Geography of J&K — Lakes & Springs

Figure 1: Lakes and Springs of Jammu & Kashmir — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. Introduction

• Lake classification based on stratification and circulation patterns by Hutchinson and Löffler (1956).
• Six lake types:
  • Amictic: Perennially ice-covered
  • Cold monomictic: Water temperatures never exceed 4°C; one period of circulation in summer
  • Dimictic: Circulate twice a year (spring and fall); stratified in summer and winter
  • Warm monomictic: Circulate once a year in winter; not ice-covered
  • Oligomictic: Rare circulation periods at irregular intervals; not ice-covered
  • Polymictic: Frequent or continuous periods of mixing per year; not ice-covered

KNOWLEDGE NUGGET

• Dal Lake: Warm monomictic lake
• Wular Lake: India's largest freshwater lake; Ramsar site (1990)
• Mansbal Lake: Deepest lake in Kashmir (13 m / 43 ft)

2. Important Lakes in Kashmir Region

2.1 Wular Lake

• Location: Bandipora district, Kashmir
• Largest freshwater lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Dimensions: 16 km long and 9.6 km wide.
• Deepest part: Mota Khon — "Gulf of corpses".
• Ramsar site: Designated in 1990 (one of 26 Indian wetlands).
• Ancient names: Mahapadamsar (Nilmat Purana); Bolor (Al-Biruni); Ullola (Sanskrit).
• Zaina Lank: Artificial island built by Zain-ul-Abideen in 1444 CE.
• Tulbul Project: Navigation lock at the mouth of Wular Lake; dispute with Pakistan since 1987.

2.2 Dal Lake

• Location: Srinagar district
• Dimensions: 8 km long and 6.4 km wide.
• Warm monomictic lake — second largest in J&K.
• Nicknames: "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir", "Srinagar's Jewel", "Lake of Flowers".
• Described as "Lake Par-Excellence" by Sir Walter Lawrence.
• Ancient name: Mahasarit (Sanskrit texts).
• Floating gardens: Known as "Radh" in Kashmiri.
• Four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, Nagin.
• Islands: Rup Lank (Char Chinari) in Lokut-dal; Sona Lank in Bod-dal.
• Mughal Gardens: Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh on its periphery.
• Oont Kadal: 17th century bridge shaped like a camel's hump.
• Nehru Park: Western terminus of the lake.

2.3 Nagin Lake (Nigeen Lake)

• Location: Srinagar district
• Mildly eutrophic lake; sometimes considered part of Dal Lake.
• Connected to Dal Lake via a narrow strait.
• Connected to Khushal Sar and Gil Sar lakes via Nallah Amir Khan.
• Nickname: "Nageena" — "the jewel in the ring".
• Adjacent to Hari Parbat hillock.

2.4 Anchar Lake

• Location: Srinagar district
• Swampy area; 8 km long and 3 km wide.
• Sind Nallah enters from one side and flows out from the other.
• Connected to Dal Lake via Amir Khan Nallah.
• Home to the Hanji community.
• Declared as a dead lake due to deteriorated condition.

2.5 Mansbal Lake

• Location: Ganderbal district
• Deepest lake in Kashmir — 13 m (43 ft).
• Name derived from Lake Mansarovar.
• Dimensions: 5 km long and 1 km wide.
• Connected to Jhelum by a canal near Sumbal.
• Jarokbal Mughal Garden: Built by Noor Jahan overlooks the lake.
• Nickname: "Supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes".
• Large growth of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) blooms during July and August.

2.6 Mansar Lake

• Location: Udhampur district (62 km from Jammu).
• Holy site: Shares legend with Lake Mansarovar.
• Shrine of Sheshnag: On the Eastern Bank — snake with six heads.
• Temples: Umapati Mahadev, Narsimha, and Durga.
• People take a holy dip on festive occasions.

2.7 Surinsar Lake

• Location: Jammu (45 km from Jammu city).
• Mythology: Arjun shot an arrow into Mansar; a bubbling spring gushed out — the present-day Surinsar Lake.
• Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary: Located between the two lakes.
• Island in the middle is home to thousands of bats.

2.8 Harwan Lake

• Location: Srinagar district (21 km from Srinagar).
• Source of water supply to Srinagar city.

2.9 Hokersar Lake

• Location: Srinagar district (13 km from Srinagar on Baramulla road).
• Dimensions: 5 km long and 1.5 km wide.
• Queen of Wetlands — largest bird habitat in Kashmir.
• Favourite haunt for winter migratory birds.

