As spring unfurls its canvas, it whispers a tale of renewal and mending. Envision petals unfurling in a symphony of colour, the zephyr composing melodies of serenity, and the bliss of meandering through a tapestry of green. This is the salve our souls seek, the elixir to winter’s melancholy. And where better to witness this revival than in Kashmir? The only ‘heaven on earth’ where the renaissance of spring is not just seen but felt.
Here’s a curated list of Kashmir’s most enchanting gardens, each a pageant of nature’s artistry, that you must visit this spring. Check them out!
1. Chashm-e-Shahi Garden, Srinagar
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Zabarwan range, the Chashm-e-Shahi unfolds like a royal tapestry of nature. Its heart beats with a grand fountain, while a serene pool cradles the lush embrace of greenery. Crafted by the hands of Emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1632, this garden is a testament to Mughal splendour. Visitors bask in the tranquil beauty as the Dal Lake mirrors the sky, adding a sparkle to the already enchanting panorama.
Visiting Hours: 8 AM to 7:15 PM (Monday-Saturday), 2 PM to 9 PM on Sunday
Entry Fee: INR 25
2. Achabal Garden, Anantnag
In the embrace of Anantnag’s splendour lies the Achabal Garden, hailed as ‘The Prince’s Grove’. In the tender embrace of spring, the Chinar trees don a cloak of vibrant green, their leaves unfurling like emerald scrolls. The garden stirs to life, with the Chinar trees standing as sentinels of rejuvenation. A wander through Achabal’s spring is to dance with the very essence of rebirth, where every step is a brushstroke on nature’s canvas of awakening.
Visiting Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM (everyday)
Entry Fee: INR 24
3. Nishat Bagh, Srinagar
Affectionately hailed as the ‘Eden of Joy’, Nishat Bagh, the pride of Kashmir, unfurls as the valley’s second grandest Mughal expanse, only outshone by the famed Shalimar Bagh. A jewel among Srinagar’s attractions, it beckons travelers from afar.
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Cradled on Dal Lake’s tranquil eastern shore, with the majestic Zabarwan Range as its eternal sentinel, this enchanting haven is a sanctuary for the soul. It’s a canvas painted with nature’s finest hues, a paradise where families find joy, lovers weave memories, and all who wander through its blooms are touched by its beauty, leaving with hearts full and spirits soaring.
Visiting Hours: 9 AM - 7 PM
Entry Fee: INR 30
4. Verinag Mughal Garden, Anantnag
Revered as Kashmir’s welcoming embrace, the Verinag Mughal Garden blooms at the Pir-Panjal’s feet, a prelude to the valley’s splendors. Here, venerable Chinar sentinels rise amidst lush glades, their boughs sketching serene tableaus against the sky.
The crystalline cradle of the Jhelum’s journey, Verinag Spring, boasts as the main attraction, embraced by an arcade of architectural wonder. It’s a sanctuary where tranquility reigns, inviting souls to bask in the splendor of nature’s masterpiece. A visit here promises a symphony of scenic delights, a tapestry woven with the threads of serenity and historical charm.
Visiting Hours: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
5. Badamwari Garden, Srinagar
Imagine a place where the whispers of history and the buzz of the present meet under a canopy of blossoms. That’s Badamwari Garden for you, a hidden gem nestled in the embrace of Koh-e-Maran’s slopes. It’s not just a garden; it’s a rendezvous with serenity, where the grand dome stands as a guardian, witnessing the symphony of spring.
When April rolls around, it’s like the garden throws its own almond blossom fest. Picture this: petals dancing in the breeze, the air fragrant with new beginnings, and every corner a snapshot waiting to happen. It’s the kind of place where memories are made, laughter echoes, and every selfie tells a story.
Visiting Hours: 9 AM - 7 PM
Entry Fee: INR 24
6. Botanical Garden, Kokernag
Nestled in the heart of Anantnag’s verdant embrace, the Kokernag Botanical Garden is a living tapestry of nature’s finest specimens. Part of the serene Kokernag health retreat, this horticultural haven boasts a collection of flora that surpasses 100,000 varieties.
