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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ganderbal
| type = [[Districts of Jammu and Kashmir|District]]
| image_skyline = File:Gund village.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Gund village
| image_map = Jammu and Kashmir Ganderbal district.svg
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|34.23|N|74.78|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|Union territory]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| seat_type = [[Headquarters]]
| seat = [[Ganderbal]]
| area_total_km2 = 1979
| population_total = 297446
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Ganderbali, Ganderbalia
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Urdu]], [[Hindi]], [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[English language|English]]<ref name="OfficialLang">{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222037.pdf |title=The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 |publisher=The Gazette of India|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 | work=Rising Kashmir | date=23 September 2020| url=http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Other
| demographics1_info2 = [[Pahari language (Kashmir)|Pahari]], [[Gujari language|Gujari]], [[Shina language|Shina]], [[Balti language|Balti]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]]
| population_note =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
| postal_code_type = Pincode
| postal_code = 191201
| area_code_type =
| area_code = 194
| iso_code = 0194
| website = {{url|http://ganderbal.nic.in/}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}
'''Ganderbal district''' is a district in the [[India]]n administered [[union territory]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. It was formed in 2007 and has 6 subdistricts (tehsils): [[Kangan, Jammu and Kashmir|Kangan]], [[Ganderbal]], Tullamulla, [[Wakura]], [[Lar, Jammu and Kashmir | Lar]], and Gund.<ref name=Tehsils2020/>

==Historic sites and remains==
===Kheer Bhawani===
[[Kheer Bhawani]] is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Bhawani constructed over a sacred spring in [[Tulmul]] village. The term kheer refers to rice pudding that is offered in the spring to propitiate the Goddess, which became part of the name of the temple. As is the custom with Hindu deities.

===Naranag Temple===
The [[Wangath Temple complex|Naranag Temple]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kashmirmonitor.org/11292011-ND-naranag-temple-in-ruins-who-cares-15732.aspx|title=Naranag temple in ruins|publisher=kashmirmonitor.org|access-date=2012-04-25|archive-url=https://archive.is/20120804221303/http://www.kashmirmonitor.org/11292011-ND-naranag-temple-in-ruins-who-cares-15732.aspx|archive-date=4 August 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> is one of the important archaeological sites of the country. The ancient pilgrimage site is a group of several temples and is situated in the [[Naranag]] village near [[Harmukh Mountain]] about {{convert|50|km|mi}} from [[Srinagar]] city. The ancient name for the place is Sodarteertha; Bhuteshwara (now But Sher, midway on the trek to [[Gangbal]] lake) and Nandikshetra ([[Nundkol]] lake area) are two other holy sites associated with it. The site consists of a cluster of temples facing each other at a distance of about {{convert|100|m|ft}}. Historians say that the temple is dedicated to [[Lord Shiva]] by the 8th-century ruler Lalithdatiya Muktadiya. It is believed that the King Awantivarman paid a visit and donated a pedestal for bathing at Bhutsher. Even today one gets surprised over art and skill of the builders of this temple. Its impressive architecture reveals the glorious past, the magnificent art of the 8th century. The government has only recently constructed walls to protect it from encroachments and nothing else has been done. It is now left in ruins of which only faint traces have survived.

==Geography==
Ganderbal district, has its district headquarters located at {{coord|33.73|N|75.15|E|}} in the town of [[Ganderbal]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Ganderbal.html |title=Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ganderbal |publisher=fallingrain.com |access-date=2012-04-24 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> is at an average elevation of {{convert|1950|m|ft}} above mean sea level. The town is at a distance of {{convert|21|km|mi}} from Srinagar city.

The mountainous Ganderbal district is spread across the [[Sind River]]. It is the only river in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] on which three hydroelectric power stations are functional; besides that the river provides water for irrigation, 80% population<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diragrikmr.nic.in/ganderbal.html|title=Agriculture directory of Ganderbal|publisher=diragrikmr.nic|access-date=2012-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121185122/http://diragrikmr.nic.in/ganderbal.html|archive-date=21 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> of the district is engaged with farming. The sand (bajri) of this river has a great value for money for its quality.

[[Harmukh]] is the highest peak in the region and [[Gangbal]] the largest alpine lake.

