Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in March – Haven for Nature Lovers!

Srinagar, the summer capital of the state of Kashmir is located in the heart of the valley. And in the heart of Srinagar is the Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. The summer capital is also fondly known as the city of lakes and the Venice of the East. It has been attracting tourists for centuries, with its beautiful picturesque Himalayan backdrop and glittering lakes surrounded by houseboats and Shikaras and the majesty of Mughal architecture.

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

A haven for nature lovers and an extension of Dal Lake is Nigeen Lake. Also, spelt Nagin Lake, is known to be a popular tourist place to visit in the city. It is covered with an array of willow and poplar trees. The lake offers a peaceful experience, away from the commotion of a busy city and away from the daily routine. In fact, the lake offers houseboat accommodation as well. 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. It will also make for a unique travel experience to cherish for a lifetime. But the most important of it all is the Shikara ride amidst serene and sheer nature. Adjacent to Hari Parbat hillock, Nigeen Lake flows on the west of Dal Lake. It is connected to Dal Lake via a strait. The lake, just like Dal Lake is considered a jewel of Srinagar, which adds to the tranquil and picturesque environment.

Dal Lake on the other hand is like the elder sibling of Nigeen Lake. It usually looks more crowded as compared to Nigeen Lake but is the most blissful and scenic lake in Srinagar. It is the jewel of Srinagar spread over 16 to 20 km and the second-largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir. The lake overlooks a mirror reflection of the snow-dusted peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains. Another wonderful addition to the beauty and charm of the lake is the colourful shikaras that float around. Dal Lake is also very famous for its unique floating market. It is known as Raad, in the local language. In the month of March, the season of spring begins and this adds to the beauty of the lake. The afternoon sun and lush-green surroundings with snow-capped mountain peaks are a sight to witness.

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During March

Srinagar lies in the Kashmir Valley, and it overlooks great weather throughout the year. However, in each season Srinagar is of a different colour. Winters is about the snow; spring is about the different blooms that render the valley a beautiful pinkish hue and green for the monsoons and summer. As autumn approaches, these colours start changing into a bright orange hue. However, March looks like spring and is the perfect time to visit Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. During this period the snow is still melting and the valley feels not very cold and not very hot. The lotus in the Dal Lake is back and the crystal-clear water welcomes you for a nice Shikara ride and houseboat stay.

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

Imagine a nice drive to the summer capital of Kashmir. Wow! The beautiful roads and the company of magnetic snow-capped mountains throughout will make the perfect road trip experience. 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.

Suggested Read: How to Reach Srinagar

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. )

However, Srinagar does not house a railway station. So, if you are taking a train journey then the closest railway station is the Jammu Tawi Railway station located 300kms from Srinagar in Jammu. From the station, you can either take a cab ride to the city of Srinagar or travel via bus or self-drive.

Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake are just 22minutes from the Srinagar Airport and are 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.

Food And Drink Facility at The Lakes

If are taking a walk at Boulevard Road, overlooking the lake, you will find local tea shops around selling some amazing tea, Kahwah and snacks. You can sip on some hot tea in the cold weather of February and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake.

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 )

But if you are looking for something else to eat. There are a number of restaurants and cafes near the lakes. You can find an outlet according to your taste and range where you can quench your hunger overlooking the lakes. Also, if you are on your Shikara ride and feel hungry, Kashmiris have a solution for that as well. You can also treat yourself to come ice-cream or chocolates while taking the Shikara ride. The floating market at Dal and Nigeen Lake will come to your rescue. As you ride on the 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.

Also Read: Kashmir Travel Guide for March

Important Information and Tips

Dal Lake is actually formed from five lake basins – Nehru Park, Nishat, Hazratbal, Nigeen and Brari. Dal lake has a shallow depth of 6m with an area of around 16 to 20 sq. km. Even though the depth is only 6m, you must be careful before taking a swim, if you are not a professional or experienced swimmer, please refrain from the activity.

Also, make sure you do not litter in the lake.

Another important piece of information and tip is to keep in mind that Shikara’s are low-angled boats. So, if you are enjoying the ride with kids, please refrain the kids from bending to play with the water, 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.

Also Read: Things to do in Kashmir

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 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. )

Nishat Bagh – It’s the season of Spring and visiting a garden has to be on your list. Nishat Bagh is considered to be the second biggest Mughal Garden and overlooks the exquisite architecture of the Mughal era, which makes it a charming place to visit near Dal and Nigeen Lake. 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.

Hazrat Bal – This place is a pilgrimage place to visit near the lakes. Hazrat Bal is popularly known as “Dargah Sharif” or “Madinat-Us-Sani”. The shrine is considered to be the most divine Muslim shrine in India. Its name is a combination of the Persian word, Hazrat means respected and the Kashmiri word Bal, which means place. It was established by Inayat Begum, and it is a silvery white mosque that contains a relic known as “Moi-e- Muqquadas”. It is widely believed to be the hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Tourists can visit the mosque from the northern banks of Dal Lake.

Boulevard Road – A walk on this quiet and beautiful road will offer a panoramic view of Dal Lake. The Dal and Nigeen Lake stretch all along this tranquil road so you can keep walking and be charmed by the pristine beauty of the lake. You will also notice a number of locals here. They come to spend some time at the lake and catch up with friends over some tea and a breathtaking view. If you are hungry have a cup of tea and some snacks yourself. The view of the beautiful lake will be your perfect companion while you sip some tea. Also, there are multiple shops just around the road where you can buy handicrafts of Kashmir, clothes, local dry fruits and the most famous Kashmiri saffron.

Also Read: Places to visit in Srinagar

Important Information You Must Know Before You Visit the Lakes

The waters of Dal Lake are amazingly clear in the month of March. You can definitely make the most of that and go swimming in the lake. The houseboats are also equipped with diving boards and chutes. Swimming here can be quite refreshing. Make sure you enjoy it on a hot March afternoon. You might have the company of other fellow tourists as well. But make sure you come 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.

Don’t forget to catch the sunset at the lakes. But catching the sunset from the outside is no fun. Take a ride during sunset and 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. If you want to try your hand at it, just ask a local if they would let you. They are very friendly and never deny such requests.