Different Hues of Dal Lake, Srinagar

Dal Lake is fondly known as Srinagar’s jewel. Dal Lake is the second largest lake in the state; it is a major tourist attraction as well as source for commercial activities such as fishing and water plant harvesting.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has always sustained the limelight mostly for infamous reasons. Srinagar, truly is paradise and treat for your soul. You can actually plan long vacation to Srinagar and surrounding areas.

You will be enthralled by the beauty of this place. In this post, we have focused on the fascinating Dal Lake.

As you approach Dal Lake, the first thing you will observe is the endless number of houseboats covering the lake in no particular pattern. These houseboats with names as vivid as you can imagine captivate tourist’s attention like anything.

A man in pensive mood at Dal Lake, Srinagar

We were so excited about staying in the Houseboat. We reached our Houseboat on a small Shikara in 10 minutes from the coast. The houseboat had beautiful interiors wooden walls decorated with carved paintings, whole floor covered with the carpet accompanied with peculiar noise that happened with every single step as the Houseboat tilted in a up-down manner on the water. These houseboats are equipped with all the amenities and are luxurious with space.

Stay at the Houseboat at Dal Lake is a must even it’s a day, should to on your radar

After having sumptuous dinner we fell asleep with the surreal music of water moving in the backdrop. In the morning too, the soothing sound of water woke us up.

Waking up to profound morning

Beautiful and pristine morning at Dal Lake, Srinagar

The view from our houseboat window was mesmerizing as well as thought provoking too. The man carrying dairy items on the boat, then there was another boat selling plants and seeds, seemed like moving retail shops.

Morning view from our room’ window in the Houseboat at Dal Lake

Still waters of Dal Lake narrate myriad stories that will leave reflective impressions on your heart.

We were just chilling at the window, when this man approached us to sell flowers and seeds 🙂

People were fishing or just moving around on boats, there was so much of action happening but still the Lake was musingly quiet. And we loved every second of it. The expression that the people manifested was pensive.

One sight which left me spellbound was mother taking her kids to school on a boat. There was something about this moment though it’s difficult to express in words or capture in a camera but I would still like to share that moment here.

 Lose yourself to vibrant evening

We hired a Shikara for INR 300 for 2 hours ride, the bargain started at INR 900 though 🙂

Romantic Shikara ride

Bird watching at Dal Lake, Srinagar

The whole Lake was lit with flamboyant lights and was exuding intense energy. The decorated houseboats, floating market, floating garden and boats approaching you for selling jewelry were a different experience all together.

Reflection of retail shop at Dal Lake. Floating market is very popular attraction at the Lake, these shops sell variety of souvenirs

There is more to Srinagar, this is just a glimpse, do go through our page – Srinagar, we are sure it will leave you longing for more 🙂

You can plan 7 – 10 days tour to include Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Yusmarg.