Marked by a historic grandeur and the legendary chronicles, Udaipur can coax you with the best of scenic vistas and spectacular views of the entire city. The pristine blue lakes in Udaipur adorn the city and capture a corner in everyone’s heart since it is engulfed by greenery, majestic forts and palaces on either side. Udaipur, being regarded as a gateway to a calm and serene retreat, provide you plentiful reasons to appreciate nature and art. How both are dancing partners to revitalize your heart and mind, is itself will be mystery within you!
Famous Lakes in Udaipur: Let’s Witness the Panoramic Views of the Enchanting Lakes
Being revolved around the striving stories for water amongst the common masses, the mighty Rajputs smoothened up their lives by constructing the most beautiful 7 artificial lakes in Udaipur. What interests the traveler is the interconnectedness among these 7 lakes within the boundaries of this exquisite city. Meeting the basic requirements of the residents with the daily visual treats, Udaipur hosts lakes that stand out for their serenity and alluring effect. Every lake is the best kept secret of Udaipur to make you feel the vibrancy and tranquility at the same time. Exclusive Souvenir Shopping should be added to your list of things to do in Udaipur to bring some fond memories with you.
Let’s have a look at the list of lakes in Udaipur:
- Fateh Sagar Lake
- Lake Pichola
- Udaisagar Lake
- Jaisamand Lake
- Rajsamand Lake
- Badi Lake
- Doodh Talai Lake
- Swaroop Sagar Lake
- Madar Lake
- Purohito Ka Talab
1. Fateh Sagar Lake: Find Solace Amid Lush Greenery
Best known as the “Pride of Udaipur” and one of the most visited lakes in India, it was built by Maharana Jai Singh in 17th century and later renovated by Maharana Fateh Singh. Nestled amid the mountains on all three sides, the lake looks like a pear with three different islands scattered uniformly. The most popular island and largest one is the Nehru Park, which can be easily accessible by motorboats, the second one features an appealing water jet fountain. Moreover, the third island is the abode to Asia’s best solar site, also called Udaipur Solar Observatory, the epitome of research and astronomy. Never miss out the breathtaking scenes of the Fateh Sagar Lake during twilight. Go through the best attractions in Udaipur to plan your next vacation.
Address: Dewali, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 8 a.m to 6 p.m
Activities: Regular boat ride, motor boat ride, speed boat rides
2. Lake Pichola: Feel The Royalty Through Architectural Wonders
One of the oldest and biggest lakes of Udaipur, a symbol of earthly paradise hosts thousands of tourists during a single day. Often featured in most Bollywood and Hollywood movies for its picturesque beauty, it was built in 1362 and derived its name from a village called Picholi village. One of the best lakes in Udaipur, that holds some exhilarating experiences for the tourists to explore the essence and beauty of this lake. Pichola Lake mainly consists of four islands namely Jag Niwas, the home to Lake Palace; Jag Mandir, Arsi Vilas, the storehouse of ammunition with a small palace and the best sunset viewpoint; Mohan Mandir, the best site to observe the Gangaur festival celebration.
Address: Rameshwar Ghat, City Palace Complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 9 a.m to 6 p.m
Activities: Boat riding, Vintage walk tour
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3. Udaisagar Lake: Take the Best Shot of the Evening Silhouettes
Built by Maharana Udai Singh in 1565, Udai Sagar Lake is one of the most celebrated lakes in Udaipur. Catering to the needs of the common residents back in the 16th century, this lake still serves the native people and happens to be the one of the most famous lakes. Among the numbers of lakes in Udaipur, it can be considered as the positive outcome of the dam being constructed on Berach river to secure the lives of people with abundant waterflow. It extends up to a length of about 4 kilometers and a close spectator of numerous warfare taken place on the bank of the lake. A must visit destination with your closed one to surrender yourself in the lap of nature.
