Falak Bilal
Srinagar, March 11: On the calm waters of Dal Lake, the iconic wooden houseboats have long stood as one of the most recognizable symbols of Kashmir’s tourism and cultural heritage. These floating homes, admired by visitors from around the world, are the result of generations of craftsmanship and patience—an art that continues to survive through artisans like Ghulam Ahmad Najar.
“I learned this craft from my father, and for the past 45 years I have been building houseboats. It is not just a profession for us, it is our family legacy,” Najar said.
“Right now we are constructing a 135-foot-long houseboat. It usually takes around one and a half years to complete a single houseboat because every part is made carefully by hand,” he explained.
The houseboat under construction will feature five bedrooms and a total of seven rooms, along with separate bathrooms and detailed interiors designed to provide visitors with a comfortable stay on the lake. Once completed, the structure is expected to be worth nearly ₹5 crore.
Traditional Kashmiri houseboats are primarily constructed using deodar cedar wood, a material known for its strength, durability, and resistance to water.
“The wood we use is Kashmiri deodar, which is very strong and expensive. That is why a well-built houseboat can last for decades,” Najar said.
The construction process involves skilled carpenters, known locally as ghar-chaan, who assemble the wooden hull using large planks. Many of the planks are joined using iron staples and natural resin-soaked ropes instead of conventional nails, a technique passed down through generations.
The interiors are often decorated with intricate walnut wood carvings and traditional khatamband wooden ceilings, along with Kashmiri carpets and embroidered textiles that reflect the Valley’s rich craft heritage.
Building a single houseboat is not the effort of one craftsman alone. According to Najar, the work requires the involvement of numerous artisans, including carpenters, wood carvers, decorators, and other skilled workers.
“This work requires a lot of patience and hard labour. Many craftsmen work together to complete one houseboat,” he said.
Once completed, the houseboats are placed on Dal Lake, where they become part of Srinagar’s famous floating hospitality culture. Visitors from across India and abroad often choose to stay in these houseboats rather than hotels to experience the traditional charm of Kashmir.
“Tourists from different countries come to Kashmir and prefer staying in houseboats because they want to experience the traditional lifestyle of Dal Lake,” Najar said.
Despite its global appeal, the centuries-old craft is now facing uncertainty. Najar believes the lack of interest among younger generations poses one of the biggest challenges to its survival.
“But this craft is slowly declining because young people are not interested. It takes years to learn and the work is very demanding,” he said.
He added that government support sometimes helps sustain the trade.
“Sometimes we receive official orders from the government for building houseboats, and that helps keep this traditional craft alive,” Najar noted.
For artisans like Najar, houseboats are more than just structures floating on water—they are a living representation of Kashmir’s culture, skill, and history.
As tourism continues to draw visitors to Dal Lake, craftsmen such as Ghulam Ahmad Najar remain determined to preserve the craft, ensuring that the iconic houseboats of Kashmir continue to sail gracefully across the waters for generations to come