2.10 Sheshnag Lake

• Location: Anantnag district (28 km from Pahalgam).
• Alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake at 3,590 m elevation.
• Enroute to Shri Amarnath cave.
• Drains out through a stream which joins Lidder River at Pahalgam.

2.11 Gangabal Lake

• Location: Ganderbal district — foothills of Mount Harmukh.
• Alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake.
• Also called Harmukt (Harmukh) Ganga.
• Believed to be as pious as Haridwar.
• Harmukh Gangbal Yatra: Performed annually in September.
• Water flows to Nundkol Lake and then via Wangath Nallah to Sind River.

2.12 Vishansar Lake

• Location: Sonamarg, Ganderbal district.
• Alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake at 3,710 m elevation.
• Fed by Kishansar Lake and glaciers.
• Source of Neelam River.

2.13 Nilnag Lake

• Location: Budgam district (4 km from Yusmarg).
• Water is crystal clear blue colour — 'Neel' (blue).
• Ideal picnic spot.

2.14 Tsomoriri Lake

• Location: Leh district, Ladakh.
• Changthang (northern plains) region.
• Altitude: 4,595 m (15,075 ft).
• Largest high altitude lake in the Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region, entirely within India.

2.15 Pangong Lake

• Location: Leh district, Ladakh.
• Salty Lake — endorheic lake.
• Altitude: 4,350 m (14,270 ft).
• Length: 134 km (83 mi) — extends from India to Tibet.
• Khurnak Fort: Lies on the northern bank, halfway of Pangong Tso.
• Pangong in Tibetan means "long, narrow, enchanted lake".

2.16 Tso Kar — White Lake

• Location: Ladakh (45 km northwest of Tsomoriri Lake).
• Altitude: 4,485 m.
• Nickname: "White Lake" — salt deposited around it.
• Salt is taken from its banks and sold by Rupsu Chang nomads.

2.17 Gadsar Lake

• Location: Ganderbal district.
• Also called Yemsar Lake — "lake of flowers".
• Alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake at 3,600 m elevation.

3. Important Springs in Kashmir Region

3.1 Verinag (Anantnag)

• Named after Nila Nag, son of Kashyap Rishi.
• Octagonal stone basin and arcade built by Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1620 CE.
• Jahangir wished to be buried at Verinag.
• Garden laid out by Shah Jahan.
• Spring never dries up or overflows.
• Veravurthur (2 km away) is the major source of river Jhelum.

3.2 Martand Spring (Anantnag)

• Located in Mattan village (also known as Bhawani / Martand Tirtha).
• Two Sun Temples:
  • Martand Tirtha temple: Well frequented, with two springs.
  • Martand Sun Temple: 8th century, built by King Lalitaditya (now in ruins).

3.3 Achabal (Anantnag)

• Most beautiful spring; gushes out of Sosanwar Hill.
• Real source: Breng River (disappears at Dewalgam).
• Mughal garden terraced and developed.
• Bag-e-Begum Abad: Developed by Malika Noor Jahan Begum in 1616 CE.
• Mosque believed to be built by Prince Dara Shikoh.
• Once the pleasure retreat of Empress Noor Jahan.

3.4 Kokernag (Anantnag)

• Koker: Kashmiri word for chicken; Nag: Sanskrit for springs.
• Also known as Breng Kokernag (named by Sheikh-ul-Alam).
• Mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari.
• Largest fresh water spring in Kashmir; known for trout streams.
• Asia's biggest trout rearing farm on the western side.

3.5 Chashmashahi (Srinagar)

• Built in 1632 CE by Ali Mardan Khan (governor of Shah Jahan).
• Gift for Prince Dara Shikoh.
• Located in Zabarwan Range, near Raj Bhawan (Governor's house).
• Discovered by the female saint Rupa Bhawani.
• Originally called Chashme Sahibi; later corrupted to Chashme Shahi.
• Pari Mahal (Fairy Palace) lies to the east, where Dara Shikoh learned astrology.

3.6 Kheer Bhawani (Tullamulla)

• Mentioned in Kalhan's Rajtarangini.
• Sacred spring that changes colour.
• Also known as Mata Ragini Kund.
• Visited by Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Vivekananda.
• Mela Kheer Bhawani: Annual festival in May/June (public holiday in Kashmir).
• Goddess changes the colour of the spring's water — black shade is inauspicious.

