Floating Market Dal Lake
Overview
Floating Market, Dal Lake, Srinagar is one of the top attractions of the valley. As you visit the lake, you’ll see that it is a separate world since it is huge. A small island on the lake here inhabits an entire village and the locals cultivate flowers and vegetables here. The market is located in the same village.
Even though it only lasts for about an hour, various visitors are seen here. It takes place right in the middle of the lake as vendors arrive here with their boats filled with vegetables. Nowadays, even different architectures are available to purchase here.
Those include Pashmina shawls, carpets, jewellery, etc. While tourists can buy different things at the market like vegetables, flower seeds and small plants, souvenirs, it is really about the experience. Visit the market via Shikara rides. Here you witness how the countryside life works in the city. You see a different side of the majestic Dal Lake.
Some locals even sell breakfast here like Kahwa and local bread. You can enjoy the scenic sight while sipping a hot steaming cup of Kahwa. Contact Cliffhangers India to help you arrange a trip to the floating vegetable market of Srinagar. Here’s a detailed guide about the same. Have a glance!
Best Time to Visit Floating Market
Floating market, Dal Lake, is operational most of the year. However the best time to visit the market is in summer, lasting from April to November. The weather is pleasant and the temperature is mild. It ranges between 20°C to 25°C. Even in the early mornings, you wouldn’t feel chilly.
In the extreme winter and spring season, the market doesn’t open as there’s no vegetable to sell at that time. Apart from that, you can visit there anytime. The opening timing of the market may be a bit late in winter when it’s still dark even at 6 AM. You can talk to locals about the expected time of the market to open. Make sure to wear clothes according to the weather.
You must wear heavy woolens in the winter season with extra accessories like gloves, beanies, etc. Even in summer, you can carry a light sweater or cardigan just to be safe. It might be a bit cold in the early mornings.
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Floating Beauty: Vegetables and Flowers of Dal Lake
Floating Vegetable Market
The floating vegetable market starts in the early morning at Dal Lake. The vegetables sold here are grown in the middle of the lake.
By 6 o’clock in the morning, various vendors gather around with colorful vegetables on their wooden boats. They sell it to the hawkers who also visit there. The purchased vegetables are sold again in the local markets at higher rates.
It is done in a rather informal or mobile setting like on a vegetable cart. While the entire scene looks like a “Sabji Mandi” as seen in other parts of the country, it is much prettier.
Even though it is mostly a commercial activity, it has become a local attraction. Tourists often wake up early in the morning to visit the floating Vegetable Market. It generally lasts for an hour. Before the sunrise, the market disappears.
Floating Flower Market
Floating vegetable market is also called a floating flower market. It should be noted that there’s no flowers or bouquets available here for sale. There’s only flower seeds and flower saplings to purchase.
If you are looking to plant vibrant flower plants in your garden back home, you can surely get either the seeds or small plants.
They are at an affordable price. You can easily get Shikaras at Dal Gates to reach the market.
How to Plan a Trip to Floating Market Dal Lake
Plan a trip to the floating market in the early hours of the morning. The market is only for an hour and starts early in the morning even before sunrise. You must be up early to see it. Arranging the Shikaras to reach the market depends on where you are staying. If you are on a houseboat at Dal Lake, you can simply request the owner and he will arrange one for you.
In case of hotel accommodation, you will have to reach Dal Lake near Ghat no. 7. There you will see some Shikaras on the shore. The owners would be preparing for the day. Book a ride with one of them and they will be more than happy to take you to the floating market.
If you really are interested in visiting there, you can’t afford to be lazy. Be at the lake by 6 AM and in a few minutes, you’ll be enjoying the scenes of the floating market.
Is it Worth visiting?
Yes, it is completely worth visiting. Imagine a scenery where you are relaxing in a adorned Shikara boat and a vibrant market unfolds in front of you and most of all, you are in the middle of the most beautiful lake of Kashmir. The imagination itself gives you chills. Experiencing it in person is memorable.
It is every photographer’s bliss. If you are into photography, it is the ideal attraction to visit. The Dal Lake floating market looks stunning especially in the autumn season. The different colours envelop the lake in the early morning before the sun rises.
You can click some postcard perfect pictures that are totally Instagrammable. You will come here for the beauty and stay here for the experience.
Essential Information
How to Reach
To visit the floating market at Dal Lake, you have to visit Srinagar first. The one and only airport present here is Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport. As you reach the airport, book a taxi to reach your hotel or houseboat stays, whichever you have picked.
Spend the night there. Try to book hotels close to Dal lake so that you can be at the right time in the morning. In the early morning, wakeup by 5 and get ready.
Reach Dal Lake by 6 and book a Shikara ride. It will take you to the floating market and you will be just in time for the unforgettable experience.
Cost of Skikara Ride
The cost of Shikara rides to reach floating market Dal Lake cost somewhere between INR 1000-2000. It depends on which one you are choosing and the number of people accompanying you.
However, it largely depends on how you are booking the rides. If someone else is doing it on your behalf and has contacts, you might get a good deal.
You must have good negotiation skills when going for on spot booking. The rides are often overpriced especially for tourists and people often end up paying more.
FAQ's
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