Kashmir – A Paradise on Earth

Dal Lake is a lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The urban lake, which is the second largest in the state, is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is nicknamed the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" or "Srinagar's Jewel". The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting. The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometers (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometers (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens. The floating gardens, known as "Rad" in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August. The Lake is popular as a visitor attraction and a summer resort. Houseboats and the Dal Lake are widely associated with Srinagar and are nicknamed " floating palaced" built according to British customs. The lake has numerous sites and places of interest, many of which are important to the cultural heritage of Srinagar. A famous landmark in Srinagar is an island on Dal Lake where four Chinar (Platanus orientalis) trees stand, named " Char Chinar".