'Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.' - John Lubbock
Oozing with beauty, the Dal Lake in Kashmir is one of the most fascinating lakes in India. Its exceptional charm attracts tourists from across the globe. It has been a source of inspiration for many a poet. Offering picturesque and mesmerizing views, it is the second largest lake in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Surrounded by majestic mountains on three sides, it is a feather in the cap of the heavenly state.
Located in close vicinity of the lake are the blooming Mughal-era gardens teeming with a wide variety of beautiful and colorful flowers. The gardens boast of amazing terraced lawns, lovely fountains, numerous flowerbeds, wonderful trees and shrubs and blissful environment, which never fail to impress visitors.
If you really want to experience and enjoy life on water, then Dal lake is the best bet. It is dotted with a variety of houseboats, which serve as interesting accommodation options for tourists. Some houseboats are highly luxurious and some are simple. You can take your pick depending on your budget and taste. Their interiors are decorated in traditional style with beautiful handicrafts such as amazingly carved furniture, mesmerizing paintings, arresting carpets, elegant chandeliers etc.
During the winters the persona of the Dal lake changes dramatically. It gets frozen and look truly heavenly. Connected to the other lakes of the Kashmir valley, Dal lake shelters some interesting fauna and flora. The sight of kingfisher and heron birds is quite common here. The flora comprises of lotus flower, water lilies and water chestnuts, which are a rejuvenating treat to sore eyes.