Dal Lake
The Dal Lake is a mid-altitude lake located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Located at an altitude of 1775 meters above the sea level, this lake is situated in the village of Tota Rani, which is a part of the Kangra district, and it derives its name from the famous Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is roughly about 7 kms long and 4 kms wide, and is located at a distance of about 10 kms from the city of Dharamshala. The lake is surrounded by abundant deodar trees which makes the lake a picturesque location.
The Dal Lake is known for its beauty as well as for its divine heritage. It is divine because of the presence of the famous Lord Shiva temple located on the banks of the lake. The temple, which was constructed in 371 BC, is not only a tourist attraction and of divine importance, it is also a edifice of archaeological importance. Tourists visit the lake predominantly for its scenic beauty and for receiving the blessings from the Lord Shiva temple. In September of every year, a festival is celebrated to mark the existence of Lord Shiva. This is a very sacred festival celebrated by the locals, and attended by a number of tourists who sometimes take an active part. During the festival, a fair is organized on the banks of the lake, which is a great way for the tourists to purchase some of the stuff confined to this region. They are wonderful souvenirs which could be treasured as a remembrance of the trip to the Dal Lake.
The bank of the lake is an ideal spot for picnics, especially for those who are travelling in a group. It is a wonderful location to sit down as a family and enjoy a snack. For honeymooners, it is a place of serenity while gazing into the dense deodar trees. You could also catch a glimpse of migrating birds that stop on top of these trees for a breather. Post October, it is highly recommended that people visiting the place carry heavy woolen clothing. Woolen clothes can also be purchased from the markets in Dharamshala, in case of a forgotten or missing luggage.
The ideal time to visit the lake would be in the summer, between May and October. This is the time when the weather is pleasant and is also when the flora and fauna of the lake tends to beautify the lake even further. Boating and fishing are the major attractions of the lake, and it is an activity that the tourists tend to thrive upon. During winter, the temperature tends to fall below freezing point and hence boating is something that is not particularly encouraging. In times of really low temperature, the lake is sometimes shut down for tourism since the water tends to freeze. The Dal Lake falls enroute to a place called Naddi, which is about a kilometer away and is also a popular tourist destination in the Kangra district. The place boasts of beautiful view of mountains and valleys. Without a doubt, the Dal Lake is one of those places worth visiting.