I have fond memories about Dal Lake. As far as I remember Dal lake is a maze of complex waterways. It was intresting for me to know that Dal lake is divided into Gagribal, Lokut Dal and Bod Dal by series of causeways. I was quite mazed by the water of Dal lake that was crystal clear. As I navigated the Dal lake, many other facts came out. I took a Shikara, a boat, and asked the manager of the Shikara to decorate it with flowers in order to get a romantic feeling. And believe me! it was a nice decision on my part. I almost enhanced the beauty of Shikara that floated on equally exotic lake.

The boat man took me two islands in the lake-Silver Island or Sona Lank and Gold Island or Rupa Lank. Silver Island is on the north end of the lake and Gold Island is on the south. Intrestingly both are also known as Char Chinar as they have four chinar trees on them.

" Sir, more tapu" said the boatman, Yasser. At first I was not able to get what he wanted to say. Then as I forced my mind, and I came to know that he was telling me about one more Island. And I asked him yo take me to that Tapu.(Tapu means Island). The third Island was Nehru Park at the end of the main stretch of the lake side.

As I saerched through net, I got aquainted with the fact that Dal lake is one of the most beautiful lakes of India and the second largest in the J&K state. While enjoying the boating, I found that the exotic lake three is surrounded by majestic mountains on the three sides and a large number of gardens and orchards have been laid along the shores. Dal Lake is unique in having hundreds of houseboats, which afford an opportunity to tourists to reside on the lake in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.