Srinagar is the capital of the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir that is situated in India. It is situated in Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. It is the largest city in India without a Hindu majority. The city is famous for its lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. It is also the headquarters of Srinagar district.

Tourism

Tourism is the most significant segment of the city's economy. The city of Srinagar is a gateway to some of the most scenic and beautiful places of the Indian subcontinent. The hill station and skiing resort Gulmarg is 50 km from the city. For decades, tourism has been contributing massively to the economy of the city, but it has been adversely affected on account of insurgent activities by certain elements.The areas on the outskirts of Srinagar are also famous for their natural beauty. Also in this area lies the Muzaffarabad Cantonement, which is the main cantonement of the Indian Army in Srinagar District.

Srinagar is well known for its lakes. Dal Lake is known for its houseboats. Nagin Lake is another famous lake in the city.

Just outside the city are found the Shalimar Gardens created by Jahangir, the Mughal emperor, in 1619.

Houseboats were introduced accidentally to Kashmir: members of the Indian Civil Service serving in the plains who vacationed in Kashmir were not permitted to build permanent homes because of the then Maharaja's suspicion of a British presence in Srinagar. They thus chose to live in houseboats. The first such, named Victory, was designed by Mr MT Kenhard in 1888. There are now about five hundred on the Lake.

Srinagar has several gardens which are part of the several such gardens laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent, and which are known as Mughal gardens. The Mughal Gardens located in Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Shalimar Bagh; and the Naseem Bagh. The Tulip Gardens have been recently opened to public by Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The gardens has rows of Tulips of different colurs and shades.

It has been called the "Venice of the East" or the "Kasmiri Venice"

Places of worship

There are many religious holy places in Srinagar. They include:

* Hazratbal Shrine
* Jama Masjid, Srinagar, one of the oldest mosques in Kashmir
* Khanqah Moulla The mosque founded by the sufi saint Hazrat Shah-i-Hamadan
* Kheer bhawani in Ganderbal
* Dastgeer Sahib Khanyar,Shrine of Saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani(RA)
* BulBul Saheb Shrine Of Saint Shaikh Abdul Rahman (RA)
* Hari Parbat(Kohi-Maran) hill hosts shrine of Sufi Saint Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom(RA)
* Zestha
* Shankaracharya temple on Sulaiman Hill
* Chari Sharief
* Rozabal Mosque
* Janab Saheb Anchar in Soura Srinagar.
* Bulbul Saheb at Aali-Kadal Srinagar.
* Patthar Masjid at Fateh-Kadal Srinagar, built by NoorJahan.