The district currently has six subdistricts ([[tehsil]]s):<ref name=Tehsils2020>{{citation |url=https://ganderbal.nic.in/tehsil/ |title=Subdivsion and Tehsils |access-date=23 July 2020 |work=District Ganderbal, Government of Jammu and Kashmir}}</ref><ref name=AmdminSetUp/>
* [[Kangan, Jammu and Kashmir|Kangan]]
* [[Ganderbal]]
* Tullamulla
* [[Wagoora|Wakoora]]
* Lar
* Gund

It is further divided into nine CD blocks: Ganderbal, Wakoora, Lar, Kangan, Gund, Shearpathri, Phaag, Manigam and Batwina.<ref name=AmdminSetUp>{{citation |url=https://ganderbal.nic.in/administrative-setup/ |title=Administrative Setup |access-date=23 July 2020 |work=District Ganderbal, Government of Jammu and Kashmir}}</ref><ref>[http://jkrd.nic.in/listAllDistricts.pdf Statement showing the number of blocks in respect of 22 Districts of Jammu and Kashmir State including newly created districts] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910092544/http://jkrd.nic.in/listAllDistricts.pdf |date=10 September 2008 }} dated 2008-03-13, accessed 2012-04-24</ref> Each block consists of a number of [[panchayat]]s. Ganderbal District has 2 assembly constituencies: Kangan and Ganderbal.<ref name=AmdminSetUp/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ceojammukashmir.nic.in/ERos_AERos.html |title=ERO's and AERO's |publisher=Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir |access-date=2012-04-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022185235/http://ceojammukashmir.nic.in/eros_aeros.html |archive-date=2008-10-22 }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{bar box
|title=Sex Ratio in Ganderbal District in 2011 Census.<ref name="census2011-C01"/><br>(no. females per 1,000 males)
|float=left
|width=360px
|left1=Religion (and population)
|right1=Sex Ratio
|bars=
{{bar pixel|Muslim (pop 290,581)|green|90.456||905 }}
{{bar pixel|Hindu (pop 5,592)|orange|7.912||79 }}
{{bar pixel|Other (pop 1,273)|grey|31.644||316 }}
{{bar pixel|Total (pop 297,446)|black|87.403||874 }}
}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
| caption=Ganderbal district: mother-tongue of population, according to the 2011 Census.<ref name="census2011-C16"/>
|label1 = Gojri |value1 = 18.68 |color1 = Tomato
|label2 = Hindi |value2 = 1.31 |color2 = Yellow
|label3 = Pahari |value3 = 2.61 |color3 = Pink
|label4 = Kashmiri |value4 = 68.92 |color4 = LightGreen
|label5 = Afghani |value5 = 3.49 |color5 = Purple
|label6 = Balti |value6 = 0.67 |color6 = Cyan
|label7 = Gujari |value7 = 1.53 |color7 = DarkGoldenrod
|label8 = Shina |value8 = 0.96 |color8 = Blue
|label9 = Others |value9 = 1.83 |color9 = Black
}}

