Manasbal Lake

Manasbal Lake lies in the Safapora area of Ganderbal district, about 30 km from Srinagar by road via Shadipora and Ganderbal, and is the deepest freshwater lake in the region. It takes its name from the sacred Manasarovar, and four villages, Jarokbal, Kondabal, Nesbal and Gratbal, sit around its shores. The Baladar mountains rise to the east and the Ahtung hills to the south.

In July and August lotus flowers crowd the edges of the clear water, and the plant's rootstocks are harvested for sale and for local kitchens. The lake is one of the biggest natural breeding grounds for waterbirds in Kashmir, which makes it a favourite for birdwatching, and it is sometimes called the supreme gem of Kashmir's lakes. Close to the northern shore stand the remains of the Jharokha Bagh, a 17th-century Mughal garden and fort linked to Nur Jahan and once used by caravans from Punjab.