Pari Mahal overlooks Dal Lake and offers stunning views of Srinagar. Built by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh in the 1600s, this seven-terraced garden features beautiful Islamic architecture and served as a library, spiritual center, and observatory.

Overlooking the Dal Lake and sitting pretty above the Zabarwan mountain range, Pari Mahal, which translates to ‘the palace of fairies’ offers some of the most stunning views in all of Srinagar. Gaze at the undulating hills and glittering waters in the distance and the monument will certainly seem to live up to its moniker. At first glance, one would think that the palace was built straight out of a fairytale. But as per local legends, Pari Mahal was named not for its heavenly location but for its mythical sightings and lore of princesses who were kept there against their will by evil magicians.

These macabre tales may be the furthest thing from your mind when you get here, though. This seven-terraced garden structure was built by Mughal prince Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s eldest son, in the mid-1600s. Prince Dara Shikoh was the heir-apparent, but despite the support of his father, he was defeated by Aurangazeb who then became the next emperor. A patron of the arts, the prince was known well for his collection of paintings and calligraphy called the ‘Dara Shikoh’ which was later presented to Nandira Banu, his wife.

Pari Mahal’s entire structure pays homage to the art during the time of Shah Jahan’s reign, with signature elements of Islamic architecture— its exquisite arches and terraced gardens set it apart from other Kashmiri monuments.

The prince lived here in the years 1640, 1645 and 1654 respectively, during which time Pari Mahal is believed to have served as his library, spiritual centre and dwelling place. Due to its height and unique location, the structure was then also used as an observatory to teach astronomy and astrology