Beauty of Kashmir always attracted people from all
over the world who came as visitors but didn't want to return their home
extending their visits and ultimately giving up wanted to live their life
here after. These people especially British were not allowed to build houses
to live in Kashmir as the Maharajas (The Kings) didn't permit it. This gave
rise to advent of Houseboats or floating Houses. As British were given
to comforts and modern ways of living they designed these Houseboats with
every luxury of well-built house like attached baths, Dinning rooms, Drawing
rooms, Pantry , Sun Deck Etc.
Many tourists are attracted to Srinagar by the charm of staying on a
houseboat, which provides the unique experience of living on the water in
a cedar-paneled elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury
hotel. Srinagar's thousand or so houseboats are moored along sections of
the Dal and Nagin Lakes and river Jhelum, each decorated fancifully and
named romantically and even whimsically.
Like hotels, houseboats vary in degree of luxury and have been
accordingly graded by the Department of Tourism. A luxury houseboat, like
a luxury hotel has fine furniture, good carpets and modern bathroom
fittings, while the ‘D category’ (the lowest category) of houseboats, like
low-budget hotels, is spartanly furnished. Like hotels too, houseboats
vary widely in their locations. Some overlook the main road, others look
out onto lotus gardens and yet others face tiny local markets and
villages, all right in the middle of the lake! All houseboats, regardless
of category, have highly personalized service. Not only is there always a
"houseboy" for every boat, but the owner and his family are never far
away. The cost per day of hiring a houseboat includes all meals and free
rides from the houseboat to the nearest jetty and back, as no houseboat on
the lakes is directly accessible from the banks.
Every standard houseboat provides a balcony in the front, a lounge, dining
room, pantry and 3 or more bedrooms with attached bathrooms. All
houseboats not moored to the bank of the river or lakes provide a shikara
as a free service from the houseboat to the nearest Ghat (jetty).
Virtually every houseboat in Srinagar has been provided with a municipal
water connection.
Kashmir house on water photos
