Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in April – Wanderlust in Kashmir!

Dal in Kashmiri means lake and this makes the name of the very famous Dal Lake in Kashmir, Srinagar. The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is known for a lot of other attractions but nothing beats Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. The urban lakes, make up an integral part of the tourism and recreation in Kashmir. They are known as the Jewel in the crown of Kashmir. The lakes are also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.

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The shoreline of Dal Lake is about 9.6 mi and is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal-era gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels. The nearby Mughal Gardens – Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh offer scenic views of the lake as well. These gardens were built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. From houseboats cruising along the lake to colourful shikaras, you can experience it all. The month of April is the beginning of the summer season and the climate is perfect to spend a few hours amidst the tranquil, crystal-clear water of the lake. During the winter season, the temperature sometimes reaches −11 °C and ends up freezing the lake. But in the month of April, you can rest assured.

Dal Lake covers an area of 16 square kilometres, including its floating gardens. It is also part of a natural wetland. The floating gardens, known as “Raad” in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers. The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins – Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin. However, Nigeen Lake, also known as Nagin Lake is considered an independent lake. Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank and Sona Lank.

Suggested Read: Places to visit in Srinagar

Nigeen Lake on the other hand is a haven for nature lovers and an extension of Dal Lake. It is covered with an array of willow and poplar trees and offers a peaceful setting, away from the commotion of busy city life. Even Nigeen Lake has a houseboat accommodation facility. So, if you do love the lake a lot you can also stay back there to enjoy its beauty at night, right from the window of your houseboat.

This will also make for a unique travel experience for you. Even here you can have a Shikara ride. The lake flows to the west of Dal Lake and is connected to Dal Lake via a strait.

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During April

The valley of Kashmir has a sub-tropical climate and the summer is hot. The temperature starts soaring in the month of March itself and by April it is peak summer season. The maximum temperature in summer can go as high as 45 degrees Celsius in Jammu and 14 to 30 degrees Celsius in Kashmir.
This makes it the perfect time to be at the lake. The water brings a sense of cold air around and the Shikara ride will just add to the fun. It will take you away from the heat in the valley and dipping your hand in the cold water while taking the ride will just be another fun activity you will enjoy. Also, a swim will definitely make your day.

Suggested Read: Kashmir Weather in April

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

The nearest railway station that connects the summer capital with the rest of India is Jammu Tawi located in Katra, Jammu. So, if you are taking a train journey then be ready for a 300km road trip to Srinagar. From the station, you can either take a cab ride to the city of Srinagar or travel via bus or self-drive.

Suggested Read: How to Reach Srinagar

( View of Dal lake and boat house before sunset in the heart of Srinagar during winter , Srinagar , Kashmir , India )

The city of Srinagar has a well-connected airport, connecting major cities of the country like Delhi and Mumbai, and also the internal cities of Leh and Jammu. Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake from the Srinagar airport are just 22minutes being the closest. If you are not self-driving from the airport then you can also hire a taxi from outside the airport. The ride should take around 650-800 INR.

Taking a road trip is also an ideal option. The closest are Delhi and Chandigarh. But if you are planning to self-drive to Kashmir, then make sure you stay in Srinagar to visit the Dal and Nigeen Lake. They are located in the main area of Srinagar and are at a distance of 5 Kms from Lalchowk Srinagar. You can drive to the capital city from wherever you are based. March welcomes springs and also makes the roads travel ready for you because there is no snow and the roads are clear.

Food And Drink Facility at The Lakes

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.

Famous Houseboats in Dal Lake — ( Architecture of the Houseboats located in Srinagar, India. Home stays in famous Houseboats in Dal Lake, Kashmir, India. Romantic destination for married couples. )

But if you are looking for some snacks and tea, we have the perfect spot for you. Take a tranquil walk on Boulevard Road, you will find local tea shops around there. Try their tea or opt for Kahwah, we are sure you will love it.

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 interconnected and divided by numerous causeways, buildings on stilts, floating gardens and houseboats.

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 lakes even though they are not so deep. And even though the April heat is tempting you please refrain from doing so.

Another important piece of information that you must keep in mind – 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.

Avoid smoking and alcohol at the lake and disrupting the calm.

Nearby Attraction of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

If you are visiting Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, below are three must-visit places/things to do near the lakes.

Dal Lake Pari Mahal — ( Unidentified people relax in the grounds of the Pari Mahal, a Mughal terraced garden palace on the banks of Dal Lake. )

Boulevard Road – If you wish to have a panoramic view of Dal Lake, just take a stroll down Boulevard Road. Make sure you take a stroll in the evening because the afternoon heat of April is too hot to handle. Also, during the evening the road is lit up with street lights that make it look magnetic. The Dal and Nigeen Lake stretch all along this beautiful road. Here you will find many locals who come for an evening walk as well. 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

Swimming is a go-to activity in the month of April. Also, the waters of Dal Lake are amazingly clear during this time which makes it an ideal swimming spot. The houseboats are also equipped with diving boards and chutes. In the afternoon, swimming here can be quite refreshing. If you plan on swimming then come prepared with your swimwear.

Also, if you are taking a Shikara ride, make a note of the timings and the fare mentioned below.

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.

Another wonderful addition could be to witness the sunset. But we have a quick tip for you. Try to book a Shikara ride during this period and catch the sunset while you are taking a ride. Just anchor your Shikara and watch the beautiful sunset, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The sun will slowly dive into the back of the mountains and that view is breathtaking.