Udaipur Travel Guide

Lake Pichola

Udaipur is known as the ' City of Lakes'. The two most scenic and famous lakes of the city are Lake Pichola and Lake Fateh Sagar. Lake Pichola is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and has two island palaces- Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. Lake Fateh sagar lies to north of Pichola and was built by Maharana Jai Singh but it got the name of Fateh Singh who rebuilt its dam. Both the lakes are breathtakingly beautiful and one can take a cruise on their waters. The sunset over these lakes is a sight to be cherished.

Pichola Lake derives its name from Pichola Village was submerged and Maharana Udai Singh enlarged the lake after he founded the city. He built a masonry dam known as Badipol and lake is now 4 km long and 3 km wide. This picturesque lake encloses the Jag Niwas Island and the Jag Mandir. And, the City Palace extends along its eastern banks. The beautiful expanse of water that surrounds the islands of the Lake Palace Hotel (JAG NIWAS) and JAG MANDIR. The backdrop of the overlooking City Palace gives this lake its name-Pichola.Apart from this there is also an another version about it's name.It says that the name comes from the nearby small village of Picholi and was originally created early in the 15th century by a local Banjara tribesman who transported grain. Legend has it that, finding his bullocks could not ford the stream at the southern end, he built a dam across it, over which the animals could cross .
In 1560, a year after Maharana UDAI SINGH II began building his new capital of Udaipur around the shore, he strengthened the dam and greatly enlarged the lake. Apart from the two large islands, there are several smaller ones, among them are ARSI VILAS, which is a haven for birds, and a platform, NATNI-KA-CHABUTRA, which has its own legend . At the northern end of the lake is the old town with its ghats and ceremonial ghat where the Gangaur Festival is celebrated with fireworks and illuminations. The height of the dam is 15.24 m. in the Badi Pol area.
Along its eastern shore sprawls the massive CITY PALACE. South of this is the hill known as MACHHALA MAGRA where part of the old city wall and the small fort of Eklinggarh can still be seen. Beyond this is the SHIKARBADI HOTEL, once the Khasi Odi, or hunting lodge, of the Maharanas. When full, Pichola Lake covers an area of almost 1.5 sq. km.

Fateh Sagar Lake

The pride of the City of Lakes, this lake was constructed towards the north of Lake Pichola.Lake and was built by Maharana Jai Singh but it got the name of Fateh Singh who rebuilt its dam. Fateh Sagar, the second of Udaipur's four man-made lakes. This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodland was constructed by Maharana jai Singh to the north of Lake Pichola. It is an artificial lake dug up in 1678, reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh A canal links the two, via Swaroop Sagar and Rang Sagar Lakes. The beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory rises from the lake. The lake is bordered on three sides by hills and on the fourth side it is dammed. The name derives from Fateh Singh, who built the dam. Visitors can take a short trip to exquisite Nehru Island Park, which is the focal point in the lake.

Lake Fateh Sagar is a medium-sized perennial storage reservoir constructed in the year 1678 A. D. by the rulers of former Mewar State. Although primarily constructed for irrigational purpose, this water body has lately formed a second major source of drinking water for the city of Udaipur. The main feeder canal of the lake comes from Madar tank situated at a higher altitude about 15 km from Udaipur City. Lake Fateh Sagar is also connected to the adjoining Lake Pichhola through a canal having gates. This (former) lake has somewhat pear-like shape and is surrounded by hills except on its eastern side where a straight masonry dam of about 800 m length is located. The lake lies on the northwest of main Udaipur city.

The runoff emerging from surrounding hillocks drains into this lake. Along the eastern shore line runs a beautiful serpentine road which has a stone wall on the lake periphery. This lake has got three prominent islands. The largest is developed into a public park. The second island is situated on the northern side and has an installation of solar observatory. The smallest island on the western side near shore supports a jet fountain. The western bank of lake is occupied by marginal agricultural field. The vegetation cover around the lake is scanty. However, several species of plants are found along the undulating roads and hillocks around this lake.

