Shalimar Gardens:
Five kilometers east of old city are the famous Shalimar Gardens laid out by Mughal Emperor Shah-Jehan in 1642A.D. The Gardens are spread out in typical Mughal style and are surrounded by high walls with watchtowers at the four corners. Originally, the gardens were spread over seven ascending terraces, but only three remain now, which cover an area of about 42 acres. The brickwork of the floors of the three terraces has been repaired according to their original designs that differ on all three terraces. There is a marble pavilion under which water flows and cascades down over a carved, marble slab creating a waterfall effect. Across the waterfall, is a marble throne. At the end of the second terrace is a beautiful structure called Sawan Bhadon, a sunken tank with niches on its three sides. Water cascades down from it in sheets in front of the niches, producing the sound of falling rain. In the olden times, oil lamps were placed in the niches, which reflected myriad colors, through the water. Shalimar Gardens have the privilege of being the stage of all-important state receptions. Outside its walls, the annual festival or Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lamp) is held every March. Special lights on the first and the second terraces of the Gardens have been installed and the area is illuminated half-an-hour after sunset.