India is said to be a country of Natural beauty, covered with lakes, hills, and the most scenic and breath-taking views. No doubt cruising, hiking, and traveling across these views is the most amazing and calming thing one can do. Well again, all credit goes to the geography of our country that we can witness so much of these mesmerizing views scattered in different states.
Amongst all these scenic beauties, lakes in India hold utter importance. Sunrises and sunsets are always beautiful, but do you know what’s more beautiful? Watching them over a lake. Lakes tend to make the whole area, the atmosphere around it, and the vibe around it much more scenic than it ever was. It doesn’t matter if it is surrounded by the hills, has a sea nearby, or is fed by an Ocean, lakes are always a fresh and natural source of calmness, introspection, and rejuvenation.
This is what the city of lakes does for us, they are a source of calmness and create peace of mind. So, let’s have a look at some astonishing cities of Lakes in India and what they have to offer.
City of Lakes in India
Here we have made a list of the cities that are called the lake cities of India. All of these are uniquely amazing and worth visiting at least once:
1. Udaipur
Udaipur, also known as the Venice of the east, is a small city in the eastern part of the state of Rajasthan that is located in the western part of the country. Let’s not get started with the history and the events that have happened here because those will take up the whole day and still it won’t be over. Kings of multiple eras have reigned over here for a very long time. This is why the city is filled with immense excitement.
There are numerous historical monuments, museums, and forts to visit in Udaipur but let’s talk about the most unique part of it that takes up everyone’s attention within seconds, the lakes. Several places are surrounded by the mountains here and those mountains are home to these mesmerizing lakes. The renowned Mughal history of the city has left an intangible mark on the lakes, making it something that we can’t just take our eyes off of.
Here’s a list of these astonishing lakes in Udaipur:
Pichola lake
Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake built in the late 14th century. Because of its perfect splendor, the lake is often pictured in Bollywood as well as in Hollywood. The number of tourists the lake gets during the whole year is immeasurable.
Jaisamand lake
The second-largest artificial lake in India is situated less than 50 km away from Udaipur. Jaisamand Lake is locally known as the Dhebar lake. The lake is about 14 km long and came into existence in the late 17th century.
Rajsamand lake
Built in the 1660s by Maharana Raj Singh, also known as Rajsamudra lake. Tourists can enjoy the amazing sunset here while walking by the panoramic historical architecture.
Swaroop Sagar
The lake is located between Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake. Built by Maharana Swaroop Singh in the 19th century is an engineering marvel. The lake continues to resolve the city’s water congestion.
Fateh Sagar Lake
One of the most famous and most visited lakes in the whole Udaipur is Fateh Sagar Lake. No matter what the season is, the lake is a must-see and never disappoints anyone.
Uadisagar Lake
The lake was constructed in the 16th century by Maharana Uday Singh. It is said that to meet the water demands of the village, Maharana commissioned this 4 km long lake to build a dam over it.
Badi lake
Also known as the Jiyan Sagar or Badi ka Talab is an artificial freshwater lake built by Maharana Raj Singh to fill the ongoing famine in the village.
Doodh lake
At the southeast end of the lake Pichola lies the Doodh Lake also known as the Milk pound. The lake once served as the grazing area for the cows that supplied milk to the royal family.
2. Bhopal
Another popular place that is also known as the city of lakes is Bhopal. Bhopal is a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh that is in the exact middle of the country. As most of us know, Bhopal is mostly known for the Bhopal gas tragedy that happened in 1984. But what most of us don’t know is it is also the city of lakes that has the most magnificent lakes.
Earlier Bhopal used to be an integral part of the Bhoj kingdom and is now located in the middle part of the country. The city is surrounded by lakes and greenery from all sides that remind us of the Mughal era.
Let’s learn about the famous lakes in Bhopal:
Upper lake
Upper lake is one of the most prominent lakes of Bhopal. Also called the Bhojtal, the lake is a major source of potable water to the residents. The lake also offers numerous activities like canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and parasailing. One can enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset over the lake.
Lower lake
Another beautiful lake in the city of Bhopal is the Lower lake. The lake is said to have a unique and distinctive charm of its own making it the most relaxing and amazing sightseeing place in Bhopal.
Shahpura Lake
The lake is located in one of the poshest areas in Bhopal. Shahpura lake is an artificial freshwater lake built from 1974 through 1975. The major use of the lake is to drain the sewage water of the colony, irrigation, and aquaculture. The maximum depth of the Shahpura lake recorded is 5.6 m.
Apart from these, the city is filled with some small lakes too, like- Munshi Hussain Khan Talab, Motia lake, Preet Nagar lake, Lendiya lake, Bordi Kalan, Mullah Sarovar, and many more.
3. Shillong
Another well-known city known for its lakes is Shillong. The capital city of the state Meghalaya, which itself means “an Abode of clouds”. Thankfully, the state still hasn’t witnessed the harshness of modernization and is in its natural form. Its capital city Shillong is undoubtedly nature’s paradise. The place is absolutely stunning and offers a pollution-free ambiance.
