Among the most popular Mughal gardens in Kashmir valley, Chashma Shahi (Royal Spring) is one of the picturesque destinations built-in 1632 AD around a spring by Ali Mardan Khan, the then Governor of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It was built on the directions of Shah Jahan and was gifted to the emperor’s eldest son Dara Shikoh.

The Chashma Shahi (Royal Spring) garden showcases the serene beauty of Mughal designs. Experience nature at its most ornate as you climb the garden’s terraces, which are interspersed with polished walkways, colourful plants and carved water features. 

The garden is spread just over 1.7 acres of land with mesmerizing beauty in its surroundings. 

The garden is 108 m long and 38 m wide and is the smallest garden among the three Mughal gardens of Srinagar – the Shalimar garden is the largest and the Nishat garden is the second largest. All three gardens were built on the left bank of the Dal Lake, with Zabarwan mountains in the backdrop.

The garden is split into three terraces, with water flowing from the uppermost level to the lowermost via a series of pools and aqueducts, called chadars. As one explores each terrace, one gets to admire the photogenic flower displays and symmetrical hedges around the water features.

Enter into the garden through its main gate, which opens onto the lowest terrace. Admire a large pool, decorated with multiple fountains. A commanding burnt orange wall makes an incredible backdrop for a photograph.

Follow the source of the water up a flight of stairs to the middle terrace, which features another pool with a single fountain. Climb a final flight of stairs to the top level, where the garden’s waters bubble from a natural spring. These waters are said to be rich in minerals and good for health.

The Chashma Shahi is surrounded by a red-walled bardari, a traditional Mughal pavilion. Walk around it to appreciate its simple beauty or enjoy the scenery from this elevated point. Photograph sweeping views of Dal Lake and Srinagar surrounded by the arching Zabarwan mountains.

The garden is located just five miles away from city centre Lal Chowk, on the way to famous Mughal Gardens like Nishat, Shalimar & Harwan. One can visit the garden in the blossoming season of May or June to see the gardens at their most colourful.

“The little Chashma Shahi is architecturally the most charming of the gardens near Srinagar,” writes famous English writer Amit Kumar. 

According to legends, the water of the spring is believed to have some medical properties. The former premier of India Late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru used to get the water of the spring to Delhi.

The garden witnesses a huge footfall of local, national and international visitors round the year and helps to generate a good amount of revenue for the local tourism industry. However, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a huge decline recorded in visitors flow to these gardens as authorities have restricted people from visiting gardens and parks in wake of a spike in Covid-cases.