Shalimar

“Garden of Love’ Emperor Jehangir got the Shalimar Garden built for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. A second garden Farah Baksh, (The Bountiful) was added to it later during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658). the Shalimar garden offers an amazing view over the other gardens, lakes and shallow terraces. Also known as the “garden of amusement”, the Shalimar has four terraces, rising one above the other. The fourth terrace of the garden was, at one point of time, reserved for royal ladies. There is also a canal lined with polished stones running through the centre of the Shalimar Bagh. In fact, the top terrace was the most wonderful one out of all the terraces. The terrace has a tank with a black stone pavilion in its middle. The pavilion, which once served as a banquet hall, is supported by fluted pillars made up of black marble. Other attractions of the Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir include a number of fountains, shaded trees and innumerable varieties of flowers that blossom in spring and autumn. Last but not the least, a light and sound show was organized in the garden every evening, during the period of May to October, is simply superb.