Hari Parbat fort

At the top of Kohimaran hill, the 200-year-old Hari Parbat fort built by Afghan governor Atta Mohammad is an integral part of Srinagar skyline.

The first fortifications on the site were actually built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1590, but then the construction was never completed. The present fort was constructed in 1808 during the reign of Shuja Shah Durrani.

After being closed to public for 24 years, the Hari Parbat Fort was thrown open in 2014. Visitors have to get tickets (Rs 20 for local residents, Rs 100 for tourists) from Interpretation Centre Chatti Padshahi Rainawari or TRC Srinagar.

The fort is maintained by Tourism Department.

You can drive up to the fort gate, and once there, you have to climb the stairs, which is quite a task. You may literally get out of breath, before you can have a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Srinagar from the top.

Depeding on where you stand, you can have a view of Nigeen Lake along with Badamwari and Chatti Padshahi Sahib, or Dal Lake  and Dargah Hazratbal, or Makhdhoom Sahib and the old city.

Although the fort is not in good condition but still one can imagine how beautiful and mesmerizing it must have once been.

There is a pond in centre of the fort, which is now filled up with grass, and a small mosque, with a feel of Mughal architecture. Tourism department has also set up a refreshment centre.

Source: http://www.kashmirimpulse.com/content/hari-parbat-fort