The Shalimar Gardens

The Shalimar Gardens, built and expanded by emperor Shah Jahan in the 16th Century, as a token of his love for his wife, Nur Jahan (“light of the world”) is a scenic and ancient garden in the valley of Kashmir.

“Shalimar” literally means abode of love, and this garden has been an abode of delight and wonder for all ruling governors of Kashmir, as well as the public, for centuries. The original construction of the gardens was completed by emperor prasvarsena II in the 2nd century, and therefore these ancient gardens have been delighting the inhabitants of the mystical valley for centuries.

In fact, Emperor Jahangir and his wife were so enamored by the beauty of Kashmir, that they would cross the icy and snowy mountain range of the Pir Panjal mountains to reach Srinagar, the capital, and even made Srinagar their imperial summer residence.

The beauty and love of God, manifested in these magisterial gardens, is symbolized and encapsulated in the manifest beauty of the Kashmiri shawl, as the craftsmen try to honor this beauty through their design and workmanship.

Therefore, these works of art are a rare breed of adornment, combining centuries of craftsmanship with ancient history, and the natural world, to make a beautiful shawl to honor the human body wearing it.