Shikara, the small wooden carved boat, usually seen at Dal Lake and Nagin Lake of Srinagar, is one of the compelling attractions of the city. Like the Venetian gondolas, they are a cultural symbol of Kashmir. A … shikaras are of various sizes and are used for multiple purposes, including transportation. [1][2], The craft relies on deodar wood (which does not decompose in water) ranges from 25 to 41 feet in length. That incident was the turning point for Patloo. I wish no one goes through what I did,” he tells The Better India. Houseboat in dal lake Srinagar, floating market, shikara rides, romantic nights on Jhelum river kashmir are the main attraction in tourism of Kashmir in summer vacation. Tariq himself designed the ambulance, and did so keeping in mind all the problems that those who live in the area face. It is a must-visit place for all nature lovers. Take a look at some dazzling pictures of the frozen Dal Lake. A Shikara Rider breaking the freezed snow of Dal Lake to move forward amid Cold Weather in Kashmir. The shikara capsized when it was closing on the bank of the lake in the last leg of the rally. He was admitted for almost two weeks, and during this period, kept thinking of what he could do to change the situation. Two planks of wood lend to each of the side elevations a vertical height of 1.5 feet. At least four BJP leaders and several camera persons fell in freezing waters of Srinagar's Dal Lake today after a shikara which was part of the party's … A usual shikara seats six people, with the driver paddling at the rear. Weeds from the lake are extracted and converted into compost for the gardens. Houseboats in Dal Lake, Shikara rides, limitless chaos of vendors trying to sell you Crafts, and the serene weather of Kashmir sum up to make your travel experience worth it. He was admitted for almost two weeks, and during this period, kept thinking of what he could do to change the situation. Swimming, boating, snow skiing (particularly when the lake is frozen during the severe winter), and canoeing are amongst some of the water sports activities practised on the lake. 5 contributions. Srinagar, Dec 13: A shikara, carrying BJP workers and mediapersons, capsized in the Dal Lake on Sunday during campaign for the ongoing District Development Council elections, officials said here. Explore Dal lake by going on Shikara ride, Shikara Ride In Dal Lake top activities to do in Srinagar, There are a lot of places of interest you may miss, if you miss Shikara ride in Kashmir. J&K: Srinagar’s Dal Lake gets Shikara ambulance service Srinagar will get its first floating ambulance soon. [2], The nails and iron clamps used for joinery are flush and fixed into the wood diagonally when they are red hot, to ensure stronger bonding. Some interesting places in Srinagar and around it are accessible only through Shikara. [3], The floating vegetable market on Dal Lake, "Boat People, Unable to afford homes on land, the poorest of Kashmir's poor live on open fishing boats, where life is always unsteady", "Shikaras: The Floating versus on sounds of water", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shikara&oldid=996709361, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 December 2020, at 05:32. So… Because the Dal is central to the landscape of Srinagar, many places of tourist interest have been built in its vicinity. Having spent his entire life in the area, the attitude of those around him left him heartbroken. It is integral to tourism and recreation in Jammu Kashmir and an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting. “I knew her because of my social work. Tariq then contacted his brother, who stays in another part of Srinagar, to come and take him to the hospital. These man-made islands of reeds, willow rods and aquatic vegetation are held together with humus from the lake bottom providing a rich source of food in the form of frogs, lizards, mice, grasshoppers and other insects for wildlife. The mirror-like Dal Lake reflects the snow-dusted peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains while … This service is not just for COVID-19 patients, but for anyone who has a medical emergency or is looking to get to the hospital. It needs to have adequate space for all the medical equipment and enough room to ferry patients and family members.” Tariq says that around 12 people can be accommodated on his shikara. A shikara carrying three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists and three journalists capsized in Dal Lake here on Sunday during a boat rally led … Patloo says that the Dal is choking due to wrong policies. At the time I tested positive, there was so much misinformation about the virus — everyone was scared and protecting themselves.” Even his family members were subjected to trauma. Tariq Patloo a resident of Dal lake in Srinagar has made Srinagar’s first shikara ambulance to ferry patients across the Dal lake. Equipped with health facilities, the ambulance service will start operation in … In_Pics. A