PHOTOGRAPHS OF PAR MAHAL GARDEN SRINAGAR
(By Autar Mota ..)
Perched in the lap of ZABARWAN hills lies Pari Mahal or the Palace of Fairies. It was a Budhist Monastery when DARA SHIKOH the eldest son of SHAHJAHAN ( Who built TAJ MAHAL ) converted it into a Astrological and astronomical observatory ( in 1650 ) for his sufi Teacher MULLA SHAH Badakhashi .DARA SHILKOH also made a part of this observatory into a library with rare collection of books. Dara Shikoh was beheaded by his own brother Aurangzeb in 1659 . Dara shikoh built a beautiful garden on Jhelum Banks in Bijbihara . This garden is well maintained and resembles Shalimar Garden in terms of its layout and fountain display. Pari Mahal is again a Terraced garden with 6 terraces .The garden had water tank at top and with an extensive network of channels for Fountains . Extensive tree plantation has been done on this hill by Forest department . One can have a commanding view of entire DAL lake, Hazrat Bal Shrine , Maqdoom Sahib Shrine , Kral Sangri Mountain, Royal Springs Golf Course , Char Chinar , Zeashta Devi Temple Complex and Chashme Shahi Area from this Garden. Frisking is done by CRPF jawans outside the main gate . Entry is free.While going up from Chashme Shahi garden ,. Pari Mahal has undergone extensive facelift and the complex is also illuminated at night. It is a treat to watch these ruins from a distance especially from Srinagar city. Enjoy some seasons at Pari Mahal Garden of kashmir. I end this mini post with lines from a Gazal of Parveen Shakir ...
Taaza Mohhabaton ka Nasha Jismon Jaan Mein Hai
Phir Mausame Bahar Meire Gulsitaan Mein HaiEk Khwaab Hai ki Baare dighar Dekhtein Hain Hum
Ek Aashana si Roshni Saare Makaan Mein Hai."
(Parveen Shakir )
( Autar Mota )
Tuesday 2nd October2012 ... Time 12.30 AM Good Night ..
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
