Pari Mahal

The Pari Mahal is also known as the Peer Mahal or The Palace of Fairies. It is located in Zabarwan mountain range.  The palace overlooks the Dal Lake and the city of Srinagar. It is an example of Islamic art. It was built during the reign of the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. It is also called “Abode of fairies” or “Home of Angels”.

About Pari Mahal

The palace was built as a residence of the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh. It has seven terraced gardens. The prince lived here in 1640, 1645 and 1654. Later it was used as an observatory for teaching astronomy and astrology. It then became a property of the Jammu and Kashmir government. It was also used a top-secret interrogation centre. Today it is a tourist spot. It is known for its fruit plantations and flowers.

Built destroying Buddhist monastery

It is believed that emperor Shah Jahan built the palace after destroying a Buddhist monastery. Some historians believe that the palace was built by Dara Shikoh.

About architecture of Pari Mahal

The palace garden expands across 123 metres in length and 63 metres in width. The outer wall of the palace has 21 arches. They were built in a series of descending order. There are seven terraces. The second terrace has a reservoir. The fourth terrace also had a reservoir which is now in ruins. The sixth terrace of the palace has a tank in the middle. It has an octagonal bastion on each end. Underground pipelines were used to supply water to the mahal. The pipeline is also in ruins. The entrance of the palace is located in the third terrace.

Significance of Pari Mahal in Mughal history

The Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh was the eldest son of Shah Jahan. He learnt astrology and astronomy in this palace. It was here that the younger prince Aurangazeb killed Dara Shikoh to win over the Mughal reign.