Every traveler who comes to Kashmir wants to ride a shikara on Dal Lake. That is natural, because the lake is one of the most famous and beautiful places in the valley. The painted boats, the calm water, the mountain reflections, and the floating markets together create an image that represents Kashmir around the world. But Dal Lake is much more than the postcard view. Behind the familiar shikara rides lies a living, working, and deeply cultural water world that many visitors