Dal Lake Transforms Into Sporting Arena With Khelo India Water Sports Festival
Dal Lake, long celebrated as the soul of Srinagar and a symbol of Kashmir’s heritage, dons a new identity as a sporting arena from August 21 to 23, as the iconic water body hosts the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival, a national event bringing together athletes, culture, and local livelihoods.
More than 400 athletes from 36 states and union territories are competing in three medal events — rowing, canoeing, and kayaking — alongside demonstration events such as water skiing, dragon boat racing, and a shikara sprint. The three-day festival is set to blend sporting excellence with the unique cultural landscape of Kashmir.
The event, organised jointly by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council under the government’s Khelo Bharat initiative, aims to expand grassroots sports, generate local employment, and upgrade infrastructure.
Jammu & Kashmir already establishes itself as India’s winter sports hub, with Gulmarg hosting five editions of the Khelo India Winter Games. With Dal Lake now in the spotlight, the region emerges as a premier destination for water sports.
“The Khelo India Winter Sports Games put Gulmarg on the sporting map. Similarly, this festival makes Jammu & Kashmir a centre for water sports,” says coach Mohammad Imtiaz.
Olympian and international canoeing judge Bilquis Mir, who begins her sporting journey on Dal Lake in the 1990s, says the festival marks a turning point:
“This is not just an event but the beginning of a new era for water sports in our country. It inspires a generation of athletes who dream of representing India on the world stage.”
Local athletes embrace the opportunity. Mohsin Ali, a kayaking champion from J&K with 15 national medals, trains with the hope of winning gold at the home venue.
Beyond the races, the festival highlights Kashmir’s cultural and ecological identity. Cleaning drives preserve the lake’s environment, while the mascot — the Himalayan Kingfisher — and a logo featuring a shikara reflect its local character.
Shikara operator and former athlete Mohammad Rafiq Malla believes the event brings opportunities beyond sports. “This festival benefits athletes as well as people like me who live on the lake. Visitors see our daily life on the water, from floating gardens to the beauty of the Zabarwan mountains,” he says.
Spread over 18 square kilometres, Dal Lake is central to the region’s economy and tourism, supporting fishing, aquatic farming, and a thriving houseboat industry. Surrounded by Mughal-era gardens and framed by the Himalayas, it continues to inspire poetry and travel writing.
The Khelo India Water Sports Festival leaves an indelible mark on both Dal Lake’s history and India’s sporting map.
