A DAY ON THE BANKS OF DAL LAKE, UBAID SHEIKH [bookreader .txt] 📗

era and many parks. Mughals, who were smitten by the beauty of Kashmir, laid extensive gardens to heighten its beauty. The best views of the lake can be seen from the Shalimar Garden and Nishat Garden that were built during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Jahangir.

 

A DAY ON THE BANKS OF DAL LAKE

 

                                                                      The Dal Lake has rightfully become an icon of the Kashmir tourism industry. A Himalayan urban lake, it has five basins and a number of channels that are well linked with each other. There are plenty of fishes in Dal Lake and fishery is the second largest industry of the region centered on the lake. The sparkling quiet waters of Dal surrounded by snow-capped mountains on its three sides undoubtedly mark it as one of the most beautiful lakes of India. It is also the second largest lake in the State of Jammu and Kashmir with numerous gardens and orchards all along its shores. Houseboats form an indelible part of the scenery of the Dal Lake that are always ready to take tourists to a romantic and peaceful ride of the lake and soothe their nerves as the houseboat floats over the slightly rippling waters. They also offer some of the most exotic views of the splendid scenery of the Dal Lake. The extraordinary, almost unearthly beauty of the Kashmir valley made it a strange conflict to cover. In the morning, the window of houseboat on the Dal Lake would be open, and one could easily see the reed cutters and fishermen. The shikara canoes would be in the foreground; behind were the bridges and waterways, the willows and poplars, and the orchards of apricots and almonds. There were children paddling in the shallows and girls carrying brush-wood bundles on their heads. Beyond stretched the old Mughal water-gardens and, above them, the mulberry trees of the silk farmers. Crowning all this were the jagged snow-peaks of the great Himalaya.

 

A DAY ON THE BANKS OF DAL LAKE

 

The Muslims of the Kashmir valley had long been known for their tolerant and heterodox Sufi faith. Sufism has had a great influence on culture and music of Kashmir. Sufiana Kalam is accompanied by santoor (Stringed musical instrument native to Kashmir), along with the tabla, sitar and harmonium. Sufiana Kalam has been popular in Kashmir since arriving from Iran in the 15th century and has been the music of choice for Kashmiri Sufi mystics.

 

Wazwan is the hallmark of Kashmiri cuisine. It is prepared on special occasions and served on large metal plate called trami. Each trami is shared by a group of four people. Some of important dishes are Yakhni, Kabab, Rogan Josh, Tabak Maaz, Gushtaba etc., Kashmiri and Muglia cuisines are extremely popular and served in almost all the restaurants. Srinagar is famous for its non-vegetarian delicacies like Rogan gosht, gushtaba, rista, tabakmaaz, kanti, etc. There are a few restaurants that provide tasty vegetarian meal along the road near Dal Lake. Seekh- Tuj is another popular delicacy found in the street stalls of Khayyam Road.

 

 

Winters in Kashmir are harsh. People carry Kangri (earthen pot filled with charcoal) underneath their pherans (Large over coats) to keep themselves warm or spend the day sitting in Hamams, which are constructed by raising floor height by a few feet. The flooring is made of stone and is heated by a fire underneath.

 

A DAY ON THE BANKS OF DAL LAKE

 

Kashmir is also known for its wooden works and Papier-mâché, both of which are on a decline like the once strong carpet industry of Kashmir. “The Arts of Kashmir,” was a superb piece of museum craft a beautifully realized display of the intellectual and artistic brilliance that had long distinguished the valley. It was not a show that highlighted one particular aesthetic; instead it was a celebration of how multiple influences and styles can coexist and influence each other within a single small but culturally vibrant region. One of the greatest early Muslim rulers of Kashmir was Zain-ul-Abidin (1420–1470), whose enlightened administration and artistic patronage are still remembered by Kashmiris today.

 

A DAY ON THE BANKS OF DAL LAKE

 

“Wala Ho Bage-wano Baharukh Shan Paida kar                

Pholan Gull Gat Karan Bulbul Tututhi  Shamane Paida Kar”

                                                                                                               (Kalam Mahjoor)

(Arise, O Gardener) and stresses upon his fellow countrymen to decorate their nation and land with flowers which symbolizing their apt traditions based on honesty, truthfulness and dignity.

 

  “Sahibo sath chum me cheeni wath me aslich hawtem                              

   Kut kala roze be zan, zan hund mas chawtem”

                                                                                                                 (Kalam Mahjoor)

 

Mahjoor through his immortal verses teaches lessons about nature, love, peace, unity, faith in God, upholding of human values, uselessness of strife’s, jealousy, hatred, and he also touches the psyche of the people by awakening their conscience and advocates the concern of the poor, downtrodden, and suppressed workers. He invariably teaches his nation to learn to live with honor and dignity and fight for their lost identity and freedom.

Imprint

Publication Date: 02-10-2015

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
I wrote this story (ON THE BANKS OF DAL LAKE) for my family but when I began I hadn’t realized that imaginations grow quicker than reality. Nearly everything I have in it is, and it isn’t full. Excitements are in it and feelings & good thoughts of nature. I want to thank everyone who helped me for creating this book. I also dedicated this story to my wonderful readers and seriously I love you all. You know you pick up a book grazing by eyes to the dedication and you find that this book isn’t dedicated to you because the reason is we haven’t met yet. (SHEIKH UBAID YOUSOUF)