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Srinagar is the quintessence of the myriad of the facets of the Kashmir Valley, an amalgam of scenic splendour, a culture with its roots deep in tradition, and monuments that testify to its noble past and the faith and skill of their builders. Srinagar's antiquity, as a city, dates from 3rd century BC. When it was founded by the Emperor Ashoka. This ancient site is still marked by the remains of Buddhist structures and the Pandrethan temple. 800 years after Srinagar came into being, the ruler Pravarasena –II moved the city down the banks of the Jhelum to its present location. |
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 These impressive ruins of a sun temple, built by the warrior King Lalitaditya Mukhtapida in 7 AD stand high on a rocky plateau. The massive strength and grandeur of the structure is beautifully counter-balanced by elegant colonnades.
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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 9th century AD by King Avantivarman.
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The hill of Sharika is crested by an 18th century fort constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1592-98 AD.
On its western slope is a temple dedicated to parvati. On the southern face is the reversed Muslim shrine of Khwaja Makhdoom Sahib and the mosque of the great scholar Akhun Mulla Shah. Close to the outer wall of the fort is a gurudwara, built to commemorate the visit of Har Govind Singh to Kashmir. All these monuments reveal ancient architectural feats of varied style and manner.
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 The largest cathedral mosque in Kashmir was originally built by Sultan Sikander in 13th century AD and destroyed, thrice over, by fires. The present structure was built in 1674 by Aurangzeb. A fountain plays in its courtyard which is surrounded by cedar-wood-pillared corridors and minars. The structure of the mosque reveals thought-provoking skill of engineering works.
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