The Dal Lake which has the length of 8 Km long and a width of 4 Km, spreads over a total of 26 Sq. Km. The fascinating Dal Lake is divided into two smaller ones the Lokut (small) and Bod (big) Dal. The south western part of the lake has a maximum depth of approximately 12 M. the Dal Lake gets some of its water from spring but is also supplemented by water from the mountain lake, Mar Sar. In the western part of the Lake one can glimpse a few islands, some bigger, some smaller.

Its shores are very fertile and surrounded by willows. Potato, tomato, pumpkin, cucumber, radish and lots of other vegetables are grown here cultivation of the floating gardens which also lie in this part of the lake is another interesting feature. These gardens consist of reed rafts of different lengths and a width of approximately one and a half by three meters and are covered by 1020 CM thick layer of earth and mud. Vegetables and melons are grown on these artificial floating islands.

Dal Lake is, initially, one of the most confusing parts of Srinagar for it's not really one lake at all, but three. Further more much of it is hardly what one would expect a lake to be like - it's a maze of intricate waterways and channels, floating islands of vegetation, houseboats that look so firmly moored they could almost be islands and hotels on islands which look like they could simply float away.

The Fascinating Sight Near Dal
Starting from the Dal lake is the smaller Nagin Lake. Here, the waters are bordered by trees of willow and poplar. The waters of the lakes are refreshingly cool from mid-May to mid-September.

Nagin Lake, which is at distance from town, has magnificent display of the mountains. The sight of the floating market is truly awe-inspiring. Salesmen paddle from one boat to another, selling everything you could want - like fruit, nuts, fresh flowers, cold drinks, film, baked goods, papier-mache boxes, woolen shawls, silk carpets, leather goods, money-exchanging services and lots more. The gentle soothing movement of the boats, as it glides along the water of these lakes, is awesome.