A Kashmiri Photo Story (8): Visiting Srinagar's Dal Lake in Winter

Dal Lake srinagar kashmir — Srinagar’s Dal Lake in Winter, peaceful and calm

According to Wiki, the Dal Lake, also known as “Srinagar’s Jewel”, has a shore line of 15.5km. It’s integral to Kashmir’s tourism because of the scenic views that can be admired from the Mughal Gardens that line its shore, such as the Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh which were built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

The Dal Lake is huge, and very beautiful. To be honest, there are some parts of it that are more beautiful than others.

I can remember the Dal Lake’s beauty, as well as the cold. Each step along the side of the lake could be quite a challenge, especially if you’re not properly geared up and if there’s a breeze coming in your direction. But a walk around the perimeters of the lake is a must, especially if you are keen on taking great photos which combine mountains and the lake all into one.

It was so cold that I didn’t want to take a shikara ride around the lake, although it’s actually a must do. But I’m glad I did because I got a chance to come face to face with ordinary Kashmiris going about their lives on the very waters. Selling linen, snacks, sweets, a salesman on a boat even came up to me presenting an assortment of souvenirs and knick knacks.

It was very admirable because of the cold, the last thing I would like to be doing is to be earning a livelihood on the waters of the Dal Lake.

I saw the Dal Lake from many different angles. Hazratbal Shrine, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh were located very near the lake. It’s a different perspective each time. The side from the Hazratbal Shrine had a mountains in the backdrop, and it was a grand sight to see devotees enjoying the lake after their afternoon prayers.

I can imagine the queens and princesses of the Mughal eras enjoying the gardens that oversee the Dal Lake, it must have been quite heavenly.

That being said, in winter, it is inadvisable to stay in houseboats on the Dal Lake due to the cold. Despite the what the owners proclaim, it is difficult to insulate a houseboat, and temperatures can go down to subzero in the evenings.

Srinagar’s Dal Lake in Winter

Shikara Dal Lake — Srinagar’s Dal Lake in Winter, as seen from a Shikara

dal lake houseboats kashmir srinagar — Houseboats sitting peacefully on the Dal Lake

Dal lake shops boats kashmir — Most shops on the lake are closed during winter

dal lake shops kashmir srinagar — Shops on Srinagar’s Dal Lake in winter

Dal Lake Houses srinagar — Homes on the Dal Lake

shikara dal lake kashmir srinagar — On board a Shikara on the Dal Lake

Dal Lake floating shops kashmir srinagar — Shops on the surface of the Dal Lake

Dal lake houseboat srinagar — Traversing the Dal Lake with a Shikara

Dal Lake homes srinagar — Homes by the Dal Lake

Dal lake shikara merchant srinagar — Merchant selling things on the Srinagar’s Dal Lake in Winter. Is he not cooold?

Shikara Dal Lake srinagar — The Dal Lake, from the perspective of a Shikara

Dal lake kashmir srinagar — The peace and calm of Dal Lake will be with me forever

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The is the last installment of the series of Kashmir Photo Stories. Hope you have enjoyed it. Stay tuned for the upcoming series as I share more on Northern Vietnam.

More from The Travelling Squid

Top 8 places to visit in Srinagar Kashmir » The Travelling Squid says:

May 5, 2014 at 3:55 pm

[…] Srinagar may not be one of the world’s safest places, but it’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful destinations that make it all so worth the trip there. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll be enchanted by the Mughal gardens at any season you are there. In summer, the gardens burst into a myriad of colours – green, yellow and red; and in winter, snow forms a white blanket over the trees and leaves. Of course, it’s impossible to forget to take a shikara, or live in a houseboat when you’re at the Dal Lake. […]