One thing a person
can really relate J&K with are lakes. The city of Srinagar is
known for its lakes, Dal being the centre of attraction in the
sightseeing itinerary. One can almost see the whole city
travelling through a Shikara on Dal, as most of the sightseeing
places are easily accessible via Dal. Quite scenic lakes are
also situated around Jammu too, including Surinsar and Mansar
Lakes. If one lures to visit the lakes on the high altitude then
check out the lakes Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri in Ladakh, which
beside offering a natural panorama are quite good places of Jeep
Safari.
Dal - A Lake Made Of Lakes
Dal Lake is, initially, one of the most confusing parts of
Srinagar for it's not really one lake at all, but three. Further
more much of it is hardly what one would expect a lake to be
like - it's a maze of intricate waterways and channels, floating
islands of vegetation, houseboats that look so firmly moored
they could almost be islands and hotels on islands which look
like they could simply float away.
Dal Lake lies immediately to the east and north of Srinagar and
stretches over 5-km. The lake is divided into Gagribal, Lokut
Dal and Bod Dal by a series of causeways.
Nagin Lake
Nagin Lake, which is usually thought of as a separate lake, is
also divided from Dal Lake only by a causeway. The causeways are
mostly suitable for walkers and bicycles only so they make a
very pleasant way of seeing the lake without having to worry
about traffic or Shikaras.
Overview of Dal Lake around Nehru Park The main causeway across
the lake carries the water pipeline for Srinagar's main water
supply. Dal gate, at the city end of Dal Lake, controls the flow
of the lake into the Jhelum river canal. It's the steady flow of
water through the lake, combined with its relatively cold
temperature, which keeps it so clear looking.
Mansar Lake
Mansar is a beautiful lake
fringed by forest-covered hills, over
a mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a
popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site,
sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar. Newly weds
consider it auspicious to perform three circumambulations (‘Parikarma’)
around the lake to seek the blessings of Sheshnag, the lord of
serpents, whose shrine is located on its eastern bank. There are
also some ancient temples on the lake’s shores, which are
visited by devotees in large numbers. Mansar is also ideal for
boating for which the Tourism Department provides adequate
facilities. For the convenience of visitors a well lit flagstone
walkway has been laid all around the shores.
Wular
Lake
The lake, calm though it may appear, is noted for the fierce
winds that sometimes blow up. The deepest part of the lake is
known as Mota Khon, the 'Gulf of corpses', since the bodies of
people drowned in the lake were all supposed to be washed to
this place. At one time there was an artificial island on the
lake, where boatmen could shelter if the weather turned bad, but
silting on that side of the lake has joined the island to the
lakeside. It's now a popular picnic spot. |