Address: Panwari, Udaipur
Timings: 8 a.m to 6 p.m
Activities: Boat Ride, food tour in the stalls nearby
Suggested Read: Historical Forts in Rajasthan: Travel Back in Time to the Glorious Past
4. Jaisamand Lake: Feel the Eternal Connection of Nature and Art
The worlds’s oldest historical and second largest artificial lake of India is none other than the Jaisamand Lake or Dhebar Lake situated in Udaipur. Dated back to the 17th century, these 14 kilometers (about 8.7 mi) long lake has a glorified past of the royal kingdom who were in power at that time. With a total area of 87 sq.km, it was built in the time when king Rana Jai Singh of Udaipur constructed a marble dam on the Gomati Riverbank. The lake is encircled by marvelous marble-carved gravestones and grand palaces on either side. It is the haven to Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary that caters the needs to a huge range of wildlife and one of the best lakes to visit in Udaipur.
Address: Dhebar Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 10 a.m to 5 p.m
Activities: Boat ride, visiting Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
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5. Rajsamand Lake: Listen to the Whispers of Your Heart
Situated in the Rajsamand district of Udaipur, this lake is also known as Rajsamudra Lake constructed against the Gomti River. Built by Maharana Raj Singh in 17th century, it can be considered as one of the hidden gems of Udaipur for the tranquil environment. You can watch out for the scenic sunset views while taking long evening strolls on the bank. Characterized by the 9-marble carved ghats or “nav chawkis” to dive into the pristine blues and 12 pavilions with Mewar inscriptions perched on the embankment, this lake is known for perfect stillness out of the varied artificial lakes in Udaipur Rajasthan.
Address: Kelwara, Rajsamand
Timings: 10 a.m to 7 p.m
Activities: Boat rides
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6. Badi Lake: Enliven the Slow Pace of Life
The most iconic lake engulfed by elevated hills and palaces, Badi Lake with a steep hill in between never fails to attract tourists for the stunning views and composure. Moreover, this man-made freshwater lake was built by Maharana Raj Singh to recover the common masses in the region from the severe drought problem in 1973. Most popularly known as “Jiyan Sagar”, the lake got its name from the name of the King’s mother, Jana Devi. Don’t miss out on a chance to visit this lake during your visit to Udaipur to enjoy a blissful evening amid the calm atmosphere at the lake. Often considered as the epitome of harmony, it should be your top priority in your list among the places to visit in Udaipur.
Address: Lake Badi, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 8 a.m to 6.30 p.m
Activities: Regular boat ride, motor boat ride, speed boat rides
Suggested Read: Fun Things to do in Jaipur: A Perfect Way to Experience India's Vibrant Culture
7. Doodh Talai Lake: Embark on a Whimsical Journey
Doodh Talai Lake, also known as “Milk Pond”, is located just adjacent to the Pichola Lake and near to one of historical landmarks named Shiva Niwas Palace. Situated in the heart of the city, one of the best lakes in Udaipur is easily accessible to tourists, offers exuberant striking views. Indulge in sightseeing of the entire lake along with the beautiful views of the majestic Lake Palace and historic Pichola Lake that has withstood challenges over the times. You can carry out horse riding and camel riding activities to explore the unparalleled beauty of the lake. Exclusive Souvenir Shopping should be added to your list of things to do in Udaipur to bring some fond memories with you.
Address: Dudh Talai, Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 9 a.m to 10 p.m
Activities: Boat rides, Rajasthani food tour, Horse & Camel riding
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8. Swaroop Sagar Lake: Embrace Serendipity at One Go
Named after the king Maharana Swarup Singh of Udaipur, Swaroop Sagar Lake was constructed to maintain the balance of water level in the existing lake bodies for continual waterflow in the region. Also known as Kumharia Talab, it’s the combination of two other lake bodies namely Fateh Sagar Lake and Pichola Lake. Built in the 19th century, this lake still meets the requirements of the residents by avoiding water congestion. What distinguishes the lake from other lakes of Udaipur is the fully functional dam perched on the lake that caters to the needs of vacationers. Out of the total lakes in Udaipur, it’s a famous picnic spot and visitors can enjoy boat rides too.
Address: Swaroop Sagar Lake, Udaipur
Timings: 8 a.m to 6.30 p.m
Activities: Boat rides
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9. Madar Lake: A Sweet Escape to Ecstasy
Perched in one of the pastoral villages, the Madar Lake or “Choti Madar Lake” is itself the best kept secret of Udaipur that entails a long trek to witness this unparalleled beauty. Passing through the lush greens, rustic marvels, abundant green farms, the feeling of getting closer to experiencing the etherealness of the lake is itself an escape from your mundane life and can be counted as a stimulating adventure in Rajasthan. It shelters the seasonal migratory birds and is one of the famous spots to engage in bird watching. A perfect destination for nature enthusiasts to observe this natural habitat and feathered creatures.
