Ornamental Horticulture

Shalimar Garden

This garden was initiated by Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan in 1619 and was extended in 1630 by Zafar Khan, the then Governor of Kashmir, under the instructions of Emperor Shah Jahan. This garden is also known as the 'garden of love' and offers a picturesque view created by terraces and lakes. (‘Shalimar’ in Sanskrit means "abode of love”)
The garden extends to an area of 12.4 hectares. It has three terraces fitted with fountains and tree-lined vistas. The Shah Nahar is the main feeder channel to all the terraces.



Courtesy: http://www.imagesofasia.com

The garden is connected with the Dal Lake by a 1.6 km canal which is about 10.8 m wide. On both sides of the canal there are broad green paths lined by majestic chenar trees. The garden consists of three terraces, the first having a baradari, the Diwan-e-Am and the second contains the Diwan-e-Khas. But, unfortunately, both these buildings do not exist today, but only their stone bases are left surrounded by fountains. Along the centre of the garden there are a series of water reservoirs inter-connected by a wide canal. The canals and the reservoirs are paved with polished limestone. The source of running water is a stream which flows through these reservoirs and canals and sometimes through beautiful chutes of various designs.

The third terrace containing a magnificent black stone pavilion was meant for ladies. The pavilion is surrounded by a reservoir containing 140 large fountains. Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir provided electricity to the garden.