Imagine a Kashmir honeymoon package with a romantic evening spent on Dal Lake. Intricately carved houseboats are both captivating and soothing for your eyes. The boat house in Srinagar is anchored on Dal Lake’s outskirts. These are the most fancy part of the Srinagar tour packages. Your Kashmir trip with your partner will be better in your chosen house boat in Kashmir. Yet, ensure that the boat houses chosen by you tick all the right boxes. Admire the beauty of Great Himalayas in the background and the best trip to Srinagar, on a houseboat. In this blog, we will explore Kashmir Houseboats in detail.
We will also look at the fascinating history of house boats in Kashmir. Kashmir tourism relies on these one-of-a-kind houseboats to provide the experience that tourists seek. These houseboats are unlike those in Kerala’s backwaters. Ornate with mediaeval artwork, these boathouses will surely fixate you on the very first glance!
Shikaras Are Not Houseboats
The Kashmir trip is incomplete without Shikaras. But like others, are you too unable to decide whether to call these boat- Shikara or Houseboats? Don’t get confused. They both are different kinds of boats, and play different commercial roles.
Shikaras aka Kashmiri Gondolas, are light flat-bottomed wooden boats found on Dal Lake and other bodies of water in Kashmir. Because of their various sizes, they are used for a variety of purposes such as transportation, fishing, harvesting aquatic vegetation (usually for fodder), and, in some cases, as a residence. Tarpaulins may or may not be used to cover them.
A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Some houseboats are not motorised because they are usually anchored i.e. kept stationary at a fixed point. This is because they have to be frequently tethered to land to provide utilities.
A Tell-Tale or History?
Some claim that house boats in Kashmir have been present on the Dal Lake and Nagin lakes since the 1800s. In the late nineteenth century, Srinagar’s boat-dwelling Hanji community began building Kashmir houseboats. Back then, they were built for English visitors and residents who were not permitted to own land in Kashmir.
Some trace the history of houseboats in Kashmir back to the 1880s. In those times, a shop owner named Pandit Naraindas catered to foreign tourists. When his shop burned down, Naraindas moved to a small boat used by the boat-dwelling Hanjis and moored it. It became the first proper houseboat after some modifications. Naraindas later sold his boat to a European. He saw the commercial value of boats and began commissioning boats. He became known as Naav Narain in the local community, and his first houseboat was named Kashmir Princess.
Looking for a boat stay in Kashmir at Dal Lake? Book your stay in Moustache Houseboat Srinagar. With intricately carved wooden railings, air conditioning, and other modern features, it is a perfect place to book a house boat in Kashmir. The blend of modern features and traditional design make it a popular houseboat shikara in Srinagar.
However, Sir Francis Younghusband, a famous British explorer, is known to have credited the idea of a floating house. The first one MT Kennard was created between the years 1883 and 1888. Locals are said to have referred to these as “the boats of Kennad Sahib” for a long time. According to some, the lakes once had hundreds of houseboats floating in Kashmir by 1906.
The semi-cute, semi-hilarious names of Srinagar’s houseboats also have their own lineage. The early European boats were named HB Duke Wells or New Buckingham Palace to honour the memories and sensibilities of settlers.
Some older folks of Kashmir claim something of a different origin story of these houseboats. As per them, the presence of these houseboats in Kashmir valley lakes is mentioned in ancient Kashmiri literature dating back to the 13th century. Back then, it was for personal use rather than tourism to Kashmir lakes. Today, these house boat in Kashmir have become a major tourist attraction in every Kashmir tour!
A Generation-Old Sailing Art
Kashmir houseboats preserve the cultural heritage of Kashmiris. They have been a part of Kashmiri culture since centuries. Also, the art of making them was passed down through generations. Some of the popular house boat in Kashmir include:
- Gulfam Houseboat
- Badyari Houseboat
- Gurkha Houseboat Kashmir
- Royal group of Deluxe Houseboats
All of them are quite popular. Yet, if you want to experience comfort and luxury while exploring the lifestyle, Moustache Srinagar Houseboat is on another level.
It has become very popular among art enthusiasts and others. The carved wooden boat showcases the exquisite art of wood carvings and represents the fine craftsmanship of Kashmiri artisans.
Take a look at some of the local cuisines in Kashmir. Go through our Kashmiri food blog exploring the local delicacies of the valley. Enjoy your boat stay in Kashmir to the fullest after visiting this place!
Besides during the times of flooding, only houseboat owners are unaffected. Regardless of how high or low the water level is, the boats would simply float on it.
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