kashmir situated on the bank of Jhelum River in the old city

Jama Masjid: It is one of the oldest and the most spacious of all the mosques in Kashmir, situated in the heart of the city. The foundation of the mosque, an architectural wonder was laid by Sultan Sikander in 1398 A.D. The area of the mosque is really spacious and is enough for over thirty thousand people to offer prayer at a time

Imambara Hassanabad: The 2nd oldest shrine in Jammu and Kashmir is Imambara Hassanabad situated in south west of city centre Lal Chowk. The Imam Bargah is surrounded by world famous Hazratbal shrine on one side, Temple of Mata Sharka Devi and Gurdawara Chatti Padshahi on other side.

Chatti Padshahi: Chatti Padshahi, one of the most important Sikh Gurudwaras in Kashmir. The sixth guru of Sikhism travelled through Kashmir, stopping to preach occasionally. It is situated just outside the southern gate of Hari Parbat fort.

Leisure Tourism in Srinagar District :

Cheshma Shahi and Pari Mahal: Cheshma Shahi or the Royal Spring was laid by Shah Jahan in 1632 A.D. It is 9 km from the city centre and is famous for a spring of refreshment water. Two kilometres uphill from Cheshma Shahi is situated the Pari Mahal, a school of astrology founded by Dara Shikoh. The Cheshma Shahi-Pari Mahal area has been developed into a tourist village.

Nature Tourism in Srinagar District :

Nishat Garden: This garden is situated on the banks of the Dal Lake in the backdrop of the Zabarwan hills; 11 km from the district headquarter of Srinagar. The Garden commands a magnificent view of the lake.

Shalimar Garden: The garden, 15 kms from the city centre, was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife, Nur Jahan. The garden with four terraces is 539 by 182 metres and gets water from Harwan through a canal lined with fountains. The fourth terrace was once reserved for royal ladies.

Dal Lake: The world famous water body described by Sir Walter Lawerence as the 'Lake par-excellence', half a kilometre from the city, is the jewel in the crown of Kashmir eulogised by the poets and hugely praised by the travellers and tourists. The lake of late has unfortunately, considerably shrunk in size causing concern to environmentalists. Two islands, Sona Lank and Ropa Lank, within the lake add to its beauty. Nagin Lake is the loveliest part of the Dal Lake separated by a causeway.

Dachigam National Park: Dachigam National Park is a wildlife sanctuary which is home to the endangered Hangul species of Deer in the country. Dachigam is also the habitat to other wildlife of the state namely Black Bear, Musk Deer, leopards and several migratory birds. There is also a Trout fish farm in Dachigam. It is big natural reserve which requires permissions from the Wildlife Authorities for exploration. The dense forests of Dachigam offer a brilliant view along with a Glacier fed rivulet flowing right through the middle.

There is no dearth of tourist spots in Srinagar District and all these sites attract a large number of tourists from far and wide.