{"id":418,"date":"2022-09-18T07:10:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-18T07:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ideaweb.me\/blog\/?p=418"},"modified":"2022-10-02T12:45:17","modified_gmt":"2022-10-02T12:45:17","slug":"my-solo-trip-to-kashmir-part-2-the-mughal-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ideaweb.me\/blog\/my-solo-trip-to-kashmir-part-2-the-mughal-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"My Solo Trip To Kashmir (Part 2) – The Mughal Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The sightseeing tour took me to the iconic and gorgeous Mughal gardens – the famous Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh. Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, these gardens look absolutely enthralling with a vast variety of the most vibrant coloured flowers, sky-high chinar trees, amazing fragrances and the mesmerizing Zabarwan hills forming the backdrop. It\u2019s just surreal. I really had to cross-check multiple times, if I had my camera filters turned on. Nopes. Maybe the concept of filters originated from Kashmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    During my last visit to Delhi, I spent half a day at Humayun’s Tomb. I\u2019m not an architectural\/ history fan girl but was really fascinated with Mughal heritage and landscaping. Seeing me reading (and not posing), one of the security guards approached me very enthusiastically and gave me the best-guided tour ever. Remembering this and connecting the dots made me smile. This is exactly how I fancied travelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Humayun’s Tomb<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
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      Charbagh<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      For those interested (and for my own future reference), here\u2019s a brief digest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Mughal gardens are heavily influenced by medieval Islamic gardens and are considered to be a reminder of paradise. The root word for Paradise, pairida\u0113za<\/em> (in Persian) means \u201cwalled garden\u201d. The concept of a planned garden, known as the Charbagh<\/strong>, was introduced in Asia by the Mughal Emperor Babur. It\u2019s a layout of quadrilateral gardens which are divided into four parts by flowing water and pathways. They have high walled-off enclosures, are very private, and encompass flowing water streams, pools, vibrant aromatic flowers, fruit trees etc. Mughals loved symbols and used them heavily in their gardens. I was told that numbers eight and nine were particularly considered auspicious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Shalimar Bagh is built on 3 terraces,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • \u201cDiwan-e-Aam\u201d –  public audience hall, <\/li>
      • \u201cDiwane-e-Khas\u201d- private audience hall, and<\/li>
      • \u201cZenana terrace\u201d – for the harem ladies. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        The central water channel, known as the Shah Nahar, is the main axis of the garden and connects to the mighty Dal lake. This garden is known for Chini Khanas<\/strong> – arched niches behind garden waterfalls. In the past, these chini\u2019s were lit up with oil lamps at night which gave the garden a fairy tale feel. Now, they are replaced with bright coloured flower pots. It was built by Mughal emperor Jahangir to please his favourite queen \u201cNoor Jahan\u201d and is aptly called the \u201cCrown of Srinagar\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Shah Nahar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
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          Nishat Bagh is a UNESCO world heritage site that has been termed the Garden of Bliss and floating gardens and is the second-largest Mughal Garden in Kashmir valley. It was designed and built by Asif Khan, empress Nur Jahan\u2019s elder brother in 1633. It is built in 12 terraces representing 12 signs of the zodiac and is adorned with flowers, fountains, cypress and chinar trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The gardens in Kashmir are just exceptionally beautiful and are nothing like I\u2019ve ever seen. Unlike any other Mughal architectural sites, the gardens here were created, well,  just as gardens, and not to accompany a tomb. The mountainous topography also gave rise to the terraced garden design style. It feels as if Kashmir was the ultimate gardening playground of the Mughal Emperors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The gardens, though filled with tourists, were spacious enough for everyone to enjoy some quiet alone time. I picked a corner spot. It was so peaceful yet deserted that it made me feel a bit afraid. After all, it was my first day here. But regardless, I decided to endure the discomfort and sit a little longer. I heard some footsteps but couldn\u2019t spot anyone. The noise grew a little louder and felt closer. I looked suspiciously at every passerby. And then just when I was about to leave, I saw a bird walking on dried grass. What?? How am I able to hear it so clearly and why was this sound so loud? The bird wasn\u2019t scared of me and kept doing her business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            I was blown away. Wait, why don\u2019t I hear any traffic sounds? This is situated on the main road and is the capital city. Gosh, we live with that much noise on a daily basis. That\u2019s crazy.  I wanted to sit in silence with myself and soak in all the glory but O boy, it\u2019s really really hard. I ended up calling my friend and then my grandma, telling them all about my 24 hrs in Kashmir. The more I heard the nagging voice to do nothing, the more I wanted to do the opposite. But after spending 2 hours in the tug of war, I finally gave in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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