Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in January – Tranquillity at its Best!

Srinagar in Kashmir is known for the Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. These lakes are famous for their Shikara rides and houseboat stays.

Dal Lake House Boat In Winter — ( Lifestyle in Dal lake, People living in ‘House boat’ and using small boat ‘Shikara’ for transportation dal-lake-house-boat-in-winter )

Nigeen Lake also spelt as Nagin Lake is a nature lovers’ paradise. It is a popular tourist place to visit in Srinagar and is in fact an extension of the very famous Dal Lake. Nigeen Lake is flanked by beautiful willow and poplar trees and here you’ll experience a peaceful setting, which takes you away from the daily hustle and bustle of your life.

At Nigeen Lake, you will find a houseboat accommodation option that offers a unique stay experience, completely different from staying in a hotel or even camping out. As we mentioned, the Shikara rides are also talked about at Nigeen Lake. Nigeen Lake is situated on the west of Dal Lake, adjacent to Hari Parbat hillock. Even though it is a different lake but is considered a part of Dal Lake itself. These lakes are indeed the jewels of Srinagar that add to the tranquil and picturesque environment of the valley.

Coming to Dal Lake – is reckoned to be the pride of Kashmir tourism. Enclosed by splendid Pir Panjal mountains and Mughal Gardens, the lake is a must-visit spot for family vacationers, honeymooners, a group of friends or even solo travellers. Dal Lake is also considered one of the most tranquil destinations for shooting a film. The lake offers some incredible vistas of picturesque hills, distant snow-capped mountains, colourful shikaras and the houseboat standing still with perfect poise.

In the month of January, these lakes are partially frozen. Hence, a Shikara ride is not always possible. Also, it becomes too cold to be in the middle of the lake. But it is an experience in itself that you must not miss out on. The lakes look misty and beautiful during the winters and their eternal beauty will charm you like no other.

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During January

The average minimum temperature of the valley during January is -2.0°C. With this temperature, there are high chances of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake freezing, partially at least. Snowfall in January in Srinagar is normal with an average of 52mm. It also rains sometimes on average for a total of 5 days. The lakes are misty and the water is cold as ice and sometimes ice itself.

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

The Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake from the Srinagar Airport are the closest, it is a 22minute drive approximately. If you are not self-driving then you can also hire a taxi from outside the airport. The ride should take around 650-800 INR.

Dal Lake Srinagar In Winter — ( A view of Dal Lake in winter, and the beautiful mountain range in the background in the city of Srinagar, Kashmir, India. )

However, if you are reaching Kashmir via train then you will be at Jammu because the nearest, fully-functional railway station in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is in Jammu. Srinagar from Jammu is around 300kms away. From the Jammu Tawi Railway Station, you can hire a taxi, self-drive or even take a bus to Srinagar.

If you are planning to self-drive to Kashmir, then make sure you stay in Srinagar to visit the Dal and Nigeen Lake. These lakes are located in Srinagar and it would be easier to visit them if you are in Srinagar.

Food And Drink Facility at The Lakes

Dal Lake Kashmir In Winter — ( Beautiful view of the colorful Shikara boats floating on Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir, India. )

There are a number of restaurants and cafes near Dal and Nigeen Lake. You can find a nice cosy café or restaurant for yourself overlooking the lakes when you are hungry. Also, you can enjoy the floating market at Dal and Nigeen Lake, while on your Shikara ride. As you ride on Shikara, there are a number of small shops you can find to buy handlooms, clothes, groceries or Kashmiri products. These vendors go from one corner to another of the lakes and provide daily essentials to the people living inside houseboats. Vendors on Shikara also approach tourists carrying saffron, flowers, vegetables and sweets to sell.

Important Information and Tips

Dal Lake is a single body of water; this may also come as a surprise to the tourists. It has the appearance of being many different lakes and pools interconnected and divided by numerous causeways, buildings on stilts, floating gardens and houseboats.

The lake is actually formed from five lake basins – Nehru Park, Nishat, Hazratbal, Nigeen and Brari. The lake is shallow with a depth of around 6m and has an area of around 16 sq. km. Previously it covered around 22 sq. km.

The Dal and Nigeen lakes are famous for their beauty and tranquillity. Make sure you do not litter in the lake. Also, if you are not a professional swimmer, it is considered dangerous to take a dive in the lake. So, please refrain from doing so. Also, Shikara’s are usually low-angled boats. So, if you are enjoying the ride with kids, please refrain from bending, they might slip and fall in the lake.

Also, the lake is known for its calmness and peace. Avoid smoking and alcohol at the lake and disrupting the calm.

Nearby Attraction of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

Dal Lake is an urban lake located in Srinagar and Nigeen Lake is an extension of Dal Lake. It is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir and Srinagar is considered the summer capital of the state and is considered the most-visited destination in the valley. If you are visiting Dal Lake, below are three other places to visit nearby Dal and Nigeen Lake.

Dal Lake In Winter — ( A view of Dal Lake in winter, and the beautiful mountain range in the background in the city of Srinagar, Kashmir, India. )

Boulevard Road – If you wish to have a panoramic view of Dal Lake, just take a stroll down Boulevard Road. The Dal and Nigeen Lake stretch all along this beautiful road. Here you will find a bunch of locals that come for an evening walk or to just catch up with their friends. Also, there are multiple shops just around the road where you can buy handicrafts from Kashmir, clothes, local dry fruits, and the most famous Kashmiri saffron.

Char Chinar Bagh – Char Chinar is a compound consisting of three islands on Dal Lake. This place gets its name from the Chinar trees, flanged to the four corners of the island. The Char Chinar is a must-visit experience on Dal and Nigeen Lake. It is said that the brother of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Murad Baksh constructed this island. One island situated at Bod Dal is called Rupa Lank. The second one is Son Lanka and it overlooks the Hazratbal Shrine. Chinar trees make up an integral part of Kashmir and are considered sacred, also used for medicinal purposes and furniture.

Mughal Gardens- Dal and Nigeen Lake are engulfed by Mughal Gardens – Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashmashahi. These gardens offer a blissful view of the magnificent lakes. The best thing to do near the lakes is to visit these Mughal gardens. Nishat Bagh is popular for its terraced flower bed and Shalimar Bagh for its garden waterfall with arched walls.

Important Information You Must Know Before You Visit the Lakes

During the month of January, the lakes might be partially frozen. You must be prepared for the same. If the lake is frozen, a Shikara ride will not be possible. However, you can definitely enjoy the attractions around the lakes. You can also go enjoy shopping in the nearby area.

Another set of important information that you must keep in mind when you visit the lakes is the Shikara ride timings and cost. Don’t worry, we have that covered for you.

Shikara Ride Timings: 7 am to 9 pm

Fare: INR 550 per person (1 hour), INR 800 (2 hours), and INR 1050 (3 hours)

Apart from the Shikara Ride, there are other activities you can experience at the lakes as well.

Sunset at the lakes is a definite thing to experience. If you are in the Shikara, just anchor your Shikara and watch the beautiful sunset, amidst the magnetic mountains and tranquil lake.

In addition to this, fishing is also another activity you can experience at the lake. You will find many locals fishing in the lake. The lakes house a number of fish and if you are in a houseboat, you can ask the owner to let you try your hand at fishing and if you are taking a Shikara ride, just ask a local. However, fishing depends on the weather, if the lake is frozen then this activity will not be possible.