A vibrant morning market, floating cafes and houseboats, dramatic sunsets and more on a day in a shikara in Srinagar's Dal Lake
In pictures: Dawn to dusk on the Dal Lake
A shikara ride unveils scenes of mesmerising beauty and daily lives play out on the water
Rumela Basu
Published 13.06.22, 06:14 PM
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Morning rush: On an early morning shikara ride on the Dal, you will be greeted by many a ‘Mr Wonderful Flower Man’ with their bouquets of colourful blooms
All images by Rumela Basu
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Cacophony: One of the most interesting parts of a morning sail is the sudden plunge from silence to cacophony when visiting the early-morning wholesale floating vegetable market. Farmers and vendors gather on the water in their boats to buy and sell fresh produce
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Just market shares: Apart from selling their wares, this time is also for sharing hookahs and catching up. Whether buyer or seller, chances are you won’t be refused if you ask for a puff from a hookah or cigarette
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Early residents: Wading through the tall grasses growing close to the shores, you can often spot a variety of waterbirds including storks and ducks
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An abode on the water: If you’re in Srinagar, spending a night on a house boat on the Dal is highly recommended. Wake up to watch the sun paint the water and sip on a ‘kahwa’
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No bad frame: There’s no photo-op gone bad on this ride. Cradled in the midst of lofty mountains, the mirror-like still waters create a postcard-perfect frame every time
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Life on the water: In the midst of colourful shikaras, scenes from everyday life like girls going to school or people going to their jobs offer an insight into how the lake is as much a connecting lifeline as a travel location
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Evening sojourn: Mornings and evenings offer similar yet different experiences. The end of the day is more mellow with people returning home, the light changing over the water and a welcome silence
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Kahwa break: Definitely stop for a cup of hot Kashmiri kahwa before you set sail to watch the sun set in the water
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Colours of dusk: Sunsets are dramatic on the Dal. With the water reflecting the sky and every contour on the shore, the play of fiery colours and dark shadows are like a painting come alive
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Blues: Post sunset, there seems to be renewed energy imbibed into the atmosphere around and on the lake. Lights flicker from shops and in shikaras and there’s a gentle buzz in the air
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A glittery night market: The fact that Dal is as much a part of the everyday as the occasional really shows through when passing through the lit-up night market. While tourists will stop once in a while to buy a shawl or a handicraft, locals often shop from these stores on the water
