Wular Lake

We had gone day tour from srinagar after passing through picturrsque surroundungs reached wular lake. Largest fresh water lake. You can stay there also.. Long time back stayed in luxury houseboats. Ride enjoy and can do ex tour also. Unlike dal lake few tourists venture here but it's worth visiting

Wular Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in South Asia and the largest freshwater lake in India. It is located near Bandipora town in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, lying at an elevation of about 1,580 meters on the foothills of the Haramuk Mountain.

Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in the Indian subcontinent. It is located near Bandipora town in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake's size varies seasonally from 30 to 189 square kilometres. In addition much of the lake has been drained as a result of willow plantations being built on the shore in the 1950s. The Kashmiri sultan Zain-ul-Abidin is reputed to have ordered the construction of the artificial island of Zaina Lank in the middle of the lake in 1444.Zayn Ul Aabidin constructed a spacious barge which he sank in the lake and upon which he laid a foundation of bricks and stones till it rose high enough to be at level as the water. Upon this, he erected a Mosque and other buildings and gave the islet the name of Lanka. The expense of this work was defrayed by the fortunate discovery of two idols of solid gold, which had been brought up from the lake by divers.Wular Lake is an important fish habitat.The lake sustains a rich population of birds. Terrestrial birds observed around the lake include the black-eared kite, Eurasian sparrowhawk, short-toed eagle, Himalayan golden eagle, Himalayan monal, chukar partridge, koklass pheasant, rock dove, common cuckoo, alpine swift, Indian roller, Himalayan woodpecker, hoopoe, barn swallow, golden oriole, etc.

Wular Lake also known as Wolar in Kashmiri, is one of the largest fresh water lakes in South Asia. It is located near Bandipora town in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River and stream madhumati. The lake's size varies seasonally from 30 to 189 square kilometres. The Lake is surrounded by the marshes and have a good natural wildlife. Various water birds are also seen in the lake. Fishing is also important aspect of walur contributes approx.. 60% of fish yield of Kashmir. However it faces environmental threats including the conversion of large parts of the lake’s catchment areas into agriculture land, pollution from fertilizers and animal wastes, hunting of waterfowl and migratory birds and weed infestation in the lake itself. The lake is embraced by majestic mountains and has a great view. The best time to visit is late afternoon as the light is beautiful for photos. When the afternoon lights reflect from the lake and the weeds, it creates beautiful landscape. It takes around 2.30 hrs from Srinagar to reach any one side of Wular Lake by Car. On the way to Wular, you can visit Manasbal Lake also. It will take around 1.30 hrs more if you travel around the whole lake by car through main road. So, you have to spend one full day for this trip. However, very few tourists visit this place. I must also admit that apart from raw natural beauty of the lake and surroundings, there is nothing else to see here. There are very few restaurants near the main attraction points of the lake (however you can find many on our way). Also, lake of maintenance and development is visible near the main attraction points of the lake. So nature lovers will find this place interesting but general tourist may not find this place attractive. But for me, the Wular lake is certainly a beautiful place and worth a visit.

Nice place to visit with your family and friends. Asia's one of the biggest fresh water lake It has a lot of areas to visit so try avoiding crowded places