The Dal a famous lake in Kashmir a most liked by foreigners and they wanted to settle down on this beautiful blue lake where they could enjoy their vacations as they were burned by the heat of Indian plains.
The concept of building a houseboats in kashmir came in the 18th century when the British came to Kashmir for spending their summers. Kashmir being the cool place was used as a retreat to escape the heat of northern India like Punjab, Delhi & uttar pradesh. As the British Indian army officers came with their families to Kashmir the maharaja of Kashmir denied them any land to build houses, so these smart people took water for their abode. the houseboats came into existence. the local carpenters were hired to build the frame of houseboat,then people who knew the art of wood carving began to carve chinar leaves, different patterns of flowers and other designs of woodwork known at that time in the interiors of the boat.the laying and the style of walnut wood furniture was same as in Victorian England. Houseboats have since then passed from generations to generations right now there are 1500 houseboats in Dal lake and several hundred can be found in Nigeen lake and jehlum river.
| lobby of a houseboat |
| sitting room in houseboat |
| inside houseboat |
Mostly tourists stay in the houseboats which are located in Dal lake.this lake is very big and is well known across the world.people live in Dal lake with their families and they take care of their houseboats.every tourist who takes a Kashmir package tour will stay in houseboat.newly wed couples who come for their Honeymoon in kashmir enjoy shikara rides and they love to relax and pass their time in these boats.the people who run the houseboats are very professional and provide excellent service and hospitality to their guests.they make special wazwan meals and arrange musical programs on demand of the guest.the guests enjoy the delicious home cooked meals they prefer to eat in houseboats rather than in restaurants or roadside dhabas.
people love to stay in houseboats as they are different than hotels they provide a unique new experience to the guests and equipped with all modern amenities and prompt services the houseboat people make sure to provide highest standards of service and support to heir guests this is the only reason they still exist till today
because they know how to make their guests happy.
| Houseboat in Dal lake |
