Pari Mahal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir The terraced garden, known as Pari Mahal (Abode of Fairies), was laid out in the mid-seventeenth century by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. In his Risala-i-Rumuzat, Dara Shikoh describes Pari Mahal as a residential school of Sufism, headed by his spiritual guide, Akhun Mulla Shah, a revered Sufi saint. The garden comprises seven terraces, of which the upper five are retained by masonry walls. The retaining walls of the first, second, fourth and fifth terraces feature recessed arches, which were originally plastered. Water was supplied to the garden from a spring on the hill above and distributed across the terraces through earthen pipes, known as Kulfa, and open channels running through the centre of each terrace. The first and third terraces each contain a pavilion. An interesting architectural feature is the projecting retaining wall of the fourth terrace, which incorporates square pigeonholes, possibly intended to hold earthen lamps. Tanks are located on the second and fourth terraces, with the tank on the second terrace having been completely renovated. The entrance to the garden is situated on the third terrace and is approached through an arched doorway flanked by chambers on either side. The chamber on the northern side served as a hammam (bathhouse). Source: Archaeological Survey of India