Dal Lake

About Dal Lake:

• It is a popular lake situated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains.
• It is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
• It is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens.
• The floating gardens, known as “Raad” in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers duringJuly and August.
• The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered an independent lake).
• The shoreline of the lake, is about 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal era gardens, parks, houseboats, and hotels.
• Dal Lake is also popular for the floating market where vendorshave their own Shikaras/wooden boats and approach tourists.
• The depth of water varies from 6 metres at its deepest to 2.5 metres at its shallowest. 
• During the winter season, the temperature sometimes reaches −11 °C (12 °F), freezing the lake.
• Islands:
• Dal Lake includes 3 islands, 2 of which are marked with beautiful Chinar trees.
• The island located on the Lakut Dal is known as Roph Lank (Silver Island), is marked with the presence of majestic Chinar trees at the four corners, thus known as Char-Chinari (Four Chinars).

The second Chinar Island, known as Sone Lank (Gold Island), is located on the Bod Dal (Big Dal) and overlooks the holy shrine of Hazratbal.

Q1: What is the Pir Panjal Range?

It is a group of mountains in the Inner Himalayan region. It runs from east-southeast (ESE) to west-northwest (WNW) across the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir.

Source: Three bodies found in Dal Lake identified, probe underway