{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! colspan=10 | Ganderbal district: religion, gender ratio, and % urban of population, according to the 2011 Census.<ref name="census2011-C01">{{cite report |title=C-1 Population By Religious Community – Jammu & Kashmir |url = https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW01C-01%20MDDS.XLS |publisher = Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
!|
!| Hindu
!| Muslim
!| Christian
!| Sikh
!| Buddhist
!| Jain
!| Other
!| Not stated
!| Total
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Total
|| 5,592 || 290,581 || 406 || 486 || 25 || 8 || 4 || 344 || 297,446
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
|| 1.88% || 97.69% || 0.14% || 0.16% || 0.01% || 0.00% || 0.00% || 0.12% || 100.00%
|-
| colspan=10|
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Male
|| 5,182 || 152,571 || 255 || 458 || 19 || 1 || 3 || 231 || 158,720
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Female
|| 410 || 138,010 || 151 || 28 || 6 || 7 || 1 || 113 || 138,726
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Gender ratio (% female)
|| 7.3% || 47.5% || 37.2% || 5.8% || 24.0% || 87.5% || 25.0% || 32.8% || 46.6%
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;"
| style="text-align:left;"| Sex ratio <br><small>(no. of females per 1,000 males)</small>
|| 79 || 905 || – || – || – || – || – || – || 874
|-
| colspan=10|
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Urban
|| 389 || 46,498 || 53 || 38 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 57 || 47,039
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Rural
|| 5,203 || 244,083 || 353 || 448 || 22 || 8 || 3 || 287 || 250,407
|- style="vertical-align:top;text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | % Urban
|| 7.0% || 16.0% || 13.1% || 7.8% || 12.0% || 0.0% || 25.0% || 16.6% || 15.8%
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! colspan=4| Ganderbal district: mother-tongue of population, according to the 2011 Census.<ref name="census2011-C16">{{cite report |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Jammu & Kashmir |url = https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0100.XLSX |publisher = Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! Mother tongue code
! Mother tongue
! People
! Percentage
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 001002 || [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| style="text-align:right;" |29
| style="text-align:right;" |0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 002007 || [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
| style="text-align:right;" |220
| style="text-align:right;" |0.07%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 004001 || [[Dogri language|Dogri]]
| style="text-align:right;" |181
| style="text-align:right;" |0.06%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 005018 || [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| style="text-align:right;" |84
| style="text-align:right;" |0.03%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006030 || [[Awadhi language|Awadhi]]
| style="text-align:right;" |41
| style="text-align:right;" |0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006096 || [[Bharmauri language|Bharmauri/Gaddi]]
| style="text-align:right;" |65
| style="text-align:right;" |0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006102 || [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]
| style="text-align:right;" |86
| style="text-align:right;" |0.03%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006207 || [[Gojri language|Gojri/Gujjari/Gujar]]
| style="text-align:right;" |55,570
| style="text-align:right;" |18.68%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006235 || [[Haryanvi language|Haryanvi]]
| style="text-align:right;" |62
| style="text-align:right;" |0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006240 || [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| style="text-align:right;" |3,889
| style="text-align:right;" |1.31%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006340 || [[Kumauni language|Kumauni]]
| style="text-align:right;" |91
| style="text-align:right;" |0.03%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006420 || [[Nagpuria language|Nagpuria]]
| style="text-align:right;" |20
| style="text-align:right;" |0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006439 || [[Pahari language|Pahari]]
| style="text-align:right;" |7,750
| style="text-align:right;" |2.61%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 006489 || [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]]
| style="text-align:right;" |136
| style="text-align:right;" |0.05%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 007016 || [[Kannada language|Kannada]]
| style="text-align:right;" |40
| style="text-align:right;" |0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 008005 || [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]
| style="text-align:right;" |204,985
| style="text-align:right;" |68.92%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 008019 || Dardi
| style="text-align:right;" |1,046
| style="text-align:right;" |0.35%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 011016 || [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]]
| style="text-align:right;" |82
| style="text-align:right;" |0.03%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 013071 || [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| style="text-align:right;" |255
| style="text-align:right;" |0.09%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 014011 || [[Nepali language|Nepali]]
| style="text-align:right;" |21
| style="text-align:right;" |0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 015043 || [[Odia language|Odia]]
| style="text-align:right;" |110
| style="text-align:right;" |0.04%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 016038 || [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| style="text-align:right;" |427
| style="text-align:right;" |0.14%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 020027 || [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| style="text-align:right;" |134
| style="text-align:right;" |0.05%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 021046 || [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| style="text-align:right;" |124
| style="text-align:right;" |0.04%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 022015 || [[Urdu language|Urdu]]
| style="text-align:right;" |663
| style="text-align:right;" |0.22%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 024001 || [[Pashto language|Afghani/Kabuli/Pashto]]
| style="text-align:right;" |10,367
| style="text-align:right;" |3.49%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 029002 || [[Balti language|Balti]]
| style="text-align:right;" |1,994
| style="text-align:right;" |0.67%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 030011 || Chodhari
| style="text-align:right;" |35
| style="text-align:right;" |0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 053005 || [[Gujari language|Gujari]]
| style="text-align:right;" |4,544
| style="text-align:right;" |1.53%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 059003 || [[Kinnauri language|Kinnauri]]
| style="text-align:right;" |17
| style="text-align:right;" |0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 073003 || [[Ladakhi language|Ladakhi]]
| style="text-align:right;" |53
| style="text-align:right;" |0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 109005 || [[Shina language|Shina]]
| style="text-align:right;" |2,870
| style="text-align:right;" |0.96%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|| 117009 || [[Tulu language|Tulu]]
| style="text-align:right;" |200
| style="text-align:right;" |0.07%
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| style="text-align:center;" | –
|| [[Languages of India|Others]]
| style="text-align:right;" |1,255
| style="text-align:right;" |0.42%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" class=sortbottom
| colspan=2 | Total
| style="text-align:right;" |297,446
| style="text-align:right;" |100.00%
|-
|}

