LAKES IN JAMMU & KASHMIR

 

Surinsar Lake

Surinsar, at a distance of 9 kms from Mansar and about 42 km from Jammu is bordered by hills and dense forests. It is a smaller lake but as picturesque as Lake Mansar with an island situated in the middle. Religious taboos do not permit swimming or boating in the lake. It is a wetland and has a bird sanctuary rich in avifauna in its periphery.

Water birds of variety make this lake a bird watcher’s haven. To spend quality time one can visit Surinsar Lake having water based lotus garden. The lake is a great picturesque spot in summer when the surface is covered with countless lotus flowers. The hills in the backdrop of the lake separate it from the urban areas and provide a calm and divine feel.

There are many attractions and places to see and the tranquil peace in the lap of Mother Nature is quite refreshing. Excellent accommodation units with all the facilities near the lake are being provided by the Tourism Department. The lake and nearby area is eye soothing and known for the divine natural beauty.

Mansar Lake

Mansar is situated 64 kms from Jammu off the Jammu-Pathankot Highway. It’s a very picturesque lake with pine forested hills surrounding it on all sides. About a mile in length by half a mile in width the waters are crystal clear and very popular for boating. A peculiar feature of the lake is the presence of a large number of huge turtles in the lake. Besides, being a popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site, sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar

.There are several temples located on the periphery of the Lake. On the eastern bank of Mansar Lake there is a shrine dedicated to Sheshnag, a mythological snake with six heads. The shrine comprises a big boulder on which are placed a number of iron chains perhaps representing the small serpents waiting on the tutelary deity of the Sheshnag. Newlywed couples consider it auspicious to perform three circumambulations (Parikarma) around the lake to seek the blessings of Lord Sheshnag.

Two ancient temples of Umapati Mahadev and Narsimha and a temple of Durga are also situated in the vicinity of the Mansar Lake, which are visited by devotees in large numbers. People take a holy dip in the water of the lake on festive occasions. Certain communities of Hindus perform the Mundan ceremony (first hair cut) of their male children here. Boating facilities for recreational purpose is also available in Mansar Lake. With all religious belief and heritage behind the Mansar Lake,the picturesque lake is picking up fame among the tourists with all its splendor of flora and fauna.

The lake has cemented path all around with required illumination, with projected view decks to observe seasonal birds, tortoise and fishes of different species. There is a wild life sanctuary housing jungle life including Spotted Deer and Neelgai and water birds such as Cranes and Ducks. One can also witness the traditional and typical distinct life style of Gujjar and Bakarwals wearing ethnic costumes, living in open Kulhas in the hills around Mansar Lake.

Kausar Nag

Kausar Nag or Kausarnag (sometimes alternatively spelled as Konsarnag), is a high-altitude oligotrophic lake located in the Pir Panjal Range in the Kulgam District'sof Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is roughly 2 miles long and half a mile at the widest point. The trek to Kausarnag is via the famous waterfall of Aharbal. The lake is located in a valley that is surrounded by peaks on all sides with elevation in excess of 4000 metres above sea level.Kausar nag has an elevation of 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) above sea level.

Wular Lake

Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It is situated in Bandipora/Baramulla district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River. The lake's size varies seasonally from 12 to 100 square miles (30 to 260 square kilometers). The lake, with its big dimensions and the extent of water, gives rise to high leaping waves in the afternoons, called Ullola in Sanskrit, meaning "stormy leaping, high rising waves". Therefore, it was also being called Ullola.. The origin may also be attributed to a Kashmiri word 'Wul', which means a gap or a fissure, appellation that must have come also during this period. The lake is one of the 26 Indian wetlands designated as a Ramsar site.

Wular Lake is an important fish habitat, the main species being the common carp. Fish from Wular Lake make up a significant part of the diet for many thousands of people living on its shores and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley. Harvesting of water chestnut is also an attraction in wullar lake.

The lake sustains a rich population of birds. Terrestrial birds observed around the lake include the black-eared kite, Eurasian sparrowhawk, short-toed eagle, Himalayan golden eagle, Himalayan monal, chukar partridge, koklass pheasant, rock dove, common cuckoo, alpine swift, Indian roller, Himalayan woodpecker, hoopoe, barn swallow, golden oriole and others. The lake acts as a breeding ground for a large species of migratory birds.Besides the lake is a biotic reserve for a varied number of flora and fauna species.

