HAENZ: The Orignal Shikarawalas

Tourists flock to Dal Lake for its ethereal beauty, sinking into the cushioned embrace of decorated shikaras. In the stillness, it is easy to forget the hands that carve through the morning fog to make these views possible. Take this man, an "uncle" as his silver hair peeking from beneath his skullcap suggests. From dusk till dawn, he rows, ferrying a multitude of people and gliding across the mirror-like water to put food on his family’s table. We come here for the quiet, the photos, and the serene escape. But for him, this lake isn't a getaway; it is a lifeline. He is one of the HAENZ (or Hanjis), popularly known as the Shikarawalas. The Haenz are a community that doesn't just navigate these waters; they build the very vessels they row. They are the lifeblood of Dal Lake. Whether they are transporting weary travelers to their hotels or ferrying heavy cargo from the Ghats, the lake simply wouldn't be "Dal" without them. It is a poignant reminder that our moments of leisure

↑ Drag the slider on the image to compare before & after.