Main Info
Dal Lake
Dal Lake is a beautiful lake located on a hillside. It truly reflects the culture of Srinagar. It extends to over 26 square kilometers in length and is considered the gem of Srinagar.
The famous Dal Lake offers you the chance to spend your time over water in beautifully crafted wooden houseboats that embellished within. You can see people selling vegetables and an entire market on slender Shikara boats in the mornings. There are beautiful green gardens from the Mughal era also the shore of the lake that give it an appealing look.
The beauty of Srinagar is at its peak during summers. This is why Mughals and Britishers regularly paid visits to enjoy and spend time in peace when almost half of India would scorch. The Dal lake has four primary char chinars or Rupa Lank trees located beautifully at its center. The Mughals realized how much scope the lake had in terms of amplifying the beauty of Srinagar and constructed beautiful gardens and pavilions. They built the famous Shalimar Garden and Nilshad Garden strategically so that they could view the entire lake from one place. After the Mughals, Britishers introduced the concept of vessel houses within the lake to bolster tourism. A traveler center now, one ought not to miss the flawless excellence of Dal Lake.
Houseboats and Shikaras on Dal Lake
Shikaras are a popular means of transport for people in Srinagar. You will be able to see people ferrying vegetables and goods from the lake to the land on shikaras. Shikaras are wooden boats that are pointed at both ends and have a beautifully decorated canopy overhead. They have been featured in many movies and songs as well. The influence of cinema and the beautiful experience of a ride on shikara has made it a must-do on the checklist of tourists.
You will find an entire market on shikaras in the middle of the lake. Vendors display their products on the shikara itself and buyers reach out to them on shikaras to purchase items. The entire lake market is a fair caricature of a roadside market, where vendors display their products. Vendors usually have a shikara of their own and sell wooden craftsmanship, authentic saffron and Kashmiri ponchos.
Dal lake is also famous for its beautiful houseboats. Tourists from all parts of the world visit Srinagar to relish the experience of staying on a lake overnight. These houseboats offer accommodation to tourists. The interior of a houseboat is similar to a hotel room, except that they are made of great quality wood with exquisite engravings and furniture. People prefer staying on houseboats because of the exquisite view they offer of the lake and mountains surrounding the valley. Most of the houseboats are owned and run by families. Good home-cooked food is available in houseboats. They also offer a host of facilities, such as hot tubs, wiFi, and endearing hospitality to top it all. These might run from a basic one-room undertaking to tremendous sumptuous suites and are reviewed appropriately by the Division of Tourism. Frequently, the add are flawlessly enhanced with Kashmiri carpets, precious stone chandeliers and extravagant furniture. The houseboats are run by locals and are usually family-owned businesses that offer a host of facilities along with great food, WiFi and good service.
Main Attractions of Dal Lake
Dal Lake is even more special because it is a combination of three lakes that are separated by causeways. During summers, you also get the opportunity to swim in the Dal lake. It is a great and refreshing experience. The floating gardens of the Dal Lake are a major crowd puller. If you are planning a trip to Kashmir, a ride on the Shikara is a must to enjoy an experience of a lifetime.
While on a Shikara ride, you might encounter sellers approaching you with their products, like ice creams, saffron, handicraft items, and edibles. In winter, the lake often freezes and tourists enjoy ice skating on it. The Dal lake is not all that beautiful in Srinagar. There are plenty of tourist attractions nearby that you can visit. Nagin Lake is another beautiful lake in the vicinity. The likes of Chashme Shahi, Hari Parbat, Shankaracharya Sanctuary, Hazratbal Sanctum, and Mazar-e-Shura are among the many places you can visit.
Dal Lake Layout
Stretching to an area of approximately 18 square kilometers, the Dal Lake averages 5 feet in depth. Its maximum depth is 20 feet. Its shore extends to a distance of 15.5 km. Made of four basins – Lokut Dal, Nagin, Gagribal and Bod Dal – the lake has floating gardens in the middle. A small island, named Sona Lank, is located in the middle of Bod Dal. Lokut Dal is also known as Rup Lank and Char Chinari.
During the months of July and August, the beautiful lotus flowers bloom in the floating gardens located in the center of the lake. In winters, the temperature drops to as low as -11 °C and the lake freezes. The government is taking strict measures to clean the Dal Lake is and bring it back to its former glory.
Best Time to Visit Dal Lake
The best time to visit Dal Lake is from May to November when the temperature is bearable. Srinagar becomes really cold during winter.
Stay Near Dal Lake
You would miss one big experience if you visit Srinagar and do not rent a houseboat. These houseboats, run by locals, offer the finest accommodation with great hospitality. On the off chance that you would like to lease inns, you can try the likes of Inn Modern Green See, Lodging Ab-i-Hayat, Inn Akbar, Inn Duke, and Jamal Resorts.
Sightseeing Around Dal Lake
The lush gardens and the mountains surrounding the valley offers an experience that can only be lived and not described. The beauty of Srinagar is particularly hypnotizing during the dawn and sunset when the sun offers some exquisite sights to behold.
Restaurants Near Dal Lake
There are plenty of options to dine around Dal Lake. You can find lip-smacking food at Heaven Eatery, Shamyana Hold up & Eatery, Pincer Vegan Nourishments, and Stream Eastery. If you love street food, Srinagar has scrumptious delicacies you can feast on at the roadside.
How to Reach Dal Lake
Dal Lake is Srinagar’s biggest crowd puller. Since it is widely popular, there are plenty of ways one can reach it. Buses and auto-rickshaws are available throughout the day. People in Srinagar are helpful too. They will guide you to the lake and help you navigate easily.