A guide to Pari Mahal - the 17th-century Mughal garden palace on the Zabarwan hillside above Dal Lake, built by Prince Dara Shikoh. Six terraces with the finest views in Srinagar.
In This Article
Quick Answer: Pari Mahal (Palace of the Fairies) is a 17th-century Mughal garden on the Zabarwan hillside above Dal Lake. Built by Prince Dara Shikoh as an observatory and madrasa. Six terraces descend the hillside with the finest views of Dal Lake in Srinagar. Entry Rs 25 (Indians). Illuminated at night, visible from the Boulevard. Best visited in the late afternoon.
At a Glance | Location: Zabarwan hillside, above Chashme Shahi, Srinagar | Entry fee: Rs 25 (Indian nationals) | Timings: 9 AM to 7 PM (summer); 9 AM to 5 PM (winter) | Parking: Car park at the base; 5-minute walk up | Best time: Late afternoon (4-6 PM) for views and light | Combined with: Chashme Shahi garden (10 minutes below)
Pari Mahal sits on the edge of the Zabarwan hillside at just the right elevation - high enough to see the full spread of Dal Lake, low enough that the lake fills the view without the ground disappearing. The six terraces descend the slope like a cascade, each one a viewing platform over the water. It was built by a prince who was also a scholar and a mystic, which perhaps explains why it feels more contemplative than imperial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel - written by locals - and Pari Mahal is on every Via Kashmir itinerary for good reason.
Who built Pari Mahal and why?
Pari Mahal was built in the 17th century by Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and the intended heir to the throne before his younger brother Aurangzeb seized power and had him executed in 1659. Dara Shikoh was a remarkable figure - an Islamic scholar, a Sufi mystic, a student of Vedantic philosophy, and a translator who rendered the Upanishads into Persian. He came to Kashmir multiple times and built Pari Mahal as a retreat for his Sufi mentor Mulla Shah Badakhshi, as an observatory for astronomical study, and as a madrasa (school of learning).
- ✓Built by: Prince Dara Shikoh (1615-1659), eldest son of Shah Jahan
- ✓Purpose: Sufi retreat for Mulla Shah; observatory for astronomical study; madrasa
- ✓Architecture: Six terraced gardens descending the slope; water channels connecting each terrace; a surviving pavilion on the upper terrace
- ✓The name: "Palace of the Fairies" - possibly referring to the airy, elevated quality of the site
- ✓Current status: ASI-maintained; partially restored garden terraces; the pavilion structure partially intact
- ✓Night illumination: The terraces are lit after dusk and visible from the Boulevard as a cascade of lights on the hillside
What do you see from the top terrace?
The view from the uppermost terrace of Pari Mahal is among the finest in Srinagar. Dal Lake spreads below from east to west - the houseboat colony visible as a dark flotilla near the shore, the floating gardens of the lake centre visible as green patches, and the Boulevard road tracing the near shore. Beyond Dal Lake the Zabarwan Range rises, and on clear days the snowfields of the Pir Panjal are visible to the west. The afternoon light across the lake - the hour before sunset - turns the water copper and gold.
Pari Mahal vs Chashme Shahi - which to visit if time is limited?
- ✓Pari Mahal (Rs 25): The views over Dal Lake are the main draw; the terraced garden is modest but the architecture is interesting; 45-60 minutes; the best aerial perspective on the lake
- ✓Chashme Shahi (Rs 20, 10 minutes below): Smaller Mughal garden around a natural spring; the spring itself is the feature; more lush garden; less dramatic views
- ✓Recommendation: If you only have 45 minutes: Pari Mahal for the views. If you have 1.5-2 hours: both, starting with Pari Mahal and walking down to Chashme Shahi afterward.
- ✓Best late afternoon: Pari Mahal at 4-6 PM for the light on the lake. See our Mughal gardens guide for the full circuit.
Frequently asked questions about Pari Mahal
Can I visit Pari Mahal at night?
Pari Mahal closes at dusk (7 PM in summer, 5 PM in winter). However, the illuminated terraces are visible from the Boulevard and from the Dal Lake shoreline after dark - the cascade of lit terraces on the hillside is one of Srinagar's most photographed night views from outside. Shikara rides on Dal Lake at night offer the best view of the illuminated Pari Mahal from the water.
How long should I spend at Pari Mahal?
Allow 45-60 minutes for a relaxed visit - walking each terrace, spending time at the top for photographs, and exploring the partial pavilion structure. The garden itself is not extensive. The best use of a Pari Mahal visit is to arrive an hour before the best light (4 PM in summer), walk slowly, and spend the final 30 minutes at the top terrace watching the Dal Lake light change.
Is there a restaurant or tea shop at Pari Mahal?
No food or drink is served inside Pari Mahal. There is a small JKTDC stall near the entrance with basic refreshments. The nearest proper cafes are along the Boulevard (10-15 minutes by road). Bring water, especially in summer as the ascent through the terraces can be warm.
What is the story of Prince Dara Shikoh and why is he interesting?
Dara Shikoh is one of the most fascinating figures in Mughal history. A polymath and mystic, he wrote a famous work called Majma-ul-Bahrayn (The Confluence of Two Oceans) arguing that Sufi Islam and Vedantic Hinduism were complementary paths to the same truth. He translated the Upanishads into Persian (the Sirr-e-Akbar). His defeat and execution by his brother Aurangzeb in 1659 represented not just a succession struggle but a choice between tolerance and orthodoxy in Mughal India.
How do I reach Pari Mahal from the Boulevard?
From the Dal Lake Boulevard, take the road to Chashme Shahi (well-signposted), continue past Chashme Shahi, and follow the road up the hillside to Pari Mahal - approximately 10 minutes by car from the Boulevard. Taxis and autos from the Boulevard know the route. Parking is at the road-level car park below the terraces.
Dara Shikoh wrote: "I have crossed the river of multiplicity and reached the ocean of unity." He built Pari Mahal as a place to pursue that ocean. The view from its upper terrace, the full expanse of Dal Lake below, suggests he found the right elevation.
Plan the Srinagar heritage garden circuit - Pari Mahal, Chashme Shahi, Nishat, and Shalimar in one day.
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