Visitors to Kashmir’s iconic Dal Lake are rediscovering a unique piece of heritage that allows them to literally send mail while on the water: the world’s only officially-recognized Floating Post Office.
Anchored to the western edge of the lake, the post office operates from a beautifully carved, traditional Kashmiri houseboat. More than just a tourist attraction, this functional branch of India Post serves both the local community living in houseboats and the thousands of travellers who visit the tranquil waters each year.
The biggest draw for visitors is the ability to mail a letter or postcard from this one-of-a-kind location. All mail posted from the houseboat receives a unique and distinct cancellation seal that depicts a local boatman—a shikara—gliding across Dal Lake. This special stamp instantly transforms a simple piece of mail into a cherished souvenir, carrying a piece of the Kashmir valley to destinations across the globe.
“It’s an incredible experience,” said one tourist from Delhi. “You step off the shikara, buy a local postcard, write a note to your family, and get it stamped right here on the lake. It feels like sending a message through time.”
The floating structure, which was officially renamed and upgraded in 2011 from its original, older version, operates like any other post office, offering regular services, including speed post and registered mail.
One of the two rooms in the houseboat is dedicated to the postal counter, while the other serves as a small philately museum, showcasing the rich postal history of the region and displaying rare stamps and artefacts.
The Floating Post Office on Dal Lake remains a vibrant symbol of resilience and tradition, blending the city’s ancient reliance on its waterways with the timeless act of written correspondence.
