The Autumnal Face of Dal Lake

I visited the legendary Dal lake during the autumn when the magnificent Chinar trees around the lake wore a golden-brown hue. The bright orange sunlight that fell on the chinar leaves created a magical spell that took our breath away.

There was a play of mist and sunlight in the early morning air as we breathed in its crispy freshness. Colorful shikaras of varied shapes awaited us, and the Feran-clad Kashmiri boatsmen puffed away at their hookahs merrily as they created a perfect picture of togetherness. These men are hard-working and courteous, as was evident by the way they flashed smiles. My eyes admired the faint blush that spread over their rugged, weather-beaten faces and their liquid blue eyes that shone with a strange light!

We hired two shikaras and stepped into them. The calm blue lake glistened, kissed by the autumn sunlight, and the boatsmen lustily dipped their oars into the chill waters of the lake, creating furrows. We reclined ourselves on the velvet bright-colored cushions, surrounded by colorful canopies of floral pattern. It was a relaxed, romantic ride when time seemed not to slip out of hand. A few tourists clicked away from the jaw-dropping views of the pine-covered Himalayas overlooking the lake from all corners.

 The pine trees stood in tall greenness on the majestic mountains in different geometric patterns while the Chinars, nearby, blushed fiery orange as my eyes thirstily soaked in the Autumnal color of the leaves. Phyto planktons, in all their green freshness, soothed our eyes as we looked at the calm lake shining emerald green at times. The water was so transparent! The blooming lilies in the lake so pink! The lotuses stood like white swans.

 The distant snow-clad mountains glistened white with a streak of orange as sunlight reflected on them. The pine-covered mountains, on the other side, created multiple shades of green!

The air was misty, and the chill in the air whispered the message of the onset of winter. The boatsman regaled us with local tunes, and as the wild, powerful melodies floating in the air, I breathed in the essence of the romantic valley. Some Kashmiri beauties rode by, heading towards their home that floated on the lake to the other corner. They carried vegetables, fuels, and things of daily needs.

The faded feran of those women could not dim their dewdrop untouched beauty. I wondered at their radiant smiles despite life’s harsh dictates on them. Their aquiline nose, sky blue eyes, and blushing cheeks seemed to be in striking harmony with the natural abundance that has fostered them!

 Vegetables and exotic fruits grow in abundance by the lakeside villagers to eke out their living. There are Government-owned shops around the lake that we visited to buy carp, feran, woolens, pashmina, shawls, sarees, and floral bed covers. I remember the courteous salesmen for their “Tameez.” The kehwa or special Kashmiri saffron chai offered to us elevated our mood. We returned to our hotel wearing the aura of the wondrous valley that awakened our body and mind to the magnificence that we discovered in the rugged landscapes of Sonamarg.

Visited October 2012

Review submitted December 2012