Pari Mahal, Srinagar

Pari Mahal is a structure of six terraces built by Dara Shikoh (1615-1659) on the top of Zabarwan mountain range for his Sufi teacher, Mulla Shah. The place was a Buddh Math, later converted into school of Astrology by Dara Shikoh. In the uppermost terrace, there are ruins of the two structures resembling a baradari and reservoir. In the middle of the second terrace there is a large tank. The façade of the retaining wall is ornamented with series of twenty-one arches built in descending order. The third terrace has the main entrance. On either side of it, there are series of spacious rooms. The fourth terrace has the remains of tank. The fifth terrace has an arcaded retaining wall with pigeon holes. The sixth terrace has a rectangular tank in the middle and octagonal bastions. Fractions of earthen water pipes are still to be seen in the structure. The monument is famous for its garden.