Pari Mahal

Situated close to Srinagar, above the stunning Chashme Shahi Gardens, is a seven-terraced garden called Pari Mahal. The historical site, which is perched atop the Zabarwan mountain with a view of Dal Lake and Srinagar, is also known as the home of angels or the habitat of fairies. The vibrant flowers and exotic fruit crops are the main draws.

Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, constructed the Palace of Fairies, also known as Pari Mahal. The mahal was reportedly previously a Buddhist monastery. Later on, prince Dara Shikoh used it as an astrological school. Pari Mahal’s construction is in the traditional Islamic style, and the surrounding gardens are kept in immaculate condition.

History of Pari Mahal 

In 1650 AD, Dara Shikoh, a Mughal Prince and the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, constructed Pari Mahal. It is reported that the site was originally a Buddhist monastery. The Pari Mahal was constructed by demolishing the monastery’s remnants and used as the prince’s classroom for astrology and astronomy. It is also stated that Prince Aurangazeb, the younger brother of the princes, assassinated him here in order to overthrow the Mughal Reign. Pari Mahal later functioned as a paramilitary camp location.

Architecture of Pari Mahal

With a total of six terraces, the magnificent Pari Mahal is a magnificent example of Islamic architecture. The garden stretches 123 meters long and roughly 63 meters broad. There are twenty-one arches on the exterior wall, arranged in descending order. There are two large rooms on either side of the hallway, and the entrance is located on the third terrace.

The majority of the uppermost terrace is made up of the remains of a reservoir, which the archaeologists believe to be the Baradari, a twelve-door pavilion that is typically built atop certain monuments to provide ventilation. There’s a large reservoir in the center of the second terrace. There are further reservoir ruins on the fourth terrace, and pigeon-holed walls can be found on the fifth terrace. The sixth terrace consists of an octagonal bastion at each end and a tank in the center. Water was transported from the reservoirs to the Mahal by an underground conduit, which is now completely destroyed.

How To Reach Pari Mahal 

The Chashm-E-Shahi is within ten minutes’ drive from Pari Mahal. Gupkar Road is the route that tourists can take to get to the magnificent Mahal. Pari Mahal is almost 13 kilometers distant from Srinagar.