The Dal Lake has fairly become a symbol of tourism in Kashmir. Lake has five pools and series of channels which are connected with each other. Prime industry depends on the Dal Lake is fishing as there are variety of fishes available in the lake. The sparkling quiet waters of Dal surrounded by snow-capped mountains on its three sides certainly mark it as one of the most beautiful lakes of India. There are many garden orchards on its banks and it is second largest lake of the state. Dal Lake is famous for House Boats because tourist loves to see scenery of the Dal Lake with boat ride. Tourist can feel a romantic and peaceful ride of the lake and quiet their nerves as the houseboat floats over the waving waters. Dal Lake covers an area of about 18 kilometers and its natural swamps cover about 22 kilometers containing floating gardens.
Shikaras that seem to have small elaborate versions of the gondolas of Venice, which takes tourist from bank of the lake to the house boat via ferry rides. The bank of the Dal Lake residence is diverse monuments of the Mogul and Kashmir University campus, while the two small hills overlooking the lake house Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat temples. There are about 500 garden were exists on the banks of the Dal Lake between 16th and 17th century but only few of them endured. Geologists believed that origin of Dal Lake lie in Pleistocene Oligotrophic Lake which was covered the entire valley of Kashmir. There are many hotels and a restaurant exists at front view of the lake and attracts large number of tourist every year.
Running from the Dal Lake is the smaller Nagin Lake. Here, the waters are bordered by trees of willow and poplar whose reflection is mirrored in the lake. The lake waters are fresh from mid May to mid September. Nagin Lake, which is far from the city and have wonderful views of the mountains of Himalaya.
Attraction in the region of the Dal Lake
Jammu: It is prime tourist destination as it has attractions like Bahu Fort, Gardens, Ranbireshwar Temple, Raghunath Temple, Amar Mahal Palace, Gauri Kund, etc. It have more importance as it is base camp for tourist of Vaishno Devi Tempe.
Hazratbal: It is holiest site of Islam stands on the northwestern shore of the Dal Lake. This mosque preserves a strand of hair believed to be that of Prophet Mohammed. Background of the snow covered Himalaya adds magic of the place.
Shankaracharya: It is ancient Shiva Temple and having prime religious importance. Peak of the temple rises up to height of more than thousand feet and you can see unassailable view of the surroundings from there.
Gulmarg: It is known as one of the tourist haven on the world and famous for golf course exists at the highest in the world. A ride from Srinagar to Gulmarg would be a enjoyable experience as deodars facing on both sides of the road.
Dal Lake also offers unforgettable shopping experience as salesmen paddle from boat to boat to sell fruits, nuts, baked goods, papier-mache boxes, Kashmiri shawls, leather items and many more stuff. In short Dal Lake offers most romantics experience of the life with boat ride.
India Holiday is all about experiencing Indian values, traditions and variety in culture.
