It’s that time of the year when you are to be left enchanted with the beauty of this stunning Union Territory of India, which is famously known as the “Swiss of India” and rightly said so – Welcome to Kashmir!
During my small gateway to this breathtaking valley, I had the chance to tick a box from my travel diaries which was to have my “Bumbro” moment from one of the popular Bollywood movies – Mission Kashmir which I grew up watching.
Here I stand at Dal Lake, one of the most renowned lakes and top tourist destinations. The water in the lake appears noticeably cleaner than described in articles, and I hope for a swift resolution to the sewage issue, promising even clearer waters in the near future.
How to get to Dal Lake? I had my hotel book a cab for me and if you stay anywhere close by Dal Lake then I highly recommend walking by this lake because you will be captivated with its beauty!
I took the shikara which is a boat, to tour the lake which is home to many houseboats, one of which is where the aforementioned movie was shot.
How much does a Shikara ride cost? I visited in April of 2023 and paid 1500 rupees for an hour.
As soon as you sit in the shikara, you will find yourself surrounded by local sellers trying their best to sell their products. It can be a bit overwhelming when they continue to float right next to you even if you do not show interest in purchasing anything.
However, what you must do when you are in Dal lake, is dress up in their traditional Kashmiri attire and have yourself photographed, which is precisely what I did embracing my “Bumbro” moment!
Be warned though, that some of them can be really hard to bargain with. The person who offered to rent me the dress and take my photographs had initially said he would charge 300 rupees per photograph but ended up demanding that I take all 10 of the photos and pay him 3000 rupees, or else he won’t give me even one. They are smart enough to not let you take any photos from your phone or if you do they will ask you to delete that very instant if you are not willing to purchase the photographs.
A word of advice: Discuss the number of photos and prices beforehand in order to avoid wastage of your shikara ride time and dampening your mood!
Shikara ride is all about enjoying the moment, taking in the surreal views created by the Universe, of the lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains and clear blue sky above, makes for a perfect postcard. Remember to visit their floating post office after enjoying some hot bhajiya’s and tea from one of the floating cafes.
Continue to enjoy your ride through the floating market of Kashmir, where you will see numerous clothing shops and gift stores. A little further will be the floating park where you can walk.
Once your shikara ride concludes, you could consider embarking on a spiritual journey by visiting the Shankaracharya Temple, located uphill, followed by 200 steps, giving you a 360-degree view of this mesmerizing Union Territory of India.
If you wish to see the floating vegetable market, then a morning visit is a must. Hopefully, if it’s true to word, you might even avoid crowds. I must inform you, I had visited in the evening and witnessed a calm serene experience atmosphere.
Please reach out to me if you need any assistance with planning your holiday to Kashmir. I would be delighted to help!
FoodBae 
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