Shalimar Gardens Guide
Shalimar Gardens: A Mughal Paradise on Earth Guide
The Shalimar Gardens, also known as the Shalamar Gardens, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stunning example of Mughal garden design. Located in Lahore, Pakistan, these gardens offer a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle. With their intricate layout, cascading fountains, lush greenery, and exquisite architecture, the Shalimar Gardens are a testament to the artistic vision and engineering prowess of the Mughal emperors. The gardens were commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1641 and completed in 1642. The name "Shalimar" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Shalimar," meaning "abode of love." The gardens were designed as a pleasure garden for the emperor and his court, and they were used for royal gatherings, celebrations, and relaxation. The gardens are divided into three terraces, each with its own unique features and symbolism. The uppermost terrace, known as the Farah Baksh ("Bestower of Pleasure"), was reserved for the emperor and his family. The middle terrace, the Faiz Baksh ("Bestower of Goodness"), was used for official functions and ceremonies. The lowest terrace, the Hayat Baksh ("Bestower of Life"), was open to the public. Visitors to the Shalimar Gardens can stroll through the meticulously manicured lawns, admire the intricate marble pavilions, and marvel at the engineering of the water channels and fountains. The gardens are particularly beautiful in the evening when they are illuminated with lights. Activities include taking photographs, enjoying a picnic, and simply relaxing in the serene atmosphere. The Shalimar Gardens offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Mughal emperors and a chance to appreciate the beauty of Mughal art and architecture.
Transportation
The Shalimar Gardens are accessible by various modes of transportation. * **Bus:** Several bus routes pass near the Shalimar Gardens. Look for routes that stop near GT Road or Baghbanpura. From there, it's a short walk or rickshaw ride to the gardens. Some possible routes include: 11, 13, 20, 27, 33, 40, 44, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300. * **Taxi/Rickshaw/Ride-hailing:** Taxis, auto-rickshaws, and ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem are readily available throughout Lahore and offer a convenient way to reach the Shalimar Gardens.