Pari Mahal

Pari Mahal, the 'Palace of the Fairies', is a 17th-century Mughal terraced monument perched on the Zabarwan ridge above Dal Lake. Built by Prince Dara Shikoh as a Sufi school and observatory, its cascading terraces, arched pavilions, and small gardens command what may be the most romantic sunset view in all of Kashmir: the lake turning gold, the Pir Panjal glowing pink, and Srinagar's lights flickering to life below. The monument's Islamic-Persian architecture, blending Hindu and Islamic motifs, represents the spiritual syncretism of Mughal Kashmir. Pari Mahal is best visited at sunset - preferably as the final stop on a Mughal gardens circuit.