Srinagar

Srinagar is the summer capital of the disputed Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits.

Srinagar is composed of two Sanskrit words, Sri (Lakshmi) and nagar, which means "city". One theory of the origin of the name is that a Pandava King Ashok built the city of Srinagari (Srinagar). Another theory is that Mauryan Emperor Ashoka founded the original city of Srinagar, then situated on the site of the present village of Pandrethan, 5km to the north of the existing capital.