Date: 13/12/11
Route: Hazratbal Shrine-Mughal Gardens-Dal Lake
--Sunrise--
We were up early in the morning for sunrise again.
--Hazratbal Shrine--
The gate of the shrine.
Hazratbal is a Muslim shrine. It contains a relic believed by many Muslims of Kashmir to be a hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. (from Wikipedia)
I have never heard of a Muslim religious building named as a shrine. I thought there's only mosque. Anyway, I did not get to see the relic as I could not enter the main hall.
Lovely trees beside the shrine.
Tried to snap flying pigeons.
My first shot of pigeons flying! I could have done it better, but I am contented with this :)
The praying hall is out of bounds for women. So, I just too a snap outside.
A far view of an island. Too bad there was this ugly "barrier" in the foreground.
--Local Neighbourhood--
We took a walk around the neighbourhood which is just outside the shrine. It was a nice experience to see the local life.
Kashmir breads.
More breads.
The "shophouses".
I am better at taking landscape and nature photography, but people as my object? I did not really try. So, I was given the chance to snap people in their daily lives. I thought the experience was really great, and thankfully I was not caught in any trouble.
The Kashmiri men were surprisingly friendly. They let me took pictures of them and their shops!
A bakery shop.
I tried to snap the shop from a distance, and the shop owner saw me taking pictures. In the end I got this photo :)
Two men making the local bread.
The food looked delicious.
Saw these old school carriers hanging outside a shop.
A pin-hole shot of Hazratbal Shrine.
--Mughal Garden Nishat--
There are a few Mughal gardens in Kashmir, and I went to two of them. The first one is MG Nishat, which is the 2nd largest garden in Srinagar. Initially we thought the gardens would be boring as most flowers would have died in winter. However, the gardens welcomed us with autumn foliage. They were such a good place to take pictures!
It was interesting to see how they bundled the flowers together. Personally I did not like the arrangement.
Mughal gardens are a group of gardens built by the Mughals in the Islamic style of architecture. This style was heavily influenced by the Persian gardens particularly the Charbagh structure. Significant use of rectilinear layouts are made within the walled enclosures. Some of the typical features include pools, fountains and canals inside the gardens. (from Wikipedia)
Managed to snap a rose!
Pigeons on the cables!
Glad to see some colours, though they were withering.
Baldy trees....kinda emo.
The pin-hole effect created lovely sceneries....can't stop using it.
Tried dramatic effect as well.
My favourite part in the garden. The walls reminded me of Angkor Wat. Lolz!
I purposely uploaded the original and pin-hole effect version of this photo. Loved the colours~!!! For one moment, I thought I was in Europe!
The pin-hole effect version.
I climbed up high, used my long zoom lens and snapped this "broken" bridge afar.
Dal Lake looked best with the boatmen.
Some street vendors selling peanuts.
--Mughal Garden Shalimar--
MG Shalimar is the largest garden in Srinagar, but I thought Nishat was better.
The garden was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan, in 1619.
Original ceiling.
I think the garden would look better with water-filled fountains during summer.
The pavilion. Would be better if water fills up the empty spaces.
--Shopping @ Dal Lake--
We returned to Dal Lake and were brought to 2 shops selling local souvenirs.
The first stop is the paper-mache shop.
Impressive artwork, minus the strong lacquer smell. Prices were not exactly cheap, but they are things which you could not find easily elsewhere. I bought quite a few things from this shop.
The second stop is the walnut-made furniture shop. Most things here are heavy and expensive. E.W bought a small wooden box for me though. The lock design was super cool.
--Dinner--
Our usual starter - creamy soup, with noodles.
Fried rice.
I could not remember if this dish was beef or mutton. Anyway it was delicious, with the kashimir bread.
Curry chicken!
Yummy lady's fingers.
Our dessert. Pls pardon me as I forgot what is it as well :(
