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Jammu & Kashmir Dal Lake
Dal Lake is one of the famous lakes which are in the city of Srinagar which is known as the capital of the state Jammu and Kashmir. The lake which is famous as the second largest lake of Jammu and Kashmir is Urban lake which is one of the Lakes which increases the beauty of Kashmir and also known by the name of ‘’Jewel crown for the state of Kashmir’’ or also by the name of ‘’Srinagar’s Jewel’’. This lake is also popular for the purpose of fishing and also for the purpose of harvesting of the water plants.
The line of the lake which is known as shore line is near about 15.5 km in length which is engulfed by the line of Boulevard with the gardens, hotels, parks etc all around. The scenic of the Dal Lake is also enjoyed from the various gardens which were in built during the period of British such as Shalimar Bagh etc. During the season of winter the water from this lake also freeze because of the temperature which reaches to a level of -11 degree Celsius (12 degree franheit).
The Dal Lake of Srinagar spread over an area of lengthy 18 square km (6.9sq mi) and covers the area of wetland near about 21.1 square km (8.1 sq mi) including all the parts of floating gardens. Floating gardens are the gardens in Kashmir which is also famous from the name of ‘Rad’. These gardens gives you a scenic view in the month of July and even in the month of August with the blossom flowers of lotus.There is a four divisions of the area of wetland. These divisions are as follows: Bod Dal, Gagribal, Nagin and last division is known by Lokut Dal. The division of Lokut Dal and the division of Bod Dal are considered as the divisions of Dal Lake which have a island in between their structure which is known by the name of Rup Lanka in Lokut Dal and Sona Lank for Bod Dal.
At the present time boty the Dal Lake and the gardens of Mughal times undergo a serious restoration in order to find the true cause behind the problem faced by the Dal Lake. There is a investment of near about US $275 millions by the government of India in the project of Dal Lake in order to make it original Splendor once again.
History
Dal Lake is considered as Mahasarit in accordance to one of the terms of Sanskrit. It is said that there was a village which was settled to the east side of the Dal Lake and used to worship the Goddess Durga and that place now a time known as Sureshwari which is blessed by the Satadhar which is one of the spring form.
Kashmir is a state which was designed by the emperor of Mughal periods where they mentioned Srinagar as one of the Tourist resort for the tourists to visit and enjoy the beauty of it creation. Mughal emperors also known for designing the percints for the Lake which the creation of Various Gardens all around in order to make the place more beautiful and where they can enjoy the cool climate. It is said that Pashtun was a group who ruled and settle over and near by areas of Dal Lake after the death of Aurangzeb in the year of 1707. Durrani emperors was the another rulers who ruled over Jammu and Kashmir for a longer time. In the year of 1814, the part of Kashmir with Srinagar was sanctioned under the rule of Raja Ranjit singh where the community of Sikhs was grew over 27 years.
At the time of British rule. The rulers took Srinagar as one of their Resort place here they can enjoy the snow on the Himalayas and the cool weather of the Srinagar. The temperature of this place in the winter season lies between 1-11 degrees Celsius and during the season of summer the temperature used to be in between 12-30 degrees Celsius. Sometimes the temperature reaches to a level of -11 degrees Celsius which make the water of the Lake freeze during winter season. There was a restriction of building a house near the area of valley by the Dogra maharaja. With this rule of not constructing house, British decided to create a house boat for the Lake in order to make it more beautiful.
After the Indis Got independence from the British, these houseboats are now owned, maintained by the Kashimiri people considered as Hanji who are meant to maintain the structure of Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens, materials which are needed for the market to sell etc. They made this place as their livelihood. With the efforts of both Mughal and British in designing this place is considered as one of the remarkable point to make this place as a heaven and known by the tile ‘’jewel in the tourist crown’’.
Flora And Fauna
Dal Lake is the lake where there is huge Flora and Fauna founds. Different types of Vegetation are found in the catchments area of Dal Lake. Some of them are as follows Daphne, Pinus roxburghii, Cupressus, Ailanthus, Rose, Pinus Gerardiana, Melia, Ephedra, Celtis etc. There are different types of crops which are grown on this area. They are Wheat, Paddy and last one is Fodder.
The special feature of the Dal Lake is ‘’Rad’’ which is title given to the floating garden of Dal Lake. The main constitution of these gardens is the vegetation which is matted but still floating in the water. The location of these gardens are separated from the centre of the Lake and situated at a best place where it can look more beautiful with the beauty of Dal Lake. There is a vegetation of Tomatoes, melons etc on the area of Floating Garden.
The Fauna consists of Benthos, Zooplanktons and last one is Fish as their Fauna collection. There are large numbers of Zooplanktons which are found in Dal Lake. There are some kinds of fish which are found like Carpio, Schizothorax, Curvifornis, Carpio etc.