{{clear|left}}

==Climate==
Ganderbal district possesses all the typical characteristics of the climate of Kashmir Valley as a whole. In the heat of July, the breeze of the Sindh River is a welcome relief. Sir Walter Lawrence writes in his book ''The Valley of Kashmir'' that in latitude, Kashmir corresponds with Peshawar, Baghdad and Damascus in Asia: with Fez in Morocco: and South Carolina in America, but it presents none of the characteristics of those countries. People have linked the climate of Kashmir to that of Switzerland until the end of May, and of Southern France in July and August. But it is impossible to speak of Kashmir as possessing any one climate or group of characteristics. Every hundred feet of elevation brings some new phase of climate and of vegetation.

==Tourism==
The Ganderbal district is located in valley of the [[Sind River|Sindh River]], also known as Nallah Sindh. It is rich in landscape and is often called the District of Lakes, as it possesses the highest number of lakes in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

===Sonamarg===
{{Main|Sonamarg}}
This famous hill station is situated {{convert|80|km|mi}} from [[Srinagar]] and located on the banks of Sindh River at an altitude of 2,800 meters. Sonamarg also hosts the International Championships of Rafting on Sindh River. It presents a glamorous look due to its alpine meadows, snow-clad mountains, and healthy climate. Sonamarg skirts Sindh River and torrential flow of water in this river enriches its awesome beauty. Besides several hotels in private sector have come up here and these hotels provide modern facilities to their guests. A number of treks in this region also begin from Sonamarg to high altitude lakes of Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar and Gangabal stocked with snow trout and brown trout.

===Manasbal Lake===
{{Main|Manasbal Lake}}
Manasbal Lake is the main attraction for tourists in Ganderbal district, {{convert|12|km|mi}} north west of district headquarters of Ganderbal. It is {{convert|5|km|mi}} long and {{convert|1|km|mi}} wide. It is located in the Jhelum valley, north of [[Srinagar]] city in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. The name Manasbal is said to be a derivative of the [[Lake Manasarovar]].<ref name = "kas_lake">http://kashmir-tourism.com/jammu-kashmir-lakes-mansabal-lake.htm, Manasbal Lake</ref> Lake is encircled by three villages: Jarokbal, Kondabal (also called Kiln place; is situated on the north-eastern side of the lake) and Ganderbal and is stated to be the deepest lake (at {{convert|13|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}} depth) in the Kashmir valley. The large growth of lotus ([[Nelumbo nucifera]]) at the periphery of the lake (blooms during July and August) adds to the beauty of the clear waters of the lake. The [[Mughal garden]], called the Garoka, (meaning bay window) built by [[Nur Jahan]] overlooks the lake.<ref name=Jam_kash>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiainfoweb.com/jammu-kashmir/lakes/mansabal-lake.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214113038/http://www.indiainfoweb.com/jammu-kashmir/lakes/mansabal-lake.html |archive-date=2012-02-14 }} Mansbal lake</ref>

The lake is a good place for [[birdwatching]] as it is one of the largest natural stamping grounds of aquatic birds in Kashmir and has the sobriquet of "supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes".<ref name=manas_bal>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-57.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303215814/http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-57.html |archive-date=2012-03-03 }} Manasbal Lake</ref><ref>[http://www.mascottravels.com/kashmirlakes.htm kashmir lakes]</ref> The rootstocks of lotus plant which grows extensively in the lake are harvested and marketed, and also eaten by the local people.<ref name = "kas_lake"/>

The lake is approached from [[Srinagar]] by a {{convert|30|km|adj=on}} road via Shadipur, [[Nasim, Kashmir|Nasim]] and Gandarbal. Road to [[Wular Lake]], the largest lake in [[Kashmir]], passes through this lake, via Safapur.<ref name = "kas_lake"/>

===Prang===
[[File:nallah sindh.jpg|thumb|Sindh River]]

Prang village is 12 kilometres far from the central hub (beehama) of district Ganderbal, towards the east. Srinagar-Leh National Highway (NH 1D) passes right through the middle of this village. This village falls under the jurisdiction of tehsil Kangan.

