Srinagar's Sparkling network of waterways have been serving the valley since time immemorial, influencing not just its distinct landscape, but also its unique way of life.
The Dal lake itself is a fascinating garden of floating lotuses, and it is here that the Hanjis, (Srinagar's Community of boat people) have leart to make a blooming business out of tourism.
Though Kashmir has a rich tradition of boat-building with vessels such as Bhats, demb and Shikaras, the most inspiring for tourists - the symbolic - The Houseboat - is actually a colonial legacy.
It is said that, M.T. Kennard designed the first house boat in 1888.
Today, house boats made of Cedar range from the basic to extremely luxurious, boasting of five-star comfort, with three or more rooms, complete with ornately carved furniture and exquisite Kashmiri carpets, western style bathrooms with bath-Tub, Hot water showers, satellite TV, Verandahs, sun-decks, and porches. Attached to the House-boats are the Kitchen boats where the owners cook and serve up delicacies. Each House boat comes with its particular Shikara or the small taxi-boat with its heart shaped oars.
One can sit in the balcony, Sun-deck, or in the Verandah and sip tea and watch life go floating by. You can see floating vegetable market on a Shikara, Ice-cream vendor, Light refreshments, jewellery, Photo-graphers with kashmiri dress in their deck and what not !! In all, approximately 2500 + House boats are located in Dal, Nagin and Jhelum water bodies.
We stayed in THE BOUSITE House Boat for one Night and in THE NEW LUCIFER House Boat- the second night.
Though Kashmir has a rich tradition of boat-building with vessels such as Bhats, demb and Shikaras, the most inspiring for tourists - the symbolic - The Houseboat - is actually a colonial legacy.
It is said that, M.T. Kennard designed the first house boat in 1888.
Today, house boats made of Cedar range from the basic to extremely luxurious, boasting of five-star comfort, with three or more rooms, complete with ornately carved furniture and exquisite Kashmiri carpets, western style bathrooms with bath-Tub, Hot water showers, satellite TV, Verandahs, sun-decks, and porches. Attached to the House-boats are the Kitchen boats where the owners cook and serve up delicacies. Each House boat comes with its particular Shikara or the small taxi-boat with its heart shaped oars.
One can sit in the balcony, Sun-deck, or in the Verandah and sip tea and watch life go floating by. You can see floating vegetable market on a Shikara, Ice-cream vendor, Light refreshments, jewellery, Photo-graphers with kashmiri dress in their deck and what not !! In all, approximately 2500 + House boats are located in Dal, Nagin and Jhelum water bodies.
We stayed in THE BOUSITE House Boat for one Night and in THE NEW LUCIFER House Boat- the second night. —