Leaching of nutrients from the catchment area and agricultural activities in the marginal areas of the lake has influenced the nutrient level of this water body. Similarly, incoming silt has also reduced the water holding capacity of this lake.
In 1678, Maharana JAI SINGH (1680-1698), who had already constructed the famous JAISAMAND LAKE southeast of Udaipur, excavated this new but small lake. It lies immediately to the north of, and connected by a canal to PICHOLA LAKE, which had been established by Maharana UDAI SINGH II a century earlier.
Fateh Sagar is 2.4 km. long, 1.6 km. wide and 11.5 m. at its deepest point; when full, it covers an area of about 1 sq. km., being fed by the Ahar (Berach) river. It is possible to drive around the complete circumference of the lake via Moti Magri Road, Fateh Sagar Drive, and Rani Road, a serpentine route that provides beautiful views of the lake as well as the encircling Aravalli Hills. The main causeways to the lake are from Pichola Lake, Madar Lake, and Badi Lake. It has three intake channels and an overflow channel for the rainy season.
Two centuries after its construction, a severe storm and heavy rainfall collapsed the old eastern embankment causing loss of life and considerable damage, especially to the nearby, lower-level SAHELION-KI-BARI gardens. In 1889, to prevent further such flooding, Maharana FATEH SINGH reconstructed the embankment at a cost of Rs. 6 lakhs (600,000 rupees). Later that same year, the Duke of Connaught, third son of Queen Victoria laid the new embankment's foundation stone, and the lake was renamed Fateh Sagar. This reconstructed northeastern embankment has three names, the Pal, the Drive, or Connaught Bund (embankment or breakwater). Along it is the entrance to MOTI MAGRI hill, on the summit of which is a landscaped park with the Maharana PRATAP MEMORIAL. Three small islands grace Fateh Sagar, the largest being NEHRU PARK, a popular garden island with a restaurant and zoo, which is reached by inboard motor boats from the bottom of Moti Magri Hill. The Government of Rajasthan made the second island into a public park with a spectacular water-jet fountain, and the third houses the UDAIPUR SOLAR OBSERVATORY, the largest in Asia. A peaceful spot not far from the city centre, the lake is a popular leisure area for picnics and water recreation in hired pedal boats. Because of Fateh Sagar's blue waters and its backdrop of green hills, it is often referred to as the second Kashmir, an epithet often given to all of Udaipur.

Lakes are focal point for social and economic activities of Udaipur people. Every year thousands of tourists from India and abroad come to this 'City of Lakes'. Yet this water body is facing acute shortage of water sometimes due to scanty rains. For checking loss of water through evaporation, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has been using cetyl alcohol (hexadecanol) during drought period. In the year 1972 the lake exhibited heavy bloom of blue green algae Microcystis. In 1978, local citizen groups and environmental conservation organizations undertook desilting operation through human labour wherein about 10 thousand truck loads of silt were removed from the shallow basin of this lake. A beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the north was built by Maharana Fateh Singh. In the middle of the lake is Nehru Park - a lovely garden island with a boat shaped cafe accessible by an enjoyable boat ride.

Jaisamand Lake

Jaisamand Lake is also known as Dhebar.The lake, built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1685, is the second biggest artificial lake of the world covering an area of 36sq km. The lake remained the largest artificial lake in the world till the building of the Aswan dam in Egypt.
During the reign of Maharana JAI SINGH (1680-1698), there was a great need for water for cultivation in Mewar's southeastern corner. The Maharana emulated his father (Maharana RAJ SINGH I who built RAJSAMAND LAKE) by damming a small river, the Gomati, and building a massive embankment; the height of the dam is 36.6 m. Jai Singh named the resultant lake JAISAMAND after himself - its often-used nickname is 'Ocean of Victory' ('mand' meaning 'ocean').On the day of its inauguration, June 2 1691, Maharana Jai Singh walked around the dam charitably distributing gold equal to his own weight.
The statistics of the lake is really amazing – 9 miles in breadth, 102 feet deep at its deepest end, a circumference of 30 miles with marble staircases leading into the water. The summer palaces of the Queens of Udaipur surround Jaisamand Lake on all sides.

There are seven islands on this lake and the tribe of Bhil Minas (see People of Rajasthan) inhabits all. Two bigger islands are known as Baba ka Magra and a smaller is called Piari. There is a bund on the lake, which has to be mentioned due to its sheer size – 1202 feet long, 116 feet high and 70 feet broad at the base. On the dam are six exotic cenotaphs and a Shiva temple in the centre. The northern end of the lake has a palace with a courtyard while its southern end has a pavilion of 12 pillars. The hills to its south have grand palaces that have an excellent view of the lake.

