Dal Lake : A floating town of Kashmir
Hello all,
Hope your Diwali was as wonderful as ours and May this new year bring all happiness in your life. Diwali is all about lights and fighting with darkness. And when you celebrate it with family the joy of it doubles. Same has happened with us this year. But let me tell about that in next few blogs. Today I will share about another mesmerising place. I heard this song while returning from our trip yesterday:
“Socho ke jheelon ka shehar ho
Lehron pe apna ek ghar ho
Socho ke jheelon ka shehar ho
Lehron pe apna ek ghar ho
Hum jo dekhein sapne pyare
Sach hon saare bas aur kya.”
And immediately it took me to stunningly and stupefyingly beautiful Lake! If you tell anyone that you have been to Kashmir but not to Dal Lake, they won’t believe you. A visit to Kashmir is incomplete without a visit to this dreamy lake and its dreamy houseboats. Dal Lake is synonymous with Srinagar and one of the most beautiful experiences to have in a lifetime!
What makes this lake so unique?
It’s beautiful surroundings?
Mesmerizing scenery?
Thousands of houseboats with intricate carvings?
Or
Amazing people with their kind and gentle hospitality?
I would say all of these. Staying in the houseboat or shikara ride might be cliched for some, but both experiences are unique in their ways.
When we went for the Marchoi Valley trek in Kashmir this August, the kids were more excited about staying in a houseboat than the trek! So what can you do in Dal Lake, how is life on Dal Lake, and why is Dal Lake a must-visit place in Srinagar? Let me tell you all of these…
Dal in Kashmiri means lake. So, in a way, it is a misnomer, and it is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir.” Lake is vital to Srinagar not just because of thriving tourism but also because of fishing and water plant harvesting.
Geography:
The shoreline of the lake – 15.5 kilometers
Area – 18 square kilometres
It also has floating gardens known as ‘Rad’ in the local language. You can witness the floating gardens ornamented with beautiful lotuses in August and July. The beauty of the lake is enhanced by surrounding Mughal gardens and snow-capped mountains on all three sides. During winter, the temperature can decrease to −11 °C, and the lake freezes.
But the beauty of the lake is in the lake itself. There is a whole world on that lake. You can say that an entire small town is there on the lake. And for that, you have to come close to it!
Kashmir was the summer capital for many Mughal emperors. After, it attracted the Britishers. According to Dogra King policy, the Britishers could not buy land in Kashmir. But they found a loophole and started building houseboats as no law said they could not live on water!
Things to do in Dal Lake
Houseboat – A must stay at least for a day.
If you genuinely want to experience life on Dal Lake, you must stay in a houseboat. It is one of the most unique experiences. There are thousands of houseboats in Dal Lake; almost all have intricate wooden carvings and detailed craftsmanship. You will be awestruck by the minute detailing in some of them! The carvings are more beautiful and delicate in older boats.
They are tiny houses anchored on the shores of Dal Lake and Nageen Lake, with rooms, a kitchen (Bushkan), a dining area, and a lobby (Metheab). There is a difference in the houseboats of people living on Dal Lake and touristy boats. Roughly all houseboats have five to six rooms. They are decorated with fine Kashmiri handicrafts. And oh! How I love sitting on deck! The changes in the color of the sky during sunrise and sunset and their reflection in the lake water are a site to behold!
We were supposed to go to the Morning floating market visit, but the kids were super tired, so we skipped it and sat on deck instead. It was one of the most beautiful mornings with mist-covered Pir Pinjal range and fresh mountain air. Vendors selling Kahwa in the boat would come to you, and that morning Kahwa with that Lake view is one of the best feelings I will not forget anytime soon. We have Kahwa powder at home, but frankly speaking, it is not just Kahwa but the air, the vibe, and the warmth of Kashmir that makes it more cherishable.
Some boats will make food per your request, while others have a fixed menu. You can have budget to luxury stay options here and get spoiled by the hospitality of these kind people. So, if you are in Srinagar, at least stay for a day here and rejuvenate yourself with soothing views and calm water.
Shikara Ride
Many people opt for only the Shikara ride experience in Dal Lake, and why not? It is one of the most beautiful experiences. We went for an evening ride in Shikara where the rays of the setting sun gently fell on lake waters, and their glowing reflection was vibrating our souls. The Shikara ride includes visiting the Char Chinari (a garden with four chinar trees), the vegetable gardens, Meena Bazar (market within the lake itself), and a few famous spots of Bollywood movies like Mission Kashmir. The night lights make the evening Shikara ride more enjoyable.
Visit the Morning Market
We missed this, but they say seeing life on Dal Lake is a must-have experience! It starts at 5:30 AM. So you have to leave as early as 4:45 from your houseboat. The market gets over by 7.30 AM.
An entire town resides on this pristine lake, and they have made a wonderful world on the lake. Their life is not easy, but they have created a way to live here truly astonishingly! Shikaras are a mode of transport for people staying on the lake. You will see people getting in and out of Shikara, kids going to school, and vendors selling their products daily! Many people were removing weeds from the lake regularly. There is a hospital, school, grocery store, post office, and even an ATM and a floating Amazon ‘I Have Space’ store.
Best time to visit:
From May to November.
The lake freezes during the winter season.
The Autumn has its vibe with bright yellow to orange to red leaves of chinar trees along the lake’s shoreline.
And spring will welcome you with blooming flowers!
under the Srinagar Smart City project they are developing a 5.1 km long Lake Front from Nishant Buag to Habbak which will be ready before this winter. they have also started water zorbing as a new attraction for tourists.
So, if you plan to visit Kashmir, go to Srinagar, spare a day or two, and stay in this alluring lake… a group of young foreigners were staying for more than a month in a boat beside us. So you can imagine the beauty of the place…
Doc can’t stop just mentioning to my friends !
Amazing description to a marvellous place
Thank you so much…
Saras !
Nawaz varas na Abhinandan Kajalben
Thank you..
Sheeeeeeeekara !
Did not know so much detail about dal lake
Hey as it’s Diwali and u guys there is it proper time to go.in Dec end !
Just thinking to do it in year end
We also learned about it during our trip. Our houseboat owner told us many things and lesser known facts also.
We went there in August but Kashmir has different beauty in all seasons! According to locals winter is the best season..
Kashmir the Heaven on earth and dal.lake to Kashmir is like a red dot on womens face
Amazing description madam
Regards to sir
So true!
Kashmir !
Awesome did u guys happen to be there is diwali !
This was our trip in August. I have written blog now. But Kashmir is beautiful all year around!
Stunning pictures Kajal
Thanks baka..