Jammu and Kashmir’s capital, Srinagar, was the first stop on our journey to this heavenly land. When talking about the beauty of Kashmir, one cannot ignore the enchanting Dal Lake in Srinagar. We reached Srinagar from Delhi via air travel. As we flew, snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountain range started appearing.
Upon stepping out of the airport in Srinagar, we were warmly welcomed by our driver, Bilal Bhat, who greeted us with great enthusiasm on the land of Kashmir. We were all feeling a pleasant sense of joy in the weather of Kashmir. The Kashmiri language spoken by the locals also added a sweet touch to our ears. Just like this, the poet Khwaja Mir ‘Dard’ aptly said – “
“Sair kar duniya ki gafil zindagani phir kahan,
Zindagani agar kuch rahi to naujawani phir kahan.”
➥Shikara Ride in Dal Lake
In Dal Lake, a Shikara ride is a must-have experience. Dal Lake is the most famous lake in Kashmir. Referring to it as the heart of Srinagar wouldn’t be an exaggeration. With its sprawling spread of about 18 square kilometers, surrounded by lofty mountains, Dal Lake is truly mesmerizing. What adds to the beauty of Dal Lake are the floating Shikaras. Shikaras are special wooden boats found only on Dal Lake.
These boats have distinctive designs and structures, with elevated ends above the water. One end features a rounded roof, where the boatman maneuvers the Shikara forward. The Shikaras are beautifully decorated, with comfortable cushions for seating in the middle.
We boarded a Shikara and began exploring Dal Lake. The Shikara moves at a leisurely pace, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful scenery around. There were fountains installed in Dal Lake, which added to its charm. There are several points of interest around Dal Lake, such as the Kabutar Khana, Nehru Park, and Char Chinar. We clicked photos wearing Kashmiri attire against the backdrop of Dal Lake. We also savored delicious fruit chaat made from local fruits like apricots, plums, pears, and apples, available at the shops floating in Dal Lake.
Dal Lake also has shops and a market floating on the water, offering local items. It was delightful to see how Dal Lake creates its own unique world, where everything floats on water. After exploring the market, we returned to the middle of the lake.
As the evening approached, Dal Lake looked even more beautiful. The bright lights around the lake enhanced its beauty. We could see the palace of King Hari Singh and the Taj Hotel on the distant mountain. As the evening progressed, the lake became calm, and the slow ride on the Shikara was a wonderful experience. Dal Lake exceeded our expectations, and experiencing a Shikara ride on Dal Lake in Srinagar is an essential and memorable part of a Kashmir trip.
➥Houseboat Ride in Dal Lake
The best thing about Dal Lake is the houseboats floating on its waters. These are beautifully crafted large boats made of cedar wood. Most of these houseboats are over 40 years old. Staying in these houseboats with all luxurious amenities was a wonderful experience. After our car dropped us off at a designated jetty, we boarded a shikara to reach our houseboat. After a short shikara ride, we reached our houseboat.
The exterior walls of the houseboat were adorned with intricate and delicate carvings. The houseboat looked like a magnificent palace. Inside the houseboat, there were well-appointed rooms decorated with exquisite taste. The floors of the houseboat were covered with soft and velvety carpets. It was a very luxurious and grand houseboat.
The open area for sitting on the houseboat was connected to the deck, which was built on the upper deck of the boat. We were surrounded by the water of the lake and the houseboat. The view of the lake and the mountains from here was stunning. As the evening approached, the entire lake started shimmering in the light. We spent a long time sitting outside the houseboat, chatting until late at night.
We woke up early in the morning to witness the sunrise. The Dal Lake was gleaming like gold in the red light of the rising sun. There were vendors selling flowers on shikaras near our houseboat. The shikaras were filled with colorful flowers, which looked very beautiful. It was a different kind of pleasure to stay in the houseboat. Our journey in Kashmir began in a grand manner at Dal Lake in Srinagar.
➥Mughal Garden
The main Mughal gardens in Srinagar include Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal, and Verinag Garden. Among these, Shalimar Bagh is the largest garden. All these gardens are situated in the valleys of the mountains. Water fountains are installed in all these gardens. These beautiful gardens were built during the 16th and 17th centuries by Emperor Jahangir and other Mughal rulers. The majestic chinar trees planted in these gardens enhance their beauty and charm.
➥Shankracharya Temple
The Shankracharya Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kashmir. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is situated at an altitude of approximately 1000 feet. It is located on a hill near Dal Lake. The temple is also known for its unique architecture. The view of Dal Lake and Srinagar from the Shankracharya Temple is truly mesmerizing.
➥Lal Chowk
When talking about Srinagar, it’s impossible not to mention Lal Chowk. This square is famous for its political rallies. In the middle of the square stands a clock tower, which was constructed in the year 1980. This place is renowned for shopping, and you can purchase Kashmiri goods here.
➥Tulip Garden
Its full name is the Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden. Situated on the slopes of the Zabarwan Hills near Dal Lake, the Tulip Garden is very popular among tourists visiting Kashmir. There are more than 65 varieties of tulips here, with a total count exceeding 15 lakh. Every year, in the month of March, when the tulip flowers bloom together, this garden is opened for tourists.
➥Market on Shikara
At 5 a.m. every morning, vegetable markets are set up on Dal Lake. Decorated with colorful vegetables, heaps of shikaras sell their fresh produce here, attracting crowds of tourists. Shikaras filled with flowers can also be seen here. Additionally, there are places to eat in Dal Lake where you can find Kashmiri specialties like Kahwa, Maggi, and pakoras.
There is also a market in Dal Lake accessible by shikara ride. These markets have many shops selling Kashmir’s famous Pashmina shawls. Similar to our city markets, the market on Dal Lake is also well organized, but the difference is that you have to reach here by shikara instead of by car or on foot.
Traveling to Srinagar in Kashmir was a wonderful experience. All the tourist spots in Srinagar are well-maintained. Whenever you go on a trip to Kashmir, make sure to visit these places worth seeing in Srinagar.
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Information Source: Authentic information sources available on internet, Various Articles and books on the subject & Interaction with local public.
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