Srinagar is the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. It is situated at an altitude of 1,730m. In the heart of the Kashmir valley, Srinagar spreads out on both sides of the Jhelum river. The Valley's beauty has enticed visitors from distant lands. Srinagar bear the hallmark of the Mughals. It's a city of full of intriguing alleyways and curious building. Srinagar offers the spectacular sights of the lovely lakes and the houseboat on them. The dry fruits and the traditional Kashmiri handicrafts are the other major attractions of the hill resorts. If ther is a heaven on earth's, its's here, it's here, it's here in Srinagar.

PLACES TO VISIT IN PAHALGAM:-

BAISARAN : :- This meadow, about 5-km from Pahalgam and 150m higher, provides excellent views over the town and the Lidder valley. Pine forests and the snowclad mountains surround the grassy glen. One can hire ponies for this trek from near the centre of town.

AMARNATH CAVE :- Pahalgam is the base for the religious trek to the abode of Lord Shiva. A narrow spiralling path from Panchtarni leads to the Amarnath Cave. The massive ice shivlingam is visited by thousands of pilgrims between July and September.

MATTAN & MARTLAND :- Only a few km beyond Anantnag, on the Pahalgam road, Mattan is an important Hindu pilgrimage point due to its fish filled springs. A complicated legend relates that the springs were created when Lord Shiva broke open an egg, which had been thrown there, the egg being the reincarnated form of a forgetful boy, who had been cursed by a wandering sage and that's only half the story! On a plateau above Mattan and 3-km to the south, stands the huge ruined temple of Martand. Built by Lalitaditya Mukhtapida it is the most impressive ancient ruin in Kashmir and beautifully sited. The ruins are 67m by 43m and consist of a portico with a small-detached shrine on both side and a quadrangular courtyard. The courtyard was surrounded by 84 columns - the multiple of the number of days in the week by the number of signs in the zodiac. From here to Pahalgam the road follows the course of the Lidder River, past some good trout fishing stretches.

PAMPORE :- Only 16-km out of Srinagar on the main highway south, Pampore is the Centre of Kashmir's saffron industry. Highly prized for it's flavouring and colouring properties and rather expensive, saffron is gathered from flowers, which are harvested in October.