From towering trees to delicate roses, from lush shrubs to vibrant bushes, the garden is a symphony of botanical beauty. Amidst its sprawling grounds, one can find meticulously curated flower beds, perennial evergreen shrubs, and the majestic chinars standing tall, like sentinels of the garden’s splendour.
Visiting Hours: 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Entry Fee: INR 24
7. Pari Mahal, Srinagar
Perched atop the majestic Zabarwan range, Pari Mahal, or ‘The Abode of Fairies’, unfolds its seven-tiered wonder, casting a watchful eye over Srinagar’s bustling life and the tranquil waters of Dal Lake. This Mughal masterpiece, a terraced spectacle, whispers tales of regal splendor amidst the clouds in the Indian realm of Jammu and Kashmir.
Visiting Hours: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Entry Fee: INR 24
8. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, cradled on the ranges of Zabarwan, reigns as the largest tulip garden in Asia, its 30 hectares a canvas where over 60 tulip variants dance in a riot of hues.
This garden is not just a chromatic feast but a botanical mosaic, with hyacinths, daffodils, and ranunculus weaving through the tapestry of tulips. Gazing upon Dal Lake, this horticultural jewel, inaugurated ed in 2007, blossoms as a beacon of Kashmir’s dedication to nurturing the seeds of tourism and floriculture.
Visiting Hours: 8 AM - 7 PM
Entry Fee: INR 50 (for Indians), INR 150 (for foreigners)
9. Char Chinar, Srinagar
Char Chinar, a quaint isle nestled in Dal Lake’s embrace, stands as a testament to nature’s artistry, with Chinar trees guarding its realm on all fronts. Known to many as Char Chinari, a nod to its quartet of guardians, and Rupa Lank, this sanctuary was brought to life by Murad Baksh, sibling to the sovereign Aurangzeb. A journey through Dal Lake aboard a shikara unveils the splendour of Char Chinar in its full glory.
Dal Lake, the cradle of three islands, boasts two that are adorned with the Chinar’s whispering leaves.
Visiting Hours: 6 AM - 6 PM
Entry Fee: INR 50
10. Harwan Garden, Srinagar
Harwan Garden, a sprawling oasis of tranquility, lies cradled in Srinagar’s lush lap, a stone’s throw from the historic Dal gate and a mere whisper away from Shalimar Bagh. Its expansive lawns are a verdant canvas, punctuated by the serene flow of a canal, nourished by the hidden waters of a lake. Chinar trees stand sentinel, their leaves whispering secrets of the ages. The canal’s journey bisects the garden, flanked by vibrant flower beds, while the pathways, a network of pristine concrete, invite wanderers to explore archways garlanded with the soft blush of roses.
Visiting Hours: 7 AM - 8 PM
Entry Fee: INR 24
11. Naseem Bagh, Srinagar
In the venerable embrace of Nasim Bagh, the grandeur of ancient Chinar trees unfolds, standing as silent witnesses to the Mughal era’s bygone splendor. A mere eight kilometers from the heart of Srinagar, this garden is a mosaic of nature’s finest works. The Chinars, with their outstretched arms, the serene Dal Lake, and the stoic mountain sentinels in the distance, converge to paint a tableau that lingers in memory long after one’s visit.
Visiting Hours: 9 AM - 7 PM
Entry Fee: free
12. Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu
Bagh-e-Bahu, a verdant sanctuary in Jammu, unfolds its charm along the Tawi River’s gentle currents, adjacent to the historic Bahu Fort. A mere two kilometers from the city’s heartbeat, it’s a short journey from the rhythmic chug of the Jammu Tawi Railway Station and a whisper away from the skies at Jammu Airport.
This garden is a symphony of artistry, with sculptures that tell tales of yore, lakes that mirror the sky, fountains that dance to the wind’s tune, and an aquarium that delves deep beneath the earth.
Holding the title of the nation’s grandest subterranean aquarium, it is a 22-meter-long underwater corridor to a world teeming with 400 aquatic species, culminating in a museum that captures the essence of this aquatic odyssey.
Visiting Hours: 6 AM - 8 PM
Entry Fee: INR 5
So, which of these enchanting gardens will you explore on your next trip to Kashmir? Share your travel plans with us in the comments below!
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