Chashme Shahi
A Mughal garden built around a spring in Srinagar, Kashmir
Chashme Shahi is a small Mughal garden in Srinagar, India, built in 1632 around a natural spring. Known for its terraced layout and Persian-inspired design, the garden features flowing water, pools, and fountains, and is open to visitors from March to November.
- Built in 1632 as a gift from Shah Jahan to his son Dara Shikoh
- Centred on a spring discovered by saint Rupa Bhawani
- Features three terraced levels with pools and fountains
- Open to visitors from March to November
- Smallest of Srinagar’s three Mughal gardens
What is Chashme Shahi?
Chashme Shahi is a terraced Mughal garden built around a natural spring in Srinagar. The garden covers about one acre and is the smallest of the three famous Mughal gardens in the city. Its main feature is the spring, which flows through three levels: an aqueduct, a waterfall, and pools with fountains. Visitors enter through steps leading up to the spring’s origin, passing flower beds, water channels, and a two-storey Kashmiri hut at the top terrace.
The history of Chashme Shahi
The garden was constructed in 1632 by Ali Mardan Khan, governor under Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, as a gift for Shah Jahan’s son, Dara Shikoh. The site was chosen for its spring, discovered by the Kashmiri saint Rupa Bhawani and originally called Chashme Sahibi. Over time, the name became Chashme Shahi, meaning 'the royal spring'. Its design follows Persian garden traditions, reflecting Iranian influence in its layout and architecture.
What there is to see
Chashme Shahi is laid out in three terraces, each with water features fed by the central spring. The top terrace holds a Kashmiri hut at the spring’s source. Water flows down a ramp to the second terrace, forming a pool with a large fountain, and then descends to a square pool with five fountains at the lowest level. The garden’s structure is shaped by the steep hillside, and its paths and stairs guide visitors through each section.
When to go
Chashme Shahi is open to visitors from March to November, with the best bloom in May and June. It is a popular spot for tourists and locals, who come to see its historic layout, flowing water, and views of Dal Lake and the Zabarwan mountains. The spring water is believed by some to have medicinal properties, and it was once sent to Delhi for India’s first Prime Minister.
Parts and collections
Chashme Shahi is one of three main Mughal gardens in Srinagar, alongside Shalimar and Nishat. It is the smallest of the three but is noted for its intimate scale and architectural charm. The garden’s Persian-inspired design and focus on water features set it apart from the others.
Why Chashme Shahi matters
Chashme Shahi reflects the Mughal love for gardens and Persian aesthetics. The garden’s spring is tied to local legend through Rupa Bhawani. Its water has a reputation for purity and medicinal value. The garden is a protected historic site and remains a symbol of Mughal heritage in Kashmir.
Questions people ask about Chashme Shahi
Where is Chashme Shahi located?
Chashme Shahi is in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on the slopes of the Zabarwan Range overlooking Dal Lake.
What is special about Chashme Shahi’s spring?
The spring at Chashme Shahi was discovered by the Kashmiri saint Rupa Bhawani and is believed by some to have medicinal properties.
When was Chashme Shahi built and by whom?
Chashme Shahi was built in 1632 by Ali Mardan Khan, under orders from Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, as a gift for his son Dara Shikoh.
What can visitors see at Chashme Shahi?
Visitors can explore terraced gardens with water channels, pools, fountains, and a Kashmiri hut at the spring’s source, all set against mountain views.
When is the best time to visit Chashme Shahi?
The garden is open from March to November, with the best bloom and most flowers visible in May and June.
Good reading and sources
- Chashme Shahi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Chashme Shahi", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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