Kashmir Valley is blessed with immense natural beauty and the lakes in the state contribute a lot to its intrinsic beauty. Dal Lake is one of the most favourite tourist destinations in the north Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir. Set amidst the splendid Mother Nature, the Dal Lake has an ecological and socio-economic significance in the lifestyle of Kashmir. The lake has a rich eco-system and the beauty and charm it bears draws a large number of tourists from all over.
About Dal Lake :
Dal Lake in Kashmir, India, is among the most beautiful place to be visited all over the world. It is a wonderful lake covered with beautiful lotus flowers and encircled by luxurious wooden houses. Dal Lake is a perfect location to have refreshments since it is away from the obligations of daily day life. Calm, refreshing, bright, serene and peaceful are five words that best demonstrate Dal Lake. Within this location, tourists are able to find relaxation and enjoy the scenic beauty of the landmarks of Dal Lake.
Dal Lake is a lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The urban lake, which is the second largest in the state, is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is nicknamed the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.
The shore line of the lake, about 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal era gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels. Scenic views of the lake can be witnessed from the shore line Mughal gardens, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir) and from houseboats cruising along the lake in the colourful shikaras. During the winter season, the temperature sometimes reaches −11 °C (12 °F), freezing the lake.
The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens. The floating gardens, known as “Rad” in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August. The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered as an independent lake). Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.
At present, the Dal Lake and its Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh on its periphery are undergoing intensive restoration measures to fully address the serious eutrophication problems experienced by the lake. Massive investments of around US $275 million (Rs 1100crores) is being made by the Government of India to restore the lake to its original splendour.
History :
Dal lake is mentioned as Mahasarit (Sanskrti-महासरित्) in ancient Sanskrit texts. Ancient history records mention that a village named Isabar to the east of Dal Lake was the residence of goddess Durga. This place was known as Sureshwari on the bank of the lake, which was sourced by a spring called the Satadhara.
During the Mughal period, the Mughal rulers of India designated Kashmir, Srinagar in particular, as their summer resort. They developed the precincts of the Dal lake in Srinagar with sprawling Mughal-type gardens and pavilions as pleasure resorts to enjoy the salubrious cool climate.After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, which led to the disintegration of the Mughal Empire,Pashtun tribes in the area around the lake and city increased, and the Durrani Empire ruled the city for several decades.In 1814 a significant part of the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, was annexed by Raja Ranjit Singh to his kingdom, and the Sikhs grew in influence in the region for 27 years.
During the British Raj, the British also made Srinagar their capital during the summer months, attracted by the cool climate of the Kashmir valley, amidst the back drop of the majestic snow covered Himalayan ranges. The lake precincts experience temperatures in the range of 1–11 °C (34–52 °F) during winter and 12–30 °C (54–86 °F) during the summer season. The lake freezes when temperatures drop to about −11 °C(12 °F) during severe winter.Although the Dogra Maharaja of Kashmir restricted the building of houses in the valley, the British circumvented this rule by commissioning lavish houseboats to be built on the Dal Lake. The houseboats have been referred to as, “each one a little piece of England afloat on Dal Lake.”
After the independence of India, the Kashmiri Hanji people have built, owned and maintained these houseboats, cultivating floating gardens and producing commodities for the market, making them the centre of their livelihoods. The houseboats, closely associated with Dal Lake also provide accommodation in Srinagar. Following the Mughal and British rule, the place has became a haven for tourists and earned the epithet, “Jewel in the tourist crown”.
Topography :
The lake is located within a catchment area covering 316 square kilometres (122 sq mi) in the Zabarwan mountain valley, in the foothills of the Himalayan range, which surrounds it on three sides. The lake, which lies to the east and north of Srinagar city covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi), although including the floating gardens of lotus blooms, it is 21.2 square kilometres (8.2 sq mi) (an estimated figure of 22–24 square kilometres (8.5–9.3 sq mi) is also mentioned). The main basin draining the lake is a complex of five interconnected basins with causeways; the Nehru Park basin, the Nishat basin, the Hazratbal basin, the Nagin basin and the Barari Nambad basin. Navigational channels provide the transportation links to all the five basins
The average elevation of the lake is 1,583 metres (5,194 ft). The depth of water varies from 6 metres (20 ft) at its deepest in Nagin lake to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft), the shallowest at Gagribal. The depth ratio between the maximum and minimum depths varies with the season between 0.29 and 0.25, which is interpreted as flat bed slope. The length of the lake is 7.44 kilometres (4.62 mi) with a width of 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi). The lake has a shore length of 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi) and roads run all along the periphery. Irreversible changes through urban expansion and road building have been made along the shore line to accommodate for dramatic tourist growth. Two islands built in the basin have placed further restrictions on the flow of the lake and as a result, marshy lands have emerged on the peripheral zones, notably in the foothill areas of the Shankaracharya and Zaharbwan hills. These marshy lands have since been reclaimed and converted into large residential complexes.
Geology :
Two theories for the formation of the lake have been formulated. One version is that it is the remnants of a post-glacial lake, which has undergone drastic changes in size over the years and the other theory is that it is of fluvial origin from an old flood spill channel or ox-bows of the Jhelum River. The dendritic drainage pattern of the catchment signifies that its rock strata have low levels of porosity. Lithologically, a variety of rock types have been discerned namely, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. The Dachigam Telbal Nallah system is conjectured to follow two major lineaments. Discontinuous surfaces seen in the terrain are attributed to the angular and parallel drainage pattern. The water table cuts the hill slopes, which is evidenced by the occurrence of numerous springs in the valley. Seismic activity in the valley is recorded under Zone V of the Seismic Zoning Map of India, the most severe zone where frequent damaging earthquakes of intensity IX could be expected. In the year 2005, Kashmir valley experienced one of the severe earthquakes measured at 7.6 on the Richter’s scale, which resulted in deaths and the destruction of many properties, leaving many homeless.
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.
Nearby Highlights :
The surroundings areas of the Dal Lake are dotted with houses with sloping roofs on islands and the rest of the areas are dominated by lush green gardens. Furthermore, houseboats, houses and vegetation come across your eyes, as you move forward two huge expanses of water, the Bod Dal & Lokut Dal comes to your view.
