Dara Shikoh, a Mughal Prince and the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, erected Pari Mahal in 1650 AD. The site was once thought to be a Buddhist monastery. The Pari Mahal was constructed by destroying the monastery's ruins and was used to teach the prince astronomy and astrology. It is also alleged that the prince's younger brother, Prince Aurangazeb, assassinated him here in order to gain control of the Mughal Reign. Later, the Pari Mahal was used as a paramilitary camp.

The beautiful Pari Mahal edifice includes a total of six terraces and is a fantastic example of Islamic architecture. The garden stretches over 123 metres and is roughly 63 metres wide. The entrance is on the third terrace, and on either side of the hall are two large rooms.

The uppermost terrace largely consists of the ruins of a reservoir - a structure that archaeologists believe is the Baradari, which refers to a twelve-door pavilion typically built on top of monuments to facilitate ventilation. In the midst of the second terrace is a large reservoir. The ruins of a reservoir may also be found on the fourth terrace, while a wall with pigeon holes can be found on the fifth terrace. A tank sits in the centre of the sixth terrace, with an octagonal bastion on each end. The Mahal received water from the reservoirs via an underground pipeline, which is now in ruins.

• Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the garden present there. 
• People can also take rest and meditate there. 
• Tourists can also buy the colourful flowers and the exotic fruit crops that are grown there. 

• Tourists must have identification proof for entrance into the Mahal.
• There are options for getting photographs taken in authentic Kashmiri attire.
• Because the majority of the structure is in ruins, be cautious when exploring, especially on the staircase.

Tourists can come here at any time of year because the location has good weather all year. However, the best season to visit Pari Mahal is from April to October, when the weather is pleasant enough for a comfortable sightseeing tour. Some of the features that make the visit memorable are the garden's blooming with a variety of flowers in a calm environment. The temperature remains pleasant during the day, making the trip pleasurable and comfortable for families, children, and couples.

• Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
• Chashma Shahi Garden
• Hari Parbat
• Shankaracharya temple
• Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden

The overall building of Pari Mahal pays homage to the art of Shah Jahan's reign, with hallmark elements of Islamic architecture— its magnificent arches and terraced gardens distinguish it from other Kashmiri monuments.

The prince lived here in the years 1640, 1645, and 1654, and it is believed that Pari Mahal served as his library, spiritual centre, and residence throughout that time. The edifice was later utilised as an observatory to teach astronomy and astrology due to its height and unique location. These terraced gardens were given to the Jammu and Kashmir government shortly after India's independence in 1947.