shikara, carrying BJP workers and mediapersons, capsized in the Dal Lake on Sunday during campaign for the ongoing District Development Council elections, officials said. ‘I Know What Suffering Means’: ‘Raazi’ Actor Who’s Helped 100+ Kashmiri Students, This New Year, #GiftACart & Help 5 Street Vendors Fight the Effects of COVID-19, Click here if you want to make a contribution of your choice instead, Join our community of positive ambassadors. “The idea came at the hospital. Dal Lake’s first shikara ambulance. In August 2020, 50-year-old Tariq Ahmad Patloo, a resident of Dal Lake in Srinagar, tested positive for COVID-19. The boat is created over 10 to 12 days. Enjoyed the sunrise and also enjoyed the Shikara ride. Readers only offer: Get additional Rs 200 off on 'The Better Home' powerful natural cleaners. Kashmir Valley is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan', the 40-day harshest winter period when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably. shikaras are of various sizes and are used for multiple purposes, including transportation. “Dal dwellers need this shikara the most, who knows it better than me? All reviews mr butt dal lake shikara boat ride the snow capped mountains mughal gardens beautiful flowers nishat bagh an unforgettable experience homely feeling ramzan houseboat boatman kashmir chacha. Some are used as floating homes. [2], The long boats crowd the Srinagar lakes. Dal Lake: Shikara ride in Dal lake - See 4,106 traveler reviews, 4,130 candid photos, and great deals for Srinagar, India, at Tripadvisor. If you read us, like us and want this positive news movement to grow, then do consider supporting us via the following buttons: Our teams put in a lot of effort to create the content you love at The Better India. “Where we live is anyway cut off from the mainland and with COVID-19, things have only become harder for us,” he says. New Delhi: BJP workers and mediapersons fell in the bone-chilling water in Srinagar's Dal Lake on Sunday (December 13) after the shikara they were travelling in … The shikara is a type of wooden boat found on Dal Lake and other water bodies of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India. My experience with Shikara had started as I reached Dal Lake from airport. It also serves as a flood lung of the Jhelum River. He says, “The purpose of this shikara is different, and therefore a lot of thought had to go into it. Visited a Dal lake its near Srinagar. Regaining the old world charm, the swift movement of a Dal Lake Shikara ride provides a unique way to experience the eternal beauty of Kashmir. Most memorable experience. “All through the time I was at the hospital, I kept thinking of what I could do for my community. Srinagar, Dec 13 (PTI) A shikara, carrying BJP workers and mediapersons, capsized in the Dal Lake on Sunday during campaign for the ongoing District Development Council elections, officials said … He was admitted for almost two weeks, and during this period, kept thinking of what he could do to change the situation. “We want to be able to treat people at their own homes, especially for cases related to old age, falls and bruises, and even patients suffering from hypertension issues,” says Tariq. [2], Seating arrangements are organized in the central segment of the boat by positioning cushions and related upholstery over the built-in storage space underneath. Srinagar: A shikara, carrying BJP workers and mediapersons, capsized in the Dal Lake on Sunday during campaign for the ongoing District Development Council elections, officials said here. It took Tariq close to a month to design this ambulance. Tariq then contacted his brother, who stays in another part of Srinagar, to come and take him to the hospital. A shikara carrying BJP workers and mediapersons capsized in Srinagar's Dal Lake on Sunday during campaign for the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections. Srinagar: A shikara carrying Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and mediapersons, capsized in … Nishat and Shalimar gardens as well as the Hazratbal shrine are directly accessible by shikara. [2], The boats are often navigated by two boat men in phiran and they carry kangris (portable heaters) and have cushioned seats and back rests. The Better Home is a range of safe and eco-friendly home cleaners by The Better India. While everything has been set up to start operations, Srinagar has been receiving fresh snowfall almost everyday, making it impossible to get the shikara going. Added on January 9, 2021 Javed Khan A boat man pulls his Shikara on the iced waters of Dal Lake on Saturday… She also runs a trust called Satya Rekha, and I got some financial help from them to start work on the shikara ambulance,” he says. photo A visit to remember. Spread over 15 kms, it is the second-largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir. Care is taken to keep them hidden for the visual aesthetics of the boat. At Dal Lake there were lots of Shikaras waiting for customer to provide