Srinagar is the summer capital of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory in northern India. The city lies along the Jhelum River at an elevation of 1,500 meters. Though Srinagar is well known for its beauty, it is also home to many mosques and temples, including a center of worship that reportedly contains a hair that belonged to the Prophet Muhammad.
Unlike any other city in India, Srinagar is predominately a Muslim community, with 95% of the people identifying as Muslim. Due to this predominant influence of Islam, Srinagar has many restrictions on apparel, alcohol, and social events that are more common in the Middle East.
An interesting facet of life in Srinagar is the tradition of houseboats on Dal and Nigeen, the two lakes around the city. This tradition started during British rule in the 1850s as a way for government officials to escape the heat of the plains. The local Hindu Maharaja denied them the ability to own land, so the British began converting barges and industrial boats to houseboats. As recently as the 1970s, more than 3,000 of these were available for rent.