Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in February – The Jewels of Srinagar

Srinagar, as we all know it, is the summer capital of Kashmir. It is known for its many sightseeing spots but the most renowned have to be Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. These lakes are famous for their tranquillity, Shikara rides, and houseboat stays.

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. )

Nigeen Lake, also sometimes known as Nagin Lake is mildly eutrophic. The lake makes a part of the Dal Lake and is connected to it via a narrow strait. Also connected to the Khushal Sar and Gil Sar lakes via the Nallah Amir Khan channel. Nigeen lake houses an array of willow and poplar trees. That’s the reason it is also referred “Nigeen”, which means “the jewel in the ring”. The lake is located adjacent to the Hari Parbat hillock and lies to the west of Dal Lake. To the northeast of Nigeen Lake is Hazratbal, which is known as the famous shrine. The lake is a major tourist attraction in Srinagar, and its pristine waters are what charms tourists. Houseboats and Shikaras are regular but the lake is also ideal for swimming as it is less crowded than Dal Lake.

Dal Lake makes of the most impressive locations in Srinagar. However, it is not really one lake but three. Furthermore, it’s not your regular lake, it’s a maze of intricate waterways and channels, floating islands of vegetation, and houseboats that sometimes look like islands and hotels on islands. But the lake however is beautiful. It is the Jewel of Srinagar spread over 16 to 20 km and the second-largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir. The picture clear lake reflects the snow-dusted peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains while the colourful shikaras float around. Dal Lake is also very famous for its unique floating market. 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. During winter you can also experience ice skating at the lake because the lake is frozen.

Suggested Read: Places to visit in Srinagar

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During February

The average temperature of Kashmir in February is 3.8° C with an average low of -0.7 °C. The average range is approximately 8.9 °C. In the month of February, the weather is mostly dry. There are chances of rain or snow. Some parts of the valley receive a lot of snow too but the Dal and Nigeen Lake are not always frozen. Only the upper layer of water might get frozen, which usually gets dissolved during the day itself. Staying in a houseboat in winter is an experience in itself, especially if you are there for a honeymoon. Early in the morning, when you look out of the houseboat it will feel like you are parked on a blanket of fog, surrounded by snow-capped mountains in the middle of the lake.

Suggested Read: Kashmir weather in February

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake are located in Srinagar. But unfortunately, Srinagar does not have a working railway station as yet. The closet is in Jammu, 300kms away. So, if you are taking a train journey then you need to travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station first. From the station, you can hitch a cab ride or even take a bus to the summer capital of Kashmir, Srinagar.

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

However, the lakes 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.

If you are planning to self-drive to Kashmir, then make sure you stay in Srinagar to visit the Dal and Nigeen Lake. You can drive to the capital city from wherever you are based. February is an ideal time to take a road trip as well. The snow-capped mountains work as your background and the scenic views will make your drive worthwhile.

Suggested Read: How to Reach Srinagar

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. To add to that, you can also treat yourself to come ice-cream or chocolates while taking the Shikara ride. All credit to the floating market at Dal and Nigeen Lake. 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.

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. )

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.

Important Information and Tips

As mentioned, 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 around 16 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.

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.

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 and Nigeen Lake are considered urban lakes located in Srinagar. It is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir considered the most-visited destination in the valley. If you are visiting Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, below are three must-visit places near the lakes.

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 )

Nishat Bagh – Nishat Bagh is the second biggest Mughal Garden. It overlooks an exquisite architectural outlook, which makes it a charming place to visit near Dal and Nigeen Lake. The garden justifies what Mughal Gardens were like in those times. Its beautiful terrace garden built on the eastern side of Dal Lake is a reflection of what heaven on earth would be like. So peaceful, so tranquil and so beautiful. You will find Persian lilacs and pansies with their water cascading terraces.

The name “Nishat Bagh” is symbolic of “garden of joy” and ”garden of delight”. The garden has a backdrop of the Zabarwan mountains and gives a spectacular view of Dal Lake and the Pir Panjal Mountain range.

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 also visit Hazrat Bal Shrine on the northern banks of Dal Lake.

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. This is also a hot spot for the locals. They flock here during the evening to sip on some tea and snacks and catch up with their friends. If you are hungry or need some warmth, have a cup of tea and some snacks yourself. The view of the beautiful lake will be your perfect companion while you sip some hot 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.

Important Information You Must Know Before You Visit the Lakes

During the month of February, the lakes might be partially frozen. So, you must be prepared for the same.

Sometimes, if the lake is heavily frozen, which is not the case in February, but if it is then 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.

In case 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.