Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal

The Chashme Shahi or the Royal Spring is a Mughal Garden which overlooks the Dal Lake and located in the Zabarwan mountain range near the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. The garden was built around a spring, in 1632 AD, by Ali Mardan Khan who was a governor of Emperor Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan got the garden built as a gift for his son Dara Shikoh. About 2 kilometers from the garden is the Pari Mahal where Dara Shikoh used to learn astrology. It was here that he was killed by his brother Aurangzeb.

The garden with its landscaped terraces, sculpted fountains, natural springs, colourful flowers and views of the surrounding mountains are a photographer’s delight! Other than enjoying the natural beauty of the garden, there isn’t much to do at the Chashme Shahi. However, if you enjoy leisurely walks, you will love the serenity of the garden. The water from the natural spring at Chashme Shahi is believed to have medicinal properties. A number of tourists can be seen drinking this water believing that it can prevent and cure a number of diseases.