Maharana Jai Sigh had built this picturesque artificial lake. It the second largest lake in Asia. The lake has elegant step leading to the water and marble Chhatri (cenotaphs) on its bank and a small Shiv temple marks the grace of the lake. On either side are the palaces built for the king favourite queens. The local tribe for Bhils still inhabit the island. Measuring 14 Kms. in length by 8 Kms. At its widest point, this is one of the largest man made lakes in Asia. Maharaja Jai Singh created it in the 17th century utilizing the waters of Gomti River . Encircled by hills and with a number of summer palaces along the shore, the lake is a natural and peaceful haven. There are eleven islands on the lake , some of which provide sanctuary inhabited by several species of migratory birds. The nearby wildlife sanctuary is also worth a visit. There is a number of resort hotels catering for those who would appreciate a break from the noise and turnoil of the city.A stunningly situated artificial lake, built in the 17th century A.D. by Maharana Jai Singh is the second largest in Asia. Maharana Jai Singh at the time of foundation celebrated the occasion by giving away gold in charity after a Tuladaan ceremony. In the lake there are three islands whose inhabitants use Bhels (boats) to reach the shore. On the top of two nearby hillocks are two old palaces constructed by Maharana Jai Singh. A very fine view of the lake is available from these palaces. Graceful marble chhatris flank the embankment and beautiful summer palaces of the Udaipur queens. Jaisamand Island Resort is also worth visiting. A trip to Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary allows a close encounter with the rich wildlife in their natural habitat. The fauna includes panther, wild boar, deer, four-horned antelope, mongoose and various species of migratory birds.

Rajsamand Lake

On the way to Kumbhalgarh lies their royal lake with a magnificent dam created in the 17th century offers a spectacular views of the sunset adorned by beautiful Torans [arches] and Chhatris And number of attractive pavilions. Stunning sculpture and Sanskrit verses are vividly inscribed in store a small counterpart of Nathdwara.

UDAI SAGAR LAKE

A picturesque lake about the same size as Rajsamand Lake, 15 km. east of Udaipur on the Berach river. Maharana UDAI SINGH II (1537-1572), expecting the threat of war, ordered and laid the foundation stone of the massive dam in February, 1559, mainly to give the city a secure water supply and, later, for agricultural and leisure purposes. The lake was completed by 1565. Its greatest depth is 9 m.; it is 4 km. long, and 2.5 km. wide, and covers an area of 10.5 sq. km. It has a storage capacity of 23.4 mil. cu. m. The 54-m. embankment was built with stones from the bund of other lakes.
Although it has withstood heavy rains, if the lake does overflow, the water will be channeled into the Berach River. In 1573, Kunwar MAN SINGH invited Maharana PRATAP SINGH I to meet him on this embankment to discuss terms of surrendering to Mughal Emperor AKBAR; Pratap refused the invitation and insulted the Rajput traitor, which led to the Battle of HALDIGHATI (June, 1576). And it was near Udai Sagar that Maharana Raj Singh (1653-1680) defeated the army of Emperor AURANGZEB.

Water from the lake is used in the zinc smelter at nearby Debari. Except in lean years, the lake maintains a sufficient water level.

BADI KA TALAB (JIYAN SAGAR)

A lake in the village of BADI built at a cost of Rs. 688,000 (Lakh 6,88,000) by Maharana RAJ SINGH I (1652-1680) to counteract the devastating effects of a famine. He named it Jiyan Sagar after his mother Jana Devi. The lake covers an area of 155 sq. km., and has an embankment 180 m. long and 18 m. wide, which is graced by three artistic chhatris (kiosks or pavilions).

During the drought of 1973, the lake supplied water to the people of Udaipur. (At the time of writing, JAISAMAND LAKE supplies Udaipur's water.)

SWAROOP SAGAR (KUMHARIA TALAB)

Udaipur a small man-made lake behind the Jagdish Temple and near Chand Pol adjacent to Rangsagar. It connects Pichola Lake and Fateh Sagar; built by Maharana SWAROOP SINGH (1842-1861) for the benefit of his people.