=== Overview ===
Prang village is known for its natural and enthralling beauty. The main attraction of this village is its garden, which attracts the tourists throughout the year. This village is also famous for its clear streams, cold air and mighty mountains.

The Prang garden used to be the picnic spot in 1990's before army came and established the base camp there. However, the army camp was later evacuated from the garden in the year 2008. This garden is situated on the banks of the famous Sindh River, and forested slopes are on the other side of the garden adding more charm to its beauty. The famous Environmental park (usually known as the "dumping park") is in the adjacent village of Prang.

This village is considered as the main hub for its adjacent areas. The adjacent areas of this village are "Lari Prang, Check Prang, Herra Prang, Pati Prang and dragtung".

===Mohand Marg===
Mohand Marg is an [[alpine meadow]] in the [[Lar, Jammu and Kashmir|Lar]] [[tehsil]]. In summer it is a tourist destination for trekking and camping. Sir [[Aurel Stein]] was the first person to explore the place, pitching his camp in the summer of 1895.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Mohand Marg: Sir Aurel Stein's Private Kingdom & Indira Gandhi's Honeymoon Destination {{!}} Honeymoon destinations, Honeymoon, Scenic|url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/584975439079675622/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Pinterest|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mohand Marg|url=http://wikimapia.org/21372140/Mohand-Marg|access-date=2021-01-18|website=wikimapia.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mohandmarg Trek|url=https://cliffhangersindia.com/tours/mohandmarg-trek/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Cliffhangers India|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-21|title=Kashmiri Followers of Aurel Stein|url=https://www.thekashmirmonitor.net/kashmiri-followers-of-aurel-stein/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=The Kashmir Monitor|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Neve|first=Arthur|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N68BAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Mohandmarg%22+-wikipedia|title=The Legacy of Kashmir, Ladakh & Skardu|date=1979|publisher=Civil and Military Gazette|language=en}}</ref>

It is hidden in the mountains to the north of Srinagar at the foot of Haramukh Peaks about 25 kilometers from [[Srinagar]] via the [[Ganderbal]] road towards Leh. From the road it is accessed via 5 kilometer trek up a steep path through the hill-side settlements and fields of Lar and Chount Waliwar before the 'Marg' opens out across the mountain side giving views of the Sindh Valley far below in one direction and the Valley of Kashmir in the other.

===Harmukh===
{{Main|Harmukh}}
[[File:Mount Harmukh.JPG|thumb|Gangabal Lake at foothills of Harmukh]]
Harmukh (also known as Mount Haramukh or Harmukh mountain) is a mountain with a peak elevation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wolframalpha.com/entities/mountains_elevation/how_high_is_harmukh%3F/0m/uc/ni/|title=How high is Harmukh|publisher=wolframalpha.com|access-date=2012-04-24}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> of {{convert|5148|m|ft|disp=flip|abbr=in}}, in Ganderbal district of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. Harmukh is part of the [[Himalaya]] [[Mountain Range|Range]], and is located between Sindh River to its south and [[Neelum River]] to its north. It rises from [[Gangabal Lake]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koausa.org/Geography/ch1.5.html|title=Geography of Kashmir|publisher=kousa.org|access-date=2012-04-24}}</ref> in the vicinity of [[Kashmir valley]]. It is more hazardous to reach Mount Haramukh from the east and south side of [[Ganderbal]] and has never been climbed from these sides; thus, it is mostly climbed in the north-west from the Arin [[Bandipore]] side.