services. This leads to the freezing of water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake, as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley. It would help us if you can follow our Instagram handle and spread the word around. [3] White-throated kingfishers, large birds with robust bills can be seen perched on the branches of willow trees. Shikara – boat which is the most suitable transportation service, transporting people and goods across the Dal Lake. Like the Venetian gondolas, they are a cultural symbol of Kashmir. It has a conspicuous spade shaped base. Patloo put the Shikara on trial today. The Jewel of Srinagar, the Dal Lake is synonymous to a visit to Srinagar and is almost a visual definition of the town. The shikarawalas in the area refused to ferry his wife, and even vegetable vendors refused to provide the family with any produce. Tariq then contacted his brother, who stays in another part of Srinagar, to come and take him to the hospital. The pointed front end is followed by a central section made of 8 planks of wood and the boat eventually ends in a flat rear segment. The shikara is a type of wooden boat found on Dal Lake and other water bodies of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Every other day, he takes his shikara (boat) and collects garbage accumulated on the surface of Dal overnight. A boat carrying supporters of the BJP during an election campaign capsized in the Dal lake in Srinagar on Sunday, but all on board were rescued in the nick of time. The shikara capsized when it was closing on the bank of the lake in the last leg of the rally. These birds concentrate their hunting on the floating Gardens. Dal Lake’s first shikara ambulance. They are used for getting back and forth from the houseboats or for longer tours of Dal Lake. “I was abandoned by my neighbours and community that time,” he says. The shikaras are eventually painted in bright colors and may further be polished, engraved and embellished. A canopy is supported on four pillars. View Indian men on shikara, a traditional gondola, catch fish during sunset at the Dal Lake in Srinagar, India, June 16, 2020. pictures and other Scenes of the summer photos at ABC News Channelising this sense of abandonment, Tariq has made Srinagar’s first ‘shikara’ ambulance. Patloo, who resides in the golden Dal Lake area and owns a houseboat called Sea Palace, has come up with an ambulance shikara for the Dal dwellers. Now, thankfully, that has happened. The lake is popular as a visitor attraction and a summer resort. stayed on Houseboat, It's a beautiful and calming experience for us. The shikara capsized when it was closing on the bank of the lake in the last leg of the rally. “The idea is to provide immediate response when a call comes in. We will also have a doctor and a medical staff member with us, who will be able to give immediate medical aid, if the need arises,” he says. The BJP workers and journalists were rescued by locals, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) … The 51-year-old has developed a “shikara ambulance” for those residing around Dal lake and hopes to follow it up with a “mini hospital” inside a houseboat. The 50-year-old Hanji (an ethnic community of lake dwellers) took it upon himself to clean the heavily polluted Dal lake in Kashmir. Nehal Desai wrote a review Jul 2019. Caulking uses a paste containing poplar seed. Once I was discharged, I started to work on making this dream a reality. A usual shikara seats six people, with the driver paddling at the rear. The shikara capsized when it was closing on the bank of the lake in the last leg of the rally. The centre and the ends are equipped with iron anchor rings and wooden pegs, which are used to fasten the shikara on the banks of the lake. Tariq is currently in the process of fitting all the medical equipment and has collaborated with local doctors. There was a lot of stigma around COVID-19 and I wanted to change that,” he says. A shikara, carrying BJP workers and mediapersons, capsized in the Dal Lake on Sunday during campaign for the ongoing District Development Council elections, officials said here. A shikara carrying BJP workers capsized in Dal Lake during an election rally led by saffron party's leaders including MoS Finance Anurag Thakur and … Wanting to discuss the idea with someone in a position of authority, Tariq reached out to Dr Niveditha P Haran, who is a member of an expert committee on Dal Lake. Some shikaras are still used for fishing, harvesting aquatic vegetation (usually for fodder), and transport, while most are covered with tarpaulins and are used by tourists. Some shikaras are still used for fishing, harvesting aquatic vegetation (usually for fodder), and transport, while most are covered with tarpaulins and are used by tourists. We at The Better India want to showcase everything that is working in this country. Fisheries and the harvesting of food and fodder plants are also important on Dal. 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