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A Day on the Dal Lake

“Agar Firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast,
Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o, hameen ast.”

I have heard this couplet, by Amir Khusrau, many times but the full meaning of it dawned upon me when I found myself on the banks of the heavenly Dal Lake in Srinagar. It is a wonder and one has to experience it through all of one’s senses. Nothing I had read or heard about this place did justice to this paradise.

I was lucky to have got the chance to live in Srinagar, just a 5-minute walk from the Dal. My evenings and early mornings would be spent walking on the Boulevard along the Dal, having roasted corn on Foreshore Road by the Dal or laying idyllically on a Shikara floating on the Dal. My weekends would be spent exploring Srinagar and no matter where I went, Pari Mahal or Shankaracharya or Nishat Bagh, the Dal was always there- enchanting and magnetic. It grew on me and became one of my most favorite places in the world. Through this photo journey, I wish to take you on a tour of this paradise, from the commercial to the untouched, natural beauty.

The calm waters of the Dal, the innocent smiles of the locals, the selfless hospitality & humility of the Kashmiri people, the backdrop of the majestic mountains, the mouth watering delicacies, the magnificence of this place have left me in awe of God’s creation and immense adoration for the people who call this place their home.

Author:
Anahita Suri, Assistant Professor, School of Fashion Design, Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID)

Disclaimer: The opinions / views expressed in this article are solely of the author in his / her individual capacity. They do not purport to reflect the opinions and/or views of the College and/or University or its members.