The desert state of Rajasthan may apparently be arid and monotonous
but actually it is not. In fact, the state is dotted with exuberance and
invigoration. Neither it is devoid of any
tourist
activity. The lakes of Rajasthan prove this by offering a lot many
opportunities to the visitors. A list of famous lakes of Rajasthan is given
below:
Balsamand Lake
- Location: 5 Km from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Reservoir
- Maximum Length: 1 Km
Info: Situated 5 km from Jodhpur on
Jodhpur
-Mandore Road, the Balsamand lake is popular picnic spot. It is an
artificial lake which was built by Balak Rao Parihar in 1159 A.D. to provide
water to Mandore as it was built as a water reservoir. The lake is 1 km
long, 50 m broad and 15 m deep. On its embankment, the famous Balsamand Lake
Palace was as a pleasure or summer palace. The lake is surrounded by lush
green gardens that house groves of trees like mango,papaya, pomegranate,
guava and plum and many animals and birds like jackal and peacock.
Jaisamand Lake / Dhebar Lake
- Lake Type: Reservoir
- Surface Area: 50 km² (20 sq mi)
Info: Jaisamand Lake or Dhebar lake boasts of being the
second-largest artificial lake of Asia. Located in
Udaipur, it has an area of 87 km²
(35 square miles) when full. It was created in the 17th century when Rana
Jai Singh of Udaipur built a marble dam across the Gomti River. It can be
reached by the state highway to Baswara from Udaipur. The Jaisamand
wildlife sanctuary which is home to
Panthers, Wild Boars and Deer, is located on the shore of lake and covers an
area of 162 km². The lake has three islands and one of the most famous
resorts - 'The Jaisamand Island Resort' is located on the biggest island of
the three.
Fateh Sagar Lake
- Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Artificial lake, fresh water, polymeric
- Maximum Length: 2.4 km
- Surface Area: 4 km²
Info: Situated in Udaipur city in the Indian state of
Rajasthan, Fateh Sagar Lake
is said to be the pride of the City of Lakes of Udaipur. It is an artificial
lake constructed by Maharana in north of Lake Pichola in 1678 and to the
north-west of Udaipur. Fateh Prakash lake houses three islands the largest
of which is the Nehru Park (4 sq.km area), a popular garden with a
restaurant and a zoo. The second island (0.06 sq. km area) shelters a public
park with an impressive water-jet fountain and the third island (1.2 sq.km
area) is the address for the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO).
Nakki Lake
- Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Artificial
- Tourist Attractions: Boating, horse rides
Info: Located in the only hill station of Rajasthan, Nakki Lake is
tourist delight of Mount Abu. A side path of the lake leads one to the
Sunset Point. Boating and horse rides around the lakes are most attractive
charms of the lake. Situated beside this serene and placid lake is the Sri
Raghunathji temple and the Maharaja Jaipur Palace.
Pachprada Lake
- Location: Barmer, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Saline
Info: situated near Pachpadra in Barmer district of Rajastahn,
Pachprada lake is salt water lake that produces high quality salt. It
contains sodium chloride upto a level of 98%.
Lake Pichola
- Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Freshwater lake
- Maximum Length: 4 km
- Surface Area: 696 ha
Info: Situated in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan in
India, Lake Pichola is an artificial fresh water lake which was created in
the year 1362 A.D. and named after the nearby Picholi village.
Within the boundaries of Pichola lake, are the two islands, Jag Niwas and
Jag Mandir. Lake Pichola has a masonry dam known as the Badipol and is 4 km
long and 3 km wide. The Water volume of lake Pichola is 13.08 M.cum.
Pushkar Lake
- Location: Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Artificial Lake
Info: Pushkar lake is locate din the holy city of Pushkar near Ajmer in
Rajasthan. It is a sanctified spot, which is considered as old as the
creation, and has been a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus since times
immemorial. Surrounded by 52 bathing ghats, devotees throng in large numbers
to take a dip during the month of Kartik (October / November). It has
legends of Brahma associated with it. Pushkar has witnessed the procession
of history from the time of Rama, the hero of the greatest Hindu Epic
Ramayana, to Fa-Hien's accounts of Pushkar in 4th century A.D. and to the
time of Muslim invasion.
Rajsamand Lake
- Location: Rajsamand, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Reservoir
- Length: 4 miles
Info: Also known as Rajsamudra Lake, the Rajasamand Lake is situated in
Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Built in the 17th century, the lake is
approximately 1.75 miles wide, 4 miles long, and 60 feet deep. It was built
across the Gomti, Kelwa, and Tali Rivers, with a catchment area of
approximately 508 square kilometers.
Sambhar Salt Lake
- Location: South west to Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Salt Lake
- Maximum Length: 35.5 km
Info: This largest salt lake of India is located to 96 km south west of the
city of Jaipur (Northwest India). The lake has mythological references an
dis associated to the the times when it was a part of kingdom of the demon
king Brishparva, that appears in Mahabharata, the Hindu epic. The place has
a temple dedicated to Shakhambari Devi who was the the tutelary goddess of
Rajput dynasty. The lake has ecological significance as it has been
designated as a Ramsar site (recognized wetland of international
importance).
Gadisisar Lake
- Location: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Reservoir
Info: Located in Jaisalmer, Gadisisar lake is a tourist attraction
and a water reservoir. It was built as a reservoir in 1156 and later
Maharwal Garsisingh rebuilt it in 1367 hence the lake derives its name form
him. There are number of small temples and cenotaphs that have sprung up
along the banks of the lake with time and it is an ideal place to spot some
of the most beautiful birds
Anasagar Lake
- Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Artificial
Info: This is superb man made lake of Ajmer was made in the 12th
century by building a dam across the river Luni and was named after the then
ruler Anaji Chauhan, who built the lake during 1135-1150 A.D.
Daulat Bagh and Baradari are a contribution of Mughal emperors Jehangir and
Shah Jahan respectively.
Kailana Lake
- Location: Jaislamer, Rajasthan, India
- Lake Type: Artificial Lake
Info: Located 11 kms from Jaisalmer, Lake Kailana Lake is a
beautiful lake known for its placid waters and breathtaking ambiance. This
scenic lake oozed with pulchritude and thus makes an ideal picnic spot
especially recommended for sunsets, tranquility and peacefulness.
Lakes of Udaipur: The city of Udaipur has been a home to
five finest of the lakes of Rajasthan. They are under restoration with funds
provided by the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the Government of
India. The famous five lakes of Udaipur are:
- Fateh Sagar Lake
- Rangsagar lake
- Pichola lake
- Swaroopsagar lake
- Dudh Talai lake