Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in November – Jewels in the Crown of Kashmir!

Srinagar is considered to be the summer capital of Kashmir. There is a plethora of tourist spots in Srinagar but the most loved and most renowned of them all is Dal Lake and its extension Nigeen Lake.

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

Let’s begin with Nigeen Lake, also sometimes known as Nagin Lake. The lake is connected to Dal Lake via a narrow strait. It is also connected to the Khushal Sar and Gil Sar lakes via the Nallah Amir Khan channel. It is surrounded by willow and poplar trees that add to the charm of the water body.

It is referred to as “Nigeen”, which means “the jewel in the ring”. And truly the lake is a jewel in the crown of Kashmir.

The lake is located near the Hari Parbat hillock. And it lies to the west of Dal Lake. To the northeast of Nigeen Lake is Hazratbal, a famous shrine. The lake is a major tourist attraction in Srinagar, and its pristine waters are crystal clear. Houseboats and Shikaras are regular at the lake and the place is also ideal for swimming as it is deeper and less crowded compared to Dal Lake.

Coming to the very famous Dal Lake. It is not one lake but three. This is because it is a maze of intricate waterways and channels, floating islands of vegetation, and houseboats that sometimes look like islands and hotels on islands.

Just like Nigeen Lake even Dal Lake is the jewel of the valley, spread over 16-20 km and the second-largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir. The crystal-clear lake reflects the snow-dusted peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains and an even better view is of the colourful shikaras floating around. Don’t forget the amazing floating market, which is the highlight of the lake and a unique selling point as well. In the local language, it is known as Raad, where vendors have their own Shikaras and approach tourists with their most endearing handicrafts, saffron, edibles and even ice-creams. November is the beginning of the winter months so there is little to no snowfall and hence the lake is not frozen yet. You can make the most of it and also enjoy your Shikara ride there.

Suggested Read: Reasons to visit Srinagar in November

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During November

The weather in Srinagar during the month of November is chilly. The winters have become and however the afternoon is pleasant and the sun is shining brightly but the evening starts to become cold. The temperature during the day ranges from 10°C to 20°C and at night it may drop to 0°C and sometimes it also runs into minus. During the day you can go enjoy the lakes and if you are okay with the cold you can also take a quiet walk around the lake.

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

Below are three ways you can reach Dal and Nigeen Lake located in 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. )

By Rail – If you wish to travel to Srinagar by train, you have to board a train to Jammu. The valley of Kashmir does not have a railhead and the closest station to Srinagar is in Jammu, 300kms away. Jammu Tawi Railway station has trains to and from the major cities of India so you can get connectivity easily. From Jammu station, a taxi or bus is available for your journey to Srinagar or any other part of Kashmir that you wish to visit.

By Air – One of the best, fastest and most convenient ways of reaching Srinagar is by flight. Srinagar’s Sheikh-Ul-Alam International Airport is well connected to almost all the cities of India. Plus, the lakes are within a 22minute drive from the airport. Once at the airport, you can take a taxi to reach your final destination.

By Road – If you are up for a road trip to Kashmir in November, you have to cross Punjab and Himachal via National Highway 44. You can either travel by a state bus, hire a car or self-drive. If you are adventurous enough you can also take a bike trip.

Suggested Read: How to Reach Srinagar

Food And Drink Facility at The Lakes

There are multiple outlets near Dal Lake where you can go quench your hunger.

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 )

Firstly, you can check out the nearby restaurants and cafes near the lakes. Find a nice cosy café or restaurant for yourself overlooking the lakes when you are hungry.

To add to that, you can also treat yourself to come ice-cream or chocolates while taking the Shikara ride. Yes, you can actually do that. All thanks to the floating marketing and local Shikara vendors. 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.

Lastly, if you are taking a walk at Boulevard Road, overlooking the lake, you will find local tea shops around selling some amazing tea, Kahwah and snacks.

Important Information and Tips

Dal Lake has interconnected lakes and channels, buildings on stilts, floating gardens and houseboats which comes as a surprise to tourists. The 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 approximately 16-20 sq. km.

The Dal and Nigeen lakes are famous for their beauty and tranquillity. So, make sure you do not litter in the lake.

To add to that, Shikara’s are usually 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.

Avoid smoking and alcohol in and around the lake.

Also Read: Places to visit in Srinagar

Nearby Attraction of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake are considered urban lakes and have a lot of interesting sightseeing locations around them. located in Srinagar. If you are visiting Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, below are three must-visit places 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 – Nishat Bagh is the second biggest Mughal Garden. It overlooks exquisite architecture from the Mughal era. Its beautiful terrace garden is built on the eastern side of Dal Lake and it makes you feel like it is out of a beautiful painting. You will feel at peace at this place overlooking the glittering lake and with the snow-capped Zabarwan mountains in their background. The name “Nishat Bagh” is symbolic of “garden of joy” and ”garden of delight”, which it truly is.

Hazrat Bal – It is place is a pilgrimage place to visit near the lakes. Popularly known as “Dargah Sharif” or “Madinat-Us-Sani” the shrine is considered to be the most divine Muslim shrine. Its name is a combination of the Persian word, Hazrat means respected and the Kashmiri word Bal, which means place. The place was established by Inayat Begum and legend has it that it contains a relic known as “Moi-e- Muqquadas”, which is widely believed to be the hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Boulevard Road – If you wish to have a panoramic view of Dal Lake, you must take a walk down Boulevard Road. The Dal and Nigeen Lake stretch all along this beautiful road. If you are hungry or need some warmth, have a cup of tea and some snacks that the locals sell around the lake. You will find a number of locals around here. This road seems to be a favourite amongst them. And why not? The beauty attracts the locals even. The view of the beautiful lake will be your perfect companion while you sip some hot tea, so go for it. 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: Kashmir Travel Guide for November

Important Information You Must Know Before You Visit the Lakes

During the month of November, the lake is too chilly to swim. So, refrain from that, unless you are really adventurous and used to swimming in such cold temperatures.

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 golden sunset from the outside is no fun. Book a Shikara ride around the same time and anchor your Shikara in the middle of the lake and watch the beautiful sunset, amidst the magnetic mountains.

In addition to this, fishing is also another activity you can experience at the lake. However, tourists are not allowed fishing at the lake but if you wish to try your hand at it, just ask a local if they would let you. They are very friendly and never deny such requests.