In order to harness the tourism potential of the area a separate tourism developmental authority by the name “Wullar Manasbal Development Authority” has been created. The authority has developed some scenic points along the circumference of the two lakes of Wullar and Manasbal nowadays hot spots of tourist activities. Few of these include the sufi shrine of Baba shukur-ud-din at watlab and wullar vintage park at Saderkoot Bandipora. One can enjoy shikara rides, bird watching, fishing and related activities in these lakes.

Shrine of Baba Shukur-ud-din

A Sufi shrine situated at a hillock near watlab sopore in the name of Baba Shukur ud din who was one of the the four disciples of sufi saint Nundreshi. Baba is known for his assistance and many miracles performed by him and earned popularity among the local populous. It is said that baba shukur-ud-din dug a grave for himself and stepped into it. Lakhs of worshippersvisit his Ziarat for pilgrimage and to pay homage to the great saint who did not discrimnate between hindus and muslims. The peer baba is also known as Topandaz-e-kashmirand is locally believed to neutralize evils, for well being of people of kashmir. 27th of IslamicCalendar Month Jamadi-Us-Sani is celebrated the Urs of Baba Shakur-Ud-Din Wali

Dal Lake

The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres and has a shore line of about 15.5 kilometres which is encompassed by a boulevard lined with parks, houseboats and hotels. Its average elevation is 1,583 metres and the depth of water varies from 6 metres to 2.5 metres. Dal Lake is 7.44 kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres wide. There are dozens of habitations in the Dal Lake for whom this huge water body is an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting. The interiors of Dal Lake possess floating gardens, locally known as Rad. Besides lotus flowers, the Rads are used to cultivate a wide range of vegetables and can be easily shifted to another place if conditions demand so

Dal Lake harbours hundreds of houseboats and shikaras. To enjoy the vastness and the scenic views of the lake, shikara cruise is the best option. Colourfully decorated and immensely cozy shikaras are available on all sides of the Dal Lake. Nehru Park is one of the attractions for the tourists. It is an isle just away from the main boulevard road containing a park and a hotel. Char Chinar is one more island in the Dal that also is equally famous among the tourists. A long line of houseboats lay from Dalgate to Gagribal, providing visitors accommodation and night stay on the waters of Dal Lake, accommodating all kinds of pockets. There are scores of hotels and restaurants flanking the shores of Dal Lake that provide an opportunity for the tourists to enjoy the mesmerizing evenings at the banks of this magnificent lake.

Nundkol Lake

Nundkol Lake, a small but beautiful lake with crystal clear water, lies at the foothills of Harmukh mountain just 500 metres before Gangabal Lake and about 13 km from Naranag. The water from Gangabal flows into this lake and together they form the khankhari stream. However, Gangabal Lake is bigger and at higher elevation to the north of the lake. Surrounded by the lush green meadows, the banks of the Nundkol Lake serve as the camping site during the summers. Naranag is the nearest settlement and serves as the base camp for trekking to the lake. The trek to this lake meanders through gorgeous valleys and flower decked foothills. One can also hire ponies from Naranag for this joyous journey.

 

During the winter, the Lake freezes and is covered by mounds of snow. In the summers, the basin of the lake is surrounded by a sheet of alpine flowers. The geum, blue poppy, potentilla and gentian are relatively common. Hedysarum flowers are found in late spring throughout the area around the lake. The Nundkol Lake is stocked with trout especially the brown trout fish. The fishing is permitted to the licensed anglers

This Lake is accessible only during the summer; during the winter, the treks are closed because of the heavy snowfall. It can be reached from Srinagar, via a 65 km motorable road which leads through Ganderbal and Wayil to the Naranag trekking camp. The alpine meadows of Trunakhul and Badpathri lie at the halfway point of this two-day trek to the lake. An alternate trek starts from Chattergul village, 10 km to the west of Naranag which leads through the meadows of Mahlish. The lake can also be accessed through Bandipora and the five-day starting point of the trekking is Arin village. Tourists prefer Naranag trek and return via Gadsar Lake, Vishansar Lake and Sonamarg to cover most alpine lakes of the area.