Wular Lake, Srinagar - Timings, Boating, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 67 km from Srinagar, Wular Lake is a freshwater lake located near Bandipora town in Jammu and Kashmir. Situated on the foothills of the Haramuk Mountains, it is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia and among the popular places to visit near Srinagar.

Situated at an altitude of 1580 m, Wular Lake is the largest freshwater lake in India. The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity due to which the area covered by the water body varies throughout the year, which is unique to this destination. The size of the lake is 24 km long and 10 km wide, but it varies according to season and the varying water levels. The maximum depth of the lake is 14 m. Wular Lake is replenished by the water of the mighty Jhelum River and is one of the 49 wetlands designated as Ramsar sites in India.

Mythology has it that Kashmir was once entirely covered by water bodies known as Satisaras (after Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva). The mythological Rishi Kashyap drained the water from the area by opening a gap in the hills near a place called Varahamula. In fact, the etymology of Kashmir is traced back to rishi Kashyap, the manasputra of Lord Brahma. The lake once gave rise to high waves and thus got its name 'Ullola' meaning rising waves in Sanskrit. Over centuries, the name came down to Wular or Wullar.
Wular Lake, once upon a time had covered an area of 217 sq. kilometers along with a small island in its center called the 'Zaina Lank', which was built by King Zainul-Abi-Din. Now, the area of the lake was reduced to 86 sq. km. Most of the area has been lost to agriculture, plantations, and habitation. Wular Lake is an important fish habitat, and the fish from Wular Lake make up a significant part of the diet of thousands of people living on its shores and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley. More than eight thousand fishermen earn their livelihood from the lake. Their catch comprises about 60 percent of the total yield of fish in Kashmir. Many other families harvest plants such as the grass Phragmites and the waterlily-like Nymphoides from the lake for animal fodder.

A favorite picnic and sunset spot among locals and tourists alike, the serene and scintillating waters of this lake allow the visitors to indulge in a plethora of fun-filled water activities including boating and water skiing. With a stellar sunset view, it stands as a famous picnic spot for nature lovers. The lake also invites birdwatchers, who enjoy spotting many terrestrial birds including the Himalayan Woodpecker, Golden Oriole, Barn Swallow, Himalayan Monal, and Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Koklass Pheasant, Alpine Swift, and Chukar Partridge.

One can reach the Wular Lake easily by hiring a local taxi from Srinagar City.

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM

Entry: Free