Dal Lake in Srinagar

Dal Lake is famous lake of Srinagar and considered as the summer capital of the Jammu & Kashmir. It is also known as the Srinagar’s jewel or jewel in the crown of Kashmir. It is the 2^nd largest lake in the state. Dal Lake is surrounded by Pir Panjal Mountains from the three sides, which are the foothills of Himalayas. Dal Lake is spreads over 26sq.km of area and deep around 20 ft (6 meters) and also has lengthy shore area around 15.5 km. In winters Dal Lake become frozen due to lowest temperature about 110 Celsius. Dal Lake is the integral part of tourism. Its large spread area and foggy peaks of the Pir Panjal hills attracts to tourist to come here.  The Dal Lake is also a significant source of fishing and use in water plant harvesting. It is famous for its shikara boat rides and house boats. Its unparalleled beauty continues on the picture & theme of many artists and poets.

Kashmiri hanji citizens owned built and maintained these houseboats, developing floating gardens and offering commodities for the bazaar to make them the area for their living after the Indian independence. Under the British and Mughal rule Dal Lake and its surrounded place became a paradise for tourists and visitors and received the nick name, “jewel in the crown of Kashmir”

The Dal Lake is 10 km far from Srinagar but easily reachable within 20 minutes by taxis. Moreover, Dal Lake is also a center for several water sports including swimming, water surfing, kayaking, shikara rides, angling, houseboat stays, and canoeing. Its shore line has covered with mughal era gardens like nishat bagh and shalimar bagh, are also the attraction of Dal Lake.

Its tremendous beauty and scenic environment makes it perfect to stay in the luxury houseboats. It become more attractive in the luminous evening when sun sparkling on the lake. The lake is divided in to four regions by four land bridges. Its western part is dotted with lots of Islands that attracts the tourists with its tranquility and privacy. Ecologically Dal Lake is rich in different type of flora and fauna and very popular for lotus flowers. After the reflection of foggy mountains in the transparent water and the diversity of fauna and flora in the Dal Lake make it more attractive.

Its shikaras boats also use as a taxi boats to carrying goods to market, kids to school and travelers from houseboat to shore. If you want to shoot the photograph of Dal Lake, carry a long lens and a polarizing filter to slash out the shine from the water. You can also use houseboats for your accommodation and you will feel the great connection of yourself with the culture and heritage of Kashmir. You can hire shikaras for trip around the lake, visiting floating flower and floating gardens.  It can be hired from shikaras boat station.

In between April to October is the pleasant time to visit the Dal Lake because this place has just two weathers, enjoyable summers and very cold chilly winters. Rainfalls are very little here.