3.7 Vichar Nag (Srinagar)

• Mentioned in Rajtarangini by Kalhan.
• Famous for its spring and two old Shiva temples.
• Spring has a length of 430 feet and breadth of 35 feet.
• Seat of discussion (Vichar meaning discussion).
• Jagat Guru Shankaracharya visited this temple for discussion.

3.8 Sukhnag (Budgam)

• "Spring of solace" — initially known as Sokhanag.
• Located close to Tosamaidan in Budgam district.
• Takes the form of a 20 ft. high waterfall at Kanj Zubji.
• Major source: Ahiji stream (Ahiji River).

3.9 Vasaknag (Kulgam)

• Also known as Sarsa — located in erstwhile Devsar Pargana.
• Dedicated to Vasak, the satellite of Shiva.
• Flows for six months and runs dry for six months.

4. Important Springs in Jammu Region

NAGRI PAROLE (KATHUA)

• Natural spring 3-4 km below Nagri Parole.
• Water has sulphur smell; people suffering from skin ailments are cured.

AIRWAN (ERAVATI)

• Located 9-10 km from Nagri Parole.
• Most prominent sacred place of Shakti.

KHOON-SPRING (UDHAMPUR)

• 50 km from Udhampur along Dhar road.
• Natural Bowli with nectar-clear water.
• Temple of Lord Shiva exists there.

SUDMAHADEV'S SPRING

• Also named as 'Papnashi Bowli'.
• Holy dip washes off sins.
• Annual mela in the first week of June.

KUD SPRING

• Also called 'Swami Wala Spring'.
• Temple of Lord Shiva exists.

SANASAR SPRING (PATNITOP)

• Also named 'Viran Spring'.
• Temple of 'Nag Devta' exists.

TATTAPANI SPRING (KISHTWAR)

• Hot spring in Padar valley of Kishtwar.
• Rice placed in cloth gets boiled.
• Located in Nagseni range, 20 km from Kishtwar.

TATTAPANI SPRING (ATHOLI-KISHTWAR)

• Referred to as Sheshnag in old scripture.

MARWA SPRINGS (KISHTWAR)

• Life-leasing nectar-clear water.
• Moderately hot; Medicare for various ailments.

KAILASH KUND

• 15 km from Bhaderwah township.
• Abode of 'Vasuki Nag'.

GUPT GANGA

• Underground Ganga alongside Niru rivulet.
• Cluster of fishes of varied colours.
• Temple of prehistoric time of Mahabharata.

TATTAPANI SPRING (KALAKOTE, RAJOURI)

• Most popular spring in Rajouri District.
• Warm water — close to boiling point.
• Cures bone/joint ailments and skin diseases.
• Water contains phosphorus compounds.

5. JKSSB Previous Year Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. The largest freshwater lake in Jammu & Kashmir is:

• A) Dal Lake
• B) Wular Lake
• C) Mansbal Lake
• D) Pangong Lake

Q2. The deepest lake in Kashmir is:

• A) Dal Lake
• B) Mansbal Lake
• C) Wular Lake
• D) Anchar Lake

Q3. Dal Lake is described as "Lake Par-Excellence" by:

• A) Kalhan
• B) Sir Walter Lawrence
• C) M.A. Stein
• D) Al-Biruni

Q4. Wular Lake was designated as a Ramsar site in:

• A) 1985
• B) 1990
• C) 1995
• D) 2000

Q5. The ancient name of Wular Lake is:

• A) Mahasarit
• B) Mahapadamsar
• C) Bolor
• D) Ullola

Q6. The artificial island Zaina Lank in Wular Lake was built by:

• A) Lalitaditya
• B) Zain-ul-Abideen
• C) Jahangir
• D) Shah Jahan

Q7. The floating gardens in Dal Lake are locally known as:

• A) Karewa
• B) Radh
• C) Wudar
• D) Khadar

Q8. The "Queen of Wetlands" in Kashmir is:

• A) Wular Lake
• B) Dal Lake
• C) Hokersar Lake
• D) Mansbal Lake

Q9. The sacred spring that changes its colour is:

• A) Verinag
• B) Kheer Bhawani (Tullamulla)
• C) Achabal
• D) Kokernag

Q10. The octagonal stone basin at Verinag was built by:

• A) Akbar
• B) Jahangir
• C) Shah Jahan
• D) Aurangzeb

Q11. The deepest lake in India is:

• A) Wular Lake
• B) Mansbal Lake
• C) Dal Lake
• D) Pangong Lake

Q12. The source of Neelam River is:

• A) Gangabal Lake
• B) Vishansar Lake
• C) Sheshnag Lake
• D) Gadsar Lake

Q13. Kokernag is mentioned in:

• A) Rajtarangini
• B) Ain-i-Akbari
• C) Akbarnama
• D) Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri

Q14. The Tattapani spring in Rajouri contains which mineral?

