Bring in the Monsoon at Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in July!

Did you know that over 20 films have been shot in and around the famous Dal Lake? It has been attracting filmmakers and tourists for years together. Popular Hindi films like Junglee, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Kashmir Ki Kali, Yahaan, Mission Kashmir, Dil Se, Kabhi Kabhi, Rockstar, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, etc were shot here and have scenes that feature Dal and Nigeen Lake. Remember Shammi Kapoor gambling on a Shikhara in Kashmir Ki Kali? The movies have helped popularize and romanticize Dal Lake and the beauty of the lake has helped make these scenes come alive.

Suggested Read: Kashmir Travel Guide for July

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. )

Talking about Shammi Kapoor and Shikara, Shikaras are a cultural symbol of the lake and are seen mostly in the lakes of Srinagar. They are also fondly called the Gondola of Kashmir. The Shikaras are a daily part of the lake and are also used for transporting people and goods. A Shikara ride on the lake is a must for tourists visiting Srinagar. Another fun fact about the name of the lake is – Dal in Kashmiri means lake and this makes the name of the very famous Dal Lake. 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 lakes are known as the Jewel in the crown of Kashmir.

Nigeen Lake on the other hand is an extension of Dal Lake and is as beautiful as Dal Lake. It is a haven for nature lovers owing to the plethora of willow and poplar trees. These offer 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.

Check out our tailor made Kashmir Tour Packages

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During July

The temperatures in Srinagar in July are comfortable. The minimum temperature is approximately 15°C and the maximum is around 29°C. July also brings rain and you can expect about 3 to 8 days of rain in the entire month. So, just bring your umbrella along and you should be good to go. Also, if you are worried that the lake would be shut down due to the rains, you must keep your worries aside. The lake is fully functionally and in fact, fishing is also possible.

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

By Rail – The nearest railway station in Kashmir is located 300kms away in Jammu, the Jammu Tawi Railway Station. Most popular trains from major cities in India come to Jammu – New Delhi-Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express, Jammu Mail, Jammu Tawi Express, etc. To reach Dal Lake in Srinagar you will have to take a private bus or cab just outside the railway station.

By Air – The state of Kashmir has three airports. But the Srinagar International Airport is connected to most Indian cities and also hosts international flights. So, it usually looks in heavy traffic and is considered the most convenient as well. And the best part is that Dal Lake from Srinagar airport is just 22 minutes away by road. 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.

By Road – July is suitable for a road trip as well. The suggested destination you can begin from is Delhi and Chandigarh. But if you are planning to self-drive to Kashmir, then make sure to put up 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.

Suggested Read: How to Reach Srinagar

Food And Drink Facility at The Lakes

Around the lake, there are a plethora of restaurants and cafes. You can find the one suitable for you according to your range and cuisine.

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

But if you are looking for just snacks and tea, let us help you with that. While taking a tranquil walk on Boulevard Road, you will find local tea shops around there. Even if you are not a tea lover, you must try the Kashmiri Kahwah, we are sure you will love it.

If these ideas don’t work for you then we have the perfect and most unique solution for you as well. 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

We have another ‘did you know’ about Dal Lake. Did you know that Dal Lake is a single body of water 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. It is a shallow lake with a depth of 6m. But even if you plan to take a swim in the lake, make sure you are experienced enough, if not you must refrain from doing so.

Make sure you do not litter in the lake as well. The lake is a beauty and as tourists, you must protect its charm in any way possible.

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

Excited to know what nearby attractions you can visit? Let us take you for a quick ride.

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. )

Boulevard Road – Be it any season you cannot miss a tranquil walk on this road. Even if it is raining, open up your umbrella and take a walk to get a panoramic view of Dal Lake. If you are taking an evening walk here you will see the road is lit up with street lights, which just makes it feel like a vision out of a painting. The Dal and Nigeen Lake stretch all along this beautiful road. Here you will find locals sitting around the lake, chatting and taking sips of tea and enjoying their snacks 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.

Nishat Bagh – It’s the season of some drizzle and rain and visiting a garden has to be on your list. The entire garden is like a blanket of lush greenery. In addition to that, Nishat Bagh is considered to be the second biggest Mughal Garden and its stupendous architecture will surely attract your attention. Don’t miss out on its beautiful terrace garden built on the eastern side of Dal Lake. In the month of March, it feels like heaven because of the beautiful blooming Persian lilacs. In fact, the name of the garden also means garden of joy and garden of delight.

Chashme Shahi – This garden is known for its natural spring and is part of the Mughal Gardens. The natural spring is the top attraction of the place and of the city. It was discovered by the great female saint of Kashmir, Rupa Bhawani. In fact, the place was initially known as ‘Chashme Sahibi’. You can visit the place to drink the water from the spring. They say it holds medicinal properties. In fact, even during peak summer, the water in this spring is always cold.

Suggested Read: Places to visit in Srinagar

Important Information You Must Know Before You Visit the Lakes

Rains and swimming are a good combination. So, if you are an experienced swimmer then you can take a dip in Dal Lake for a refreshing swim. The waters of Dal Lake are amazingly clear during this time, which makes it an ideal swimming spot. Get your swimming costume along if you want to take a dip.

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. Try to book a Shikara ride just before sunset so that you can experience the sunset from the Shikara. Catch the sunset while you are taking a ride and 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.