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Chashme Shahi, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Pari Mahal, and Naseem Bagh are the most famous Srinagar Mughal gardens and these border Dal Lake or are in its vicinity. Chashme Shahi is one of the loveliest Srinagar Mughal gardensPari Mahal (abode of fairies), my favourite of Srinagar Mughal gardens Chashme Shahi is one of the loveliest Srinagar Mughal gardens Chashme Shahi was built in 1632 by Ali Mardan, governor of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The loveliest of Srinagar Mughal gardens is located on the Zabarwan range and built around a natural spring. Pari Mahal (abode of fairies), my favourite of Srinagar Mughal gardens

Offbeat Kashmir destinations visited during this  trip and their distance from Srinagar Offbeat Kashmir destinations visited during this  trip and their distance from Srinagar Pampore (only 18 minutes drive from Awantipore – famous for willow cricket bats and 45 minutes from Srinagar via NH1 and NH44). It is at the foot of the eternally snowy Sinthan Pass and is around a 3-4 hours drive from Srinagar via the NH244 and the Srinagar – Kanyakumari Highway. Shared taxis run from Vailoo (10 km below Daksum) to Kishtwar (83 km from Sinthan) and take about 4-5 hours for the journey. If you are interested in trekking, about 10 km from Daksum on the way to Sinthan, a 3-km-long trail goes off the road along the Brengi stream to the Girsar Spring, whose waters also feed the Brengi.

Gulmarg and Yousmarg instead of Pahalgam in Kashmir itineraryThings to remember for this Kashmir itinerary Day 1 – Arrival in Srinagar by road or flight. After breakfast, on Day 5, you can walk over to Betaab valley where you will find meadows, forests, and mountains. Please note that you can opt for Gumarg and Yousmarg instead of Pahalgam (Betaab Valley and Chandanwari) in your Kashmir itinerary. – Srinagar/Gulmarg – Gulmarg – Yousmarg day trip – Srinagar.

The greens, lotus stems, and other natural resources of the Kashmiri cuisineKashmiri cuisine needs patience and an eye for detailsThe wazas are the uncrowned kings of the Kashmiri cuisineThe sweet endings of the Kashmiri cuisine I stumbled upon the awesome “gucchi” or morel mushrooms in her kitchen when she proudly showed off her prized pick from the market. In a series of invitations from Kashmiri families on my later visits, I got introduced to the delicious Dum Aloo (whole baby potatoes cooked in yogurt gravy), Dhania korma (mutton cooked in wonderfully scented coriander paste), Waza Palak (mini mutton balls cooked in baby spinach gravy), Doudha Ras (mutton cooked in sweet milky sauce) and Nadru Macchi (spicy-sweet water fish cooked with lotus roots and greens). Some of the most note-worthy delicacies are Roganjosh (mutton cooked in Kashmiri chili sauce), Aabgosht ( mutton cooked in milk), Rista ( Meatball curry), Tabak Maaz (ribs of lamb simmered in yogurt till tender, then fried), Gushtaba (melt in the mouth meatballs in white yogurt gravy), Yakhni (delicately spiced yogurt curry), Mirch Korma (small mutton bits cooked in chillies), and Kebabs. The sweet endings of the Kashmiri cuisine Sweet endings are an essential part of Kashmiri cuisine and Srinagar has some excellent bakeries.