Address: Salumbar, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: Visit during daytime hours
Activities: Trekking, self-guided cycle tours
Suggested Read: Tourist Places to Visit in Bharatpur: Embark on a Journey Through Time and Nature
10. Purohito Ka Talab: Render Yourself to the Arms of Nature
Surrounded by green mountains with numerous ghats perched on the embankment of the lake, the Purohito Ka Talab is also best known as “Mini Jaisamand Lake”. It is considered as an offbeat tourist spot, yet a phenomenal one by showcasing the state’s fanciful culture to keep it intact. Try spotting a grand wall embellished with Indian artwork representing the state’s vibrant culture. Morever, it happens to be the top scenic spot for pre-wedding photoshoots. Soak yourself in the exotic beauty of this pristine lake and you won’t regret to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The City of Lakes, Udaipur is a pocketful of adventure and fun accompanied by natural bliss that makes it one of the popular places to go in India.
Address: Amberi, Rajasthan
Timings: 7 a.m to 7 p.m
Activities: Family picnic, sightseeing
Suggested Read: Things to Do in Mount Abu: Add an Adventurous Page to Your Vacation
Plunge yourself in the biggest adventure of discovering the untold truths about the lakes in Udaipur and witness the adorable views of them. Indulge yourself in the leisure activities offered in the best lake destinations to make your trip more exciting with your beloved one. Appreciating the opulent artistry by taking evening strolls around the lakes and watching the mellow-yellow views of the setting sun with some munchies is a delightful experience. Are you up for luxury vacay? Book your Udaipur tour packages now and get ready for a lavish affair.
FAQs
Udaipur, also known as City of Lakes, is the abode of 7 interconnected artificial lakes that were constructed for the well-being and prosperity of the residents in Udaipur. The top famous 7 lakes in Udaipur are:
- Fateh Sagar Lake
- Pichola lake
- Udai Sagar Lake
- Rajsamand Lake
- Jaisamand Lake
- Dudh Talai Lake
- Badi Lake
Pichola Lake is one of the oldest and largest artificial freshwater lakes in Udaipur with breathtaking views. With 4 serene islands namely Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir, Mohan Mandir, and Arsi Vilas nestled in and around the lake, it attracts thousands of tourists from across the world.
Fateh Sagar Lake is the most beautiful lake in Udaipur that the city takes pride in for its magnificence. With the enthralling views of the green Aravalli's and the distant glorified palaces, the lake greets the tourists with some everlasting memories.
Udaipur has numerous artificial lakes and dams built on it because the Rajput kings tried to meet the requirements of the city folks by providing regular water supply for irrigation and water consumption purposes.
The major sources of water supply in Udaipur lakes are groundwater and surface water sources. The topmost artificial lakes in Udaipur namely Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, Badi, Madar, Udai Sagar, and Rajsamand Lake have surface water sources, whereas few of the lakes have groundwater sources extracted from tube wells and open wells.
Yes, Udaipur is known as the “City of Lakes” as it’s the home to 7 man-made lakes, constructed to resolve the issues like water scarcity and sanitation for a hygienic and healthier lifestyle to promote among the common masses in Udaipur.
Udaipur was constructed by Udai Singh II, Sisodia clan of Rajputs in 16th century during the transfer of their kingdom’s capital from Chittorgarh city to Udaipur after being surrounded by the armed forces of Akbar.
Pichola Lake has a depth of about 30 feet and extends up to 3 miles and 2 miles in terms of length and breath. It was built by Pichhu Banjara in 14th century during the reign of Maharana Lakha.
Udaipur is the most visited destination in Rajasthan and famous for its rich cultural history and royal grandeur. Tourists pay a visit to Udaipur to witness the splendid forts and palaces that have withstood natural calamities over the times.
Udaisagar Lake is located on the outskirts, towards the easternmost part of Udaipur city. With about 13 kilometers (about 8.08 mi) distance from the city, this lake has a depth of about 9 meters, length of 4 kilometers and width of 2.5 kilometers.