Riding the Shikaras on Dal Lake

The Kashmir Valley is a very picturesque valley nestled between the Himalayan Ranges. The first thing I noticed here was the Dal Lake which is a lifeline for the locals. I took a Shikara, a beautiful wooden boat that looks like a gondola, to explore the lake. The Shikara ride was peaceful and scenic with the view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. The Shikara driver told me that during winters, the lake freezes and people even set up markets on it. The lake is also home to many floating gardens which are unique to the region. These Shikaras are also used for transportation of goods and passengers to various markets and homes on the banks of the lake.