Well, it would be inappropriate to not mention Shillong is one of the most visited and loved tourist places in the country, and of course, it would be, the city has the most mesmerizing lakes, dams, and the most scenic views. The lakes are undoubtedly the most visited areas in the whole city. Some of them are quite popular in Bollywood too. Due to its true beauty, the Britishers called Shillong “Scotland of East”.
So let’s have a look at the lakes in this Scotland of East:
Umiam Lake
Amongst all the popular tourist spots in Shillong, the Umiam lake is the most visited one. The lake is a vast scenic center attracting tourists from all over the world. It is also known as the ‘Bara Pani’ or the big water and is a big part of the dam that was constructed as the very first hydel power project in this northeast state.
Wards Lake
The very famous Horseshoe-shaped lake is a must-visit even if you are in Shillong for just a day. It is an artificial freshwater lake that is about 100 years old. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city and is located right in the heart of the city.
Thadlaskein Lake
The lake is located in the district of Mukhla, near the highway. The Thaslaskein lakes hold some anthropological importance as well. The crystal clear lake will leave you awestruck. The lake is a well-known picnic spot.
Apart from these lakes, many other beautiful spots add up to the beauty of this amazing place like the giant elephant water which as the name says is as big as an elephant, and many other waterfalls like sweet falls, spread eagle falls, Crinoline falls, and others.
4. Kodaikanal
Internationally loved by travelers, this beautiful hill station is something that you don’t want to miss. Rightly named, the ‘princess of hill stations’. The place is well-known for its serenity and hospitality and is also one of the famous ‘city of lakes’ cities like the other ones.
The place rests on the plateau of the upper Palani hills and was the earliest home of the Paliyar tribe. Kodaikanal is inundated with some beautiful lakes and guarded with meadows and tall eucalyptus.
Let’s have a look at some of the beautiful lakes in Kodaikanal:
Kodai Lake
The beautiful star-shaped lake is located in the town. Kodai lake is a must-visit amongst all the places in Kodaikanal and is situated at a height of 2285 m. It is an artificial lake created by Sir Vere Henry Levinge who was the collector of Madurai back in the year 1863. The lakes spread across an area of 60 acres.
Berijam Lake
The Berijam Lake is another mesmerizing cenote located just outside the town of Kodaikanal. The lake covers a total area of 59 acres. After the construction of a dam with sluice outlets that lake was formed and it was also a part of micro- watershed projects. The peaceful lake supports so pure water that it serves as the main source of potable water for the Periyakulam town.
Mannavanur Lake
Situated in the Mannavanur town, the lake is one of the most serene lakes. Supporting a large number of tourists, the view from the lakes is breathtaking. Mannavanur is an appropriate place for nature lovers and offers a chance to experience farm life while spotting rabbits, sheep, and other animals.
5. Nainital
Covered with hills and mountains on the four sides, Nainital is one of the most visited hill stations in north India. The place is located at the foothills of the Kumaon hills. According to Hindu mythology, the Nainital has a spiritual history with the Naini lake, where the lake is believed to be one of the Shakti Peeths. This is why to worship the Shakti God, the Naini Devi temple has also been built here.
The ‘Tal’ in Nainital is a Hindi word which in English means freshwater bodies that are surrounded by land on all sides. There are many tourist spots in Nainital but what it is known for is its lakes. The whole hill station is filled with many different and beautiful lakes.
Let’s have a look at lakes in Nainital:
Naini Lake
The hill station has derived its name from the Naini lake only which is surrounded by seven mountains on the four sides. The astonishing stagnant lake is in the heart of the city and is one of the most beautiful and most visited lakes in Nainital. You can go boating on Naini lake and spot the breathtaking sunset from there.
Sattal Lake
‘Sattal’ is another Hindi word that in English means the ‘seven lakes’ as it connects the seven lakes with each other. The lake is situated in a forest which is why it is the perfect place for birdwatching in the area. Here, you can spot many different species of birds that are migrating to and from Nainital. No doubt, Sattal lake is a must-visit lake in Nainital.
Bhimtal Lake
About 20 km from Nainital, a village called Bhimtal is located where the Bhimtal lake is. The lakes are surrounded by loads of green trees making them picture-perfect. The Bhimtal lake is quite a famous picnic spot for the locals. The place is not very crowded, which is why you can enjoy a peaceful boat ride here while watching the beautiful sunset.
Khurpatal Lake
Khurpatal lake is one of the most underrated places in north India. The lake is undoubtedly an absolute beauty located in the deodar, pine, and cedar forests. It is also a perfect place for trekking. Trekking above is worth the breathtaking sunset.
Sariyatal Lake
Against the backdrop of the great Himalayas, in the heart of the city, the Saritatal or the Sariyatal Lake is situated. The place is one of the most popular tourist spots in Nainital and is always buzzing with a huge number of tourists. The famous Himalayas botanical garden is also nearby, making the lake even more of an attraction to the tourists.
