3N/4DKashmirPari Mahal, Srinagar
Terraced ruins above Dal Lake, built by Dara Shikoh
- Type
- Mughal garden
- Location
- Srinagar, Kashmir
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Timings
- Daytime, roughly from morning to sunset
- Entry fee
- A small entry ticket, bought at the gate
- Best time to visit
- April to October. Late afternoon for the sunset view.
Timings and fees change from time to time. Please confirm locally before you go.
About Pari Mahal
Pari Mahal, the palace of fairies, sits on the Zabarwan hillside above Chashme Shahi. It was built in the mid-17th century by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan. It is believed to have been used as a place of study, including astronomy.
What remains today is a set of stone terraces with arched walls, laid out as a garden with lawns and flower beds. The arches and terraces look down on Dal Lake and Srinagar, and it is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset.
Pari Mahal is smaller and quieter than Nishat and Shalimar. The road up passes Chashme Shahi, so the two are usually seen together. It lies near a secure zone, so expect a security check on the way up. Spring and early summer bring the most flowers, and the light in the evening makes the old stone walls glow.
Things to do at Pari Mahal
- Walk along the arched terraces
- Watch the sunset over Dal Lake
- Combine with Chashme Shahi and the Tulip Garden
How to reach Pari Mahal
- Above Chashme Shahi, about 10 km from Dal Gate, about 25 minutes by car.
Tips before you go
- Go in the late afternoon for the light, but check the closing time.
- Carry an ID card for the security check on the approach road.
Packages with a stay or visit in Srinagar
3N/4DKashmir
4N/5DKashmirKashmir Valley Highlights
3N Srinagar · 1N Pahalgam- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹15,900
per person
5N/6DKashmirClassic Kashmir Tour with Houseboat
2N Srinagar (houseboat) · 1N Gulmarg · 2N Pahalgam- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹19,900
per person
Nearby places to visit
Mughal garden · Srinagar
Chashme Shahi
The smallest of Srinagar's Mughal gardens, laid out around a natural spring in the 1630s, on a hillside above Dal Lake.
Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hourRead more →Tulip garden · Srinagar
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
A large tulip garden at the foot of the Zabarwan hills, open for a few weeks in spring, usually from late March to April.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hoursRead more →Must visit
Lake · Srinagar
Dal Lake
Srinagar's best-known sight, with houseboats, shikara rides at sunrise and sunset, the floating vegetable market and views of the Zabarwan hills.
Time needed: Half day, plus a houseboat night if you likeRead more →Pari Mahal: FAQs
Who built Pari Mahal?
Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, in the mid-17th century.
Is Pari Mahal good for sunset?
Yes. Its terraces face Dal Lake and it is one of the best sunset spots in Srinagar.