This is one of those where words aren’t going to do it justice. So before you read any further, go and do an Image Search for Dal Lake. I’ll wait…
Go on…
Seriously, go and look then come back and tell me if it isn’t one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever seen?
I’m a sucker for a lake. If you surround it with mountains, gardens and traditional buildings, then pop floating markets, accommodation and general trade onto it, I’m there. There – in this case – being Srinagar in Jannu & Kashmir territory, the summer resort of the Mughal rulers of India. The lake blooms with lotus flowers in July and August and is also home to floating gardens which make the most of the nutrient rich waters to generate crops of melons, tomatoes and cucumbers. It’s not all good news: there are issues related to water quality and pollution which threaten the lake. But for a brief moment, you can imagine losing yourself on one of those little wooden boats, your bare fingers trailing in the water and the rest of the world seems very far away….
Stamp of the Day 