Sattal Lake Naukuchiatal Lake
Just ahead of Nainital there’s this beautiful lake called Naukuchiatal. The best part about this lake is that it’s quite bigger as compared to the other lakes which means you can go boating for a longer time. Plus the number of tourists here is also not much, making it the perfect place for a peaceful holiday.
Kamaltal Lake
Right opposite of Naukuchiatal, there is another beautiful lake called Kamaltal. As the name says, the lake is home to many lotuses making it even prettier. The fact about this lake is you will have to pre-plan the trip to see the beautiful lotuses bloom. You can also find many colorful fishes in the lake.
6. Srinagar
This summer capital of the state Jammu and Kashmir is especially known for its mystical beauty all over the world. Well, Srinagar is not only called the city of lakes but also as Venice of the east. The city is oversaturated with beautiful water bodies. It has a humid subtropical climate with snowfall that covers the entire city in white and silver making it even more beautiful.
Apart from the stunning mountains and the prettiest valleys, there’s something more that attracts the tourists to Kashmir, which is its scenic lakes. No doubt the lakes in Srinagar are not the lakes that you can find anywhere, they are the essence of peace, calmness, and composure. Many prominent lakes deserve a separate introduction, so let’s have a look at them:
Dal Lake
Dal lake is one of the most famous lakes in not just Srinagar but in the entire Kashmir. The lake is 6.4 km long and about 4 km wide. To gratify the tourists, they can take a beautiful boat ride in the traditional Kashmiri houseboat, called shikara, where they can also witness the amazingly articulated handicraft within the lake.
Wular Lake
The Wular lake is the largest freshwater lake not just in Kashmir valley but in the entire nation. The lake is fed by the river Jhelum. The lake is surrounded by mountains and dense forests of alpine and coniferous vegetation gives the most amazing and scenic view. The lake receives a huge number of tourists from all over the world and is the perfect picnic spot for the locals as well.
Manasbal Lake
The Manasbal Lake in the Kashmir valley is also supported by the serene Jhelum valley. The lake is one of the major attractions for tourists near Srinagar. As said by the locals, the lake is very ancient as it is named after the very famous Mansarovar lake in Kailash mountain, but still, the origin of the lake is not quite clear yet.
Nigeen Lake
Located at the foothills of the Zabarwan ranges, the lake is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city of Srinagar. The lake is surrounded by the Hari Parbat on the west and the Shankaracharya hill in the east, making it a delight to the tourists. One can go boating in the traditional houseboats named shikaras here.
7. Thane
The last but of course not the least on the list we have is Thane, also known as Thana. Thane is a much-crowded metropolitan city, just right by the side of the very famous one, Mumbai. But the weather is quite relaxed than that of Mumbai, the city is also mentioned in Greek Geographer Ptolemy’s writings. Even if it is a metropolitan city, it still comes under the list of ‘city of lakes’. The crowded areas and the weather conditions just cannot pacify the beauty and serenity of the lakes in Thane.
Well, not just a few lakes, Thane is home to about 35 beautiful lakes that loiters all over the city.
These beautiful lakes not only hold the scenic view of the city but also some historical importance. The lives of locals revolve around these lakes of Thane. All the lakes hold a great charm and increase the tenderness of this beautiful city. All of them attract a large number of Tourists from around the nation every year.
Let’s know more about the lakes in Thane:
Masunda Lake
Masunda Lake is said to be the pride of Thane city. The glory of this lake is prominent in the day as well as in the night. There are numerous attractions at Masunda lake like boating, bhelpuri, tonga rides, and many more that make it even more amazing.
Hariyali Lake
Located in the eastern part of the city called Chendani Koliwada. The lake is originally called Chendani talao but was renamed recently as the hariyali lake. The lake spreads over an area of 0.79 hectares and is the oldest lake in Thane.
Kachrali Lake
Kachrali lakes are one of the few water bodies that are restored and now serve as one of the sights of the most visited and famous lake in the area. It supports one of the most soothing and peaceful sights, especially in the evenings, at the time of sunset. The lake has become a prominent spot for senior citizens and youngsters.
Makhmali Lake
As the name says, the makhmali lake also called makhmali talao supports a soothing and calm vibe. Plus the marriage hall in the background, when much illuminated , gives it a perfect blend of tenderness and excitement.
Upavan Lake
The Upavan lake is quite popular among couples. The serenity and the low crowdedness attract many tourists from far. The lake is also home to many crocodiles, making it even more fun and exciting for the visitors.
Jail Lake
Originally known as the castle tank but due to being adjacent to jail and central maidan, the lake is now called Jail lake. The authorities did so much to save this lake, built a fence across it, and made a proper sitting area to spend some time across this beautiful lake.
Ambe-Ghosale Lake
The lake is located right in the center of the city and has got its name from the twin sisters. Although one of the lakes is now extinct, the other one still exists.
There are many other small lakes too, like- Kahregaon Lake, Revale Lake, Siddeshwar Lake, and Kolbad Lake.
These were all the ‘city of lakes’ of India. All of these are no less than a fairytale. A week off from your busy schedule and a vacation to one of these beautiful destinations is much needed by everyone, so get into it and enjoy every bit of it.