Fishing Resources
The industry of Fishing in the state of Kashmir is considered as one of the second largest industries and the livelihood of the many people depend upon this industry. The fisheries in the Dal Lake are mainly deal on the species of Carp fishes which were brought in the year 1957 in Dal Lake. The species of Carp fishes constitute near about 70 % of the fish market whereas 20 % of the market constitute by schizothanonx and remaining 10 % are constitute by other kind f fish species. The fish net which are used by the fishermen to catch the fish is of 6 m in diameter. There is a wooden boat by the fishermen which is known to be made up of deodar and having length and breadth of 20ftx4ft. Now there is a exintiction of fishes on a large number from the water of the Lake.
Kashmir Houseboat and Sikhara
Houseboats which were from the time of British and the famous Dal Lake are both situated in the city of Srinagar and known as the Floating Palaces in Srinagar. The houseboats which are used are generally made up of a wood of Cedar and size in between 24-38 metres in length and in breadth it is measure in between 3-6 metres with all the comfort luxuries which gives you the comfort of the Hotels. Most of the houseboats are structured in such a way with a terrace, rooms which are well furnished, etc. Houseboats are separately located which are passes from the bridges which are interconnected. There is a kitchen boat which is meant for the boat keepers to live with their families.
The seats of their houseboats are well furnished which gives you the pleasure of Mughal time. The owner of the Houseboats provides the facility of Sikhara to their guests in free of charge. The sikhara is a boat which can take you to view and enjoy the other sides of the valley where they can view Pir Panjal mountains, Famous bridges etc.
Floating Gardens
The beauty of the lake increases in the month of July and in the month of August when there is a blossom of Lotus flower all around. Floating Gardens is considered as one of the stranger aspect which is known by the name ‘Rad’ in Kashmiri language. They are situated on a separate place apart from the centre of the Lake on vegetation which is matted. There is vegetation of different crops on these gardens such as Tomatoes, Cucumber etc. There is a roadway available for the one’s to reach Floating Gardens. Other important feature of the gardens is that people can view the weeds which are pulled out from the water of the lake. The water of the lake remains clear and the weeds are floating until they can not become compost for the beauty of the garden. The reason behind having few boats on the lake is that the lake has the deep shallow and the frequent growth of the weeds of water.
Attractions
Dal Lake is considered as one of the attraction for tourists in Srinagar. The industry of fishing and harvesting of crops are the main occupation on the Dal Lake. Weeds are floating until it becomes compost for the beautiful garden. Dal Lake has many of the things to view which increases its beauty and some of them are important for the people to show cultural heritage. Beside the gardens of Mughal, there are some other attractive points located there. These are temple of Shankaracharya, Hazratbal Shrine, Hari Parbhat, houseboats, Nagin Lake Etc.
Island of Char Chinar
There is a famous landmark in the city of Srinagar is the island which is on the centre o the Dal Lake and there are a four chinar trees located which is known as ‘Char Chinar’. Char stands for the meaning four.
Chashme Shahi
Chashme Shahi is a word which stands for the meaning ‘Royal Spring’ is one of the famous gardens which is known for having the properties of medicinal. The source of Chashe Shahi is located on the Park of Nehru Memorial. This park is the smallest park which is considered from the other gardens of Mughal. The length of this garden is 108 mx38 metres with the three terraces.
Hari Parbat
Hari parbat is one of the Mughal forts in Srinagar. It is the fort which is located on the hills of Sharika from there one can view the full beauty of Srinagar city. The year when this was established is 1590 by one of the emperor of Mughal period, Akbar. The outer design of this fort has been designed by the Akbar and he decided to build a capital known as Naga Nagor inside it which was not get its formation because of some problem.There is a Gurudwara, Masjid, Mandir etc are inside the temple of Hari Parbat. The hills on which the Hari parbat is situated is said to have some mythological story beside it.
Hazratbal Shrine
Hazratbal Shrine is one of the famous Shrines meant for the muslims Community is located on Dal Lake from its Left side. It is the shrine which have many of the belief for the Kashmir muslims as Moi-e-Muqqadas which means the hairs from the head of the Muhammadwhich is Islamic Prophet. It is said the relic of this shrine has been first brought by the Syed Abbdullah in the year 1635. Syed abbdullah is one o the descendant of Islamic prophet Mohammad.
How to Reach
Road
Dal Lake is situated in the city of Srinagar at its heart. Srinagar is a city which is well connected from the other cities and states. There are different roadways are running for Jammu from allthe part of the cities.
Air
The nearest Airport which is located from Srinagar is in a distance 75 mts. There is a daily flight from Delhi and from Mumbai all time for Srinagar.
Rail
The nearest railway to Srinagar is Jammu Tawi which is 165 km in distance. There is a daily basis train’s which are running from Delhi to Srinagar. Other cities of India are also well connected with Jammu.
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