Saturday, December 20, 2008

Lakes In Udaipur

Udaipur is undoubtedly renowned for its picturesque lakes। Read more about Lake of Udaipur.

Lakes make a perfect backdrop to the romantic setting of Udaipur. Udaipur is truly famous for its beautiful lakes and watercourses. The city is popular by the phrase of 'the city of lakes'. Water is a basic necessity of life and lakes full of water give a sense of relief. The Picturesque lakes offering fabulous view of the mountains make Udaipur, a dream destination of every tourist. Since ages, these lakes have been providing water to the city dwellers.

In the evening, boat-ride in these watercourses leaves a soothing impact on the tangled nerves of the people। Lake Pichola, Udai Sagar Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake, Rajsamand Lake and Jaisamand Lake are the five prominent lakes of Udaipur. Apart from these lakes, Doodh Talai, Badi Ka Talab and Kumharia Talab are other small lakes that form the part of watercourses in Udaipur.

Pichola Lake
Pichola Lake is one of the most beautiful and picturesque lakes of Rajasthan, India।

Location : Besides Udaipur City Palace
Built by : Pichhu Banjara
Built in : 1362
Significance : Oldest Lake of Udaipur that is known for its picturesque background
How to reach : One can easily reach Lake Pichola either by taking Local buses, Tongas, auto-rickshaws and taxis from the city

The boat ride in the pristine blue waters of the Lake Pichola, especially, in the backdrop of setting sun is enough to seduce anybody to come to it. Maharaja Udai Singh certainly did not miscalculate the panoramic beauty of the lake, which is surrounded by beautiful hills, when he chose to expand it. Later two beautiful island palaces in the middle of the lake were added by Maharaja Jagjit Singh, now, known as Jag Niwas (popularly known as the Lake Palace) and Jag Mandir that adds to the gleaming beauty of the lake. One of the most amorous holiday spots of the world, the one-time summer residence of the royalty of Udaipur, Lake Palace is made up of white marble. It has now been converted into a magnificent heritage hotel with beautiful pavilions, planned out gardens and legends that always move hand-in-hand with any Rajasthani marvel.

Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is one of the most popular lakes of Udaipur, also called the Lake city।

Location : In the north of Lake Pichola & north-west of Udaipur
Built by : Maharana Jai Singh
Built in : 1678
Highlights :
Three beautiful islands
How to reach : One can easily reach Fatehsagar Lake either by taking local buses, Tongas, auto-rickshaws and taxis from the city

Fateh Sagar Lake is the second artificial lake of Udaipur, the first being Jaisamand lake. Located in the north of Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake lies just besides the entrance to Moti Magri Hill. Built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh, Fateh Sagar Lake got its name from Maharana Fateh Singh, who later made additions to it. Talking about the statistics of Fateh Sagar, the lake extends to the length of 2.4 km, 1.6 km. in width and deep to the extent of 11.5 meter. During the monsoons, the lake covers the total area of around 1 sq km.

Fateh Sagar Lake is well-planned with three intake channels and an overflow channel that is usually brought into play in the rainy season. Fateh Sagar Lake is embellished by three small islands, which can be reached by taking a boat ride in the lake. The largest island of the lake is developed into a park by the name of Nehru Park। The garden comprises a boat-shaped restaurant and a small zoo for children. This island park is the favorite picnic spot of Udaipur dwellers.

Jaisamand Lake
Jaisamand Lake is the second largest artificial lake of Asia। Grab more information on Dhebar Lake of Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Location : 48 kms from Udaipur
Built by : Maharana Jai Singh
Built in : 1685
Highlights : Second largest artificial lake in Asia
How to reach
: One can easily reach Jaisamand Lake either by taking regular buses or by hiring taxis from the city

Jaisamand Lake is renowned for being the second largest artificial lake in Asia. Located at a distance of 48 kms from the city of Udaipur, Jaisamand Lake is also known as Dhebar. In 1685, Maharana Jai Singh built this lake while making a dam on the Gomti River. This lake covers an area of 36sq km, stretches to the length of 14 km and width of 9 km. The lake is deep to the maximum of 102 feet and has a circumference of 30 miles.

Jaisamand Lake was the largest artificial lake in Asia, till the time when Aswan Dam of Egypt was not constructed. The dam on this lake is worth mentioning due to its massive size. It is 1202 feet in length, 116 feet in height and width of 70 feet at the bottom. The kings of Mewar were religious by nature and this is conformed by the fact that this dam has a Shiva temple. Centrally located, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Rajsamand Lake
Rajsamand Lake is one amongst the five major lakes of Udaipur। Rajsamand Lake is also known as Rajsamudra Lake in Rajasthan.

Location : 66 kms in the north of Udaipur
Built by : Maharana Raj Singh
Built in : 1660
Highlights : Ornamented embankment made in stunning white marble
How to reach : One can easily reach Rajsamand Lake either by taking regular buses or by hiring taxis from the city

Rajsamand Lake is one of the five popular lakes of Udaipur. Located 66kms in the north of Udaipur, Rajsamand Lake lies between Rajnagar and Kankroli. The lake is also known by the name of Rajsamudra Lake in Rajasthan. Rajsamand Lake was built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660. Noticing the statistics, the lake stretches to the length of 4 miles and 1.75 miles in width. The lake has the approximate depth of 60 feet.

Udai Sagar Lake
Udai Sagar Lake is one amongst the five lakes of Udaipur। Read more about the Udaisagar Lake of Rajasthan.

Location : 13 kms in the east of Udaipur, On Berach River
Built by : Maharana Udai Singh
Built in : During 1559 - 1565
How to reach : One can easily reach Udai Sagar Lake either by taking Regular buses, auto-rickshaws or by hiring taxis from the city

Udai Sagar Lake is another striking lake that falls under the category of five lakes of Udaipur. Udaisagar Lake is located at a distance of about 13 kms in the east of Udaipur. The construction of this lake was started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh and got completed in 1565. Udai Sagar Lake extends to 4 km in length 2.5 km in width and deep to the extent of 9 meters at the maximum. Actually, Udai Sagar Lake was the result of a dam that took its start in 1559.

Maharana Udai Singh constructed this dam on Berach River, to ensure adequate supply of water in his kingdom. Dam at Udaisagar Lake drains about 479 sq km of the country and covers an area of 10.5 sq kms. It has a storage capacity of 23.4 milli cubic meter. To manage the overflowing lake during rainy season, one channel has been made connecting to Berach River. Today, the water of this lake is used in the zinc smelter close to Debari. The lake usually has plenty of water with the exception of lean years.

In 1573, Maharana Pratap Singh was invited by Kunwar Man Singh on the banks of Udai Sagar Lake to talk about the surrendering terms and conditions to Akbar (Mughal Emperor). The invitation was declined by Pratap Singh and he even insulted Man Singh. This incident led to the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. Later, Maharana Raj Singh conquered the army of Emperor Aurangzeb near the embankment of Udai Sagar Lake. People visit this lake to enjoy the serene waters of this lake.

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