Chashme Shahi
The great female saint of Kashmir, Rupa Bhawani, discovered a freshwater spring in the Zabarwan Range. Her family name was Sahib, and she belonged to the Sahib clan of Kashmiri Pandits. The local people called this water source Chashme Sahibi for many years. Over time, the name shifted from its original form to become known as Chashme Shahi. This translation means the Royal Spring in English. The change happened gradually over centuries before Mughal architects arrived on the scene.
Emperor Shah Jahan issued an order in 1632 AD to build a garden around the existing spring. Governor Ali Mardan Khan executed these instructions for his son Prince Dara Shikoh. The resulting structure measures 108 meters long and 38 meters wide. It covers exactly one acre of land within the Zabarwan mountainside. This makes it the smallest of three major Mughal gardens built along Dal Lake. The other two gardens are Shalimar and Nishat, which are significantly larger in scale. A Pari Mahal or Fairy Palace stands to the east where Dara Sikoh studied astrology.
The design follows Persian garden traditions with Iranian artistic influences carved into stone. Three distinct terraces cascade down the steep slope toward the valley floor below. An aqueduct carries water from the top terrace to the middle section first. A waterfall flows through this second level where a large fountain sits at the center point. Water then travels down another ramp into the third square pool containing five fountains. A two-storey Kashmiri hut marks the origin of the spring on the uppermost terrace. Visitors enter through flights of stairs that run along both sides of each level. English writer Amit Kumar described the small garden as architecturally the most charming near Srinagar.
Local belief holds that the spring water possesses healing qualities for those who drink it. Former Premier Jawaharlal Nehru arranged for shipments of this water to travel all the way to Delhi. He collected samples directly from the source before they were transported northward. The journey covered hundreds of miles across varied terrain to reach the capital city. This practice highlights how the community valued the natural resource beyond its visual beauty. The water continues to flow through the terraces today just as it did in 1632.
The site lies within Srinagar city limits northeast of the airport terminal building. Boulevard Road runs alongside Dal Lake connecting the garden to Raj Bhawan governor house. Hotels and restaurants offer lodging options for travelers visiting the area during peak seasons. Tourists can access the grounds between March and November each year. April through October represents the best window for viewing the landscape in full bloom. May and June bring the gardens to their highest state of floral abundance. The location remains adjacent to the Governor's residence throughout the year.
Common questions
Who discovered the freshwater spring that became Chashme Shahi?
Rupa Bhawani, a great female saint of Kashmir from the Sahib clan of Kashmiri Pandits, discovered the freshwater spring in the Zabarwan Range. Her family name was Sahib and locals originally called this water source Chashme Sahibi before the name shifted to Chashme Shahi.
When did Emperor Shah Jahan order the construction of Chashme Shahi garden?
Emperor Shah Jahan issued an order in 1632 AD to build a garden around the existing spring. Governor Ali Mardan Khan executed these instructions for his son Prince Dara Shikoh while the structure measures 108 meters long and 38 meters wide.
Where is Chashme Shahi located relative to Srinagar landmarks?
The site lies within Srinagar city limits northeast of the airport terminal building with Boulevard Road running alongside Dal Lake connecting the garden to Raj Bhawan governor house. The location remains adjacent to the Governor's residence throughout the year.
Why does Chashme Shahi have healing properties according to local belief?
Local belief holds that the spring water possesses healing qualities for those who drink it which led former Premier Jawaharlal Nehru to arrange shipments of this water to travel all the way to Delhi. He collected samples directly from the source before they were transported northward over hundreds of miles across varied terrain to reach the capital city.
How many terraces are there in the design of Chashme Shahi garden?
Three distinct terraces cascade down the steep slope toward the valley floor below following Persian garden traditions with Iranian artistic influences carved into stone. An aqueduct carries water from the top terrace to the middle section first where a large fountain sits at the center point before traveling down another ramp into the third square pool containing five fountains.