Harmukh was first climbed by the [[Great Trigonometric Survey]]'s [[Thomas George Montgomerie|Thomas Montgomerie]] in 1856 and made the first survey of the Karakoram some {{convert|130|mi|km|disp=flip|abbr=in}} to the south, and sketched the two most prominent peaks, labelling them K1 and K2.<ref>{{cite book |title=K2: The Story of the Savage Mountain|last=Curran|first=Jim|year=1995 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|isbn=978-0340660072|page=25}}</ref> Harmukh was later climbed by many other climbers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rimoriverexpeditions.com/about_rimo.htm|title=Rimo expeditions|publisher=rimoriverexpeditions.com|access-date=2012-04-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628195329/http://www.rimoriverexpeditions.com/about_rimo.htm|archive-date=2012-06-28}}</ref> Therefore, Harmukh is the mountain from which the world's 2nd highest mountain peak [[K2]] was discovered and the Serveyer's mark K2 continues to be the name.

===Gangabal Lake===
{{Main|Gangabal Lake}}
Gangabal Lake ([[Urdu]]:-ﮔﻨﮕﺒﻞ ﺟﮭﻴﻞ), also called Gangbal Lake, is a [[lake]] situated at the foothills of [[Mount Haramukh]] (the highest mountain peak in the vicinity of Kashmir valley)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaffarakashmir.com/trekking_kashmir.html|title=Trekking Kashmir|publisher=gaffarakashmir.com|access-date=2012-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313064920/http://gaffarakashmir.com/trekking_kashmir.html|archive-date=13 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> in [[Ganderbal]] district, north of [[Srinagar]] city in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] in India. It is an alpine high altitude [[oligotrophic lake]],<ref>{{cite journal|last=Raina|first=HS|author2=KK Vass|title=Some biological features of a freshwater fairy shrimp, Branchinecta schantzi, Mackin, 1952 in the Northwestern Himalayas, India|journal=J. Indian Inst. Sci.|date=May–June 2006|volume=86|pages=287–291|url=http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/vol200603/paper9/287.pdf|access-date=21 February 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and is home to many types of fishes<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x2614e/x2614e05.htm|title=Fishes and Fisheries in high altitude lakes, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Krishansar|publisher=Fao.org|access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref> of which one is the [[brown trout]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Petr|first=ed. by T.|title=Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia|year=1999|publisher=FAO|location=Rome|isbn=92-5-104309-4|page=72|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4HESCeJyZcC&q=Vishansar+Lake&pg=PA72}}</ref>

The lake has a maximum length of {{convert|2.5|km|mi}} and maximum width of {{convert|1|km|mi}}. It is fed by precipitation, glaciers and springs. The lake water outflows to a nearby small lake (Nundakol)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kashmirfirst.com/articles/history/070509_haramukh_gangabal.htm |title=Kashmir First |publisher=Kashmir First |date=1943-08-25 |access-date=2015-12-24}}</ref> and then via Wangath nullah<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nih.ernet.in/rbis/india_information/iNDUS_PROJECTS.htm |title=Water Resources Development Projects in Indus Basin |publisher=Nih.ernet.in |date=2004-08-11 |access-date=2015-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710143538/http://www.nih.ernet.in/rbis/india_information/iNDUS_PROJECTS.htm |archive-date=10 July 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> to Sindh River.<ref>A major tributary to the [[Jehlum river]].</ref> The [[trout]] fishes are present in the lake.<ref>[http://www.public.fotki.com/kashmir-ladakh-tourism/kashmir--ladakh/gangbal-lake-1.html]</ref> Gangabal lake is approached from Srinagar {{convert|45|km|mi}} by road via Ganderbal up to Naranag<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jammuandkashmirupdate.com/news/newsdetail%20122.html |title=Jammu and Kashmir update |publisher=jammuandkashmirupdate.com |access-date=2012-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329232447/http://www.jammuandkashmirupdate.com/news/newsdetail%20122.html |archive-date=2012-03-29 }}</ref> and then a {{convert|15|km|mi}} track upslope.

==See also==
*[[Nawabagh Ganderbal]]
*[[Wakura]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://ganderbal.nic.in/ Official website]
{{Commons category|Ganderbal district}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Ganderbal district
|North = [[Bandipore district]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[Kargil district]]
|Southeast = [[Anantnag district]]
|South = [[Srinagar district]]
|Southwest = [[Baramula district]]
|West =
|Northwest =
}}

{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}

[[Category:Ganderbal district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Jammu and Kashmir]]

Ganderbal district - Revision history

>FrescoBot at 13:56, 6 July 2021