• A) Sulphur
• B) Phosphorus
• C) Iron
• D) Calcium

Q15. The Tulbul Project dispute is related to which lake?

• A) Wular Lake
• B) Dal Lake
• C) Mansbal Lake
• D) Pangong Lake

6. Summary: Lakes & Springs at a Glance

Lake/Spring	Location	Key Feature
Wular Lake	Bandipora	Largest freshwater; Ramsar site (1990); Zaina Lank
Dal Lake	Srinagar	Lake of Flowers; Radh; Oont Kadal
Mansbal Lake	Ganderbal	Deepest lake in Kashmir (13 m)
Pangong Lake	Leh	Salty lake; 134 km long; endorheic
Hokersar Lake	Srinagar	Queen of Wetlands; largest bird habitat
Verinag	Anantnag	Source of Jhelum; Jahangir's octagonal basin
Kheer Bhawani	Ganderbal	Sacred spring; changes colour; Mela in May/June
Chashmashahi	Srinagar	Mughal garden; discovered by Rupa Bhawani

Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

• Wular Lake: Largest freshwater; Ramsar site 1990; Mahapadamsar; Zaina Lank
• Dal Lake: Lake Par-Excellence; Mahasarit; Radh; Oont Kadal
• Mansbal Lake: Deepest lake in Kashmir (13 m); Supreme gem
• Pangong Lake: Salty lake; endorheic; 134 km long
• Hokersar: Queen of Wetlands; largest bird habitat
• Verinag: Source of Jhelum; Jahangir's octagonal basin
• Kheer Bhawani: Sacred spring; changes colour; Mela in May/June
• Chashmashahi: Ali Mardan Khan; Dara Shikoh; Rupa Bhawani
• Gangabal Lake: Harmukh Ganga; Harmukh Gangbal Yatra in September
• Tulbul Project: Dispute with Pakistan on Wular Lake

High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Lakes & Springs)

Q1. The largest freshwater lake in Jammu & Kashmir is:

Correct Answer: B. Wular Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Jammu & Kashmir. It is located in Bandipora district and was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990.

Q2. The deepest lake in Kashmir is:

Correct Answer: B. Mansbal Lake is the deepest lake in Kashmir with a depth of 13 m (43 ft). It is located in Ganderbal district.

Q3. The ancient name of Wular Lake is:

Correct Answer: B. The ancient name of Wular Lake is Mahapadamsar (mentioned in Nilmat Purana). Al-Biruni called it Bolor.

Q4. The artificial island Zaina Lank in Wular Lake was built by:

Correct Answer: B. The Kashmiri sultan Zain-ul-Abideen ordered the construction of the artificial island of Zaina Lank in the middle of Wular Lake in 1444 CE.

Q5. The "Queen of Wetlands" in Kashmir is:

Correct Answer: C. Hokersar Lake (Hokera Wetland Conservation Reserve) is known as the 'Queen of Wetlands' and is the largest bird habitat in Kashmir.

Q6. The sacred spring that changes its colour is:

Correct Answer: B. Kheer Bhawani (Tullamulla) is a sacred spring that changes its colour. It is mentioned in Kalhan's Rajtarangini.

Q7. The octagonal stone basin at Verinag was built by:

Correct Answer: B. The octagonal stone basin at Verinag Spring and the arcade surrounding it were built by Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1620 CE.

Q8. Chashmashahi was discovered by:

Correct Answer: B. Chashmashahi was discovered by the great female saint Rupa Bhawani. It was originally called Chashme Sahibi.

Q9. Kokernag is mentioned in:

Correct Answer: B. Kokernag is mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari, where it has been mentioned that the water of Kokernag satisfies both hunger and thirst and is a remedy for indigestion.

Q10. The Tulbul Project dispute is related to which lake?

Correct Answer: B. The Tulbul Project is a "navigation lock-cum-control structure" at the mouth of Wular Lake. There has been an on-going dispute between India and Pakistan over the project since 1987.