Dudh Talai

A compact lake located very close to Lake Pichola, Dudh Talai (a pond of milk) is a picturesque site surrounded by green hills. Very popular with residents, the lake is surrounded by several tourist destinations including Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Park and the Mayank Lal Verma Garden.

Dudh Talai

Rajsamand Lake

A serene expanse of blue-green, Rajsamand Lake is one of the most spectacular sites in Udaipur. While expansive greens frame the lake, what makes it even more spectacular is the glorious 17th century dam and a marle embankment on the southern end. With marble terraces, arched pavilions and innumerable stone steps that drop down to the lake, the white embankment forms a stunning backdrop to the sparkling waters. Here, one can marvel at the five toranas (weighing scales), where Mewar kings organised tuladan (when kings used to weigh themselves in gold and then distribute the same among residents). There are also nine pavilions or Nauchowki, which were constructed by Maharana Raj Singh. The beautifully carved pavilions feature impressions of gods and nature. The history of Mewar is inscribed in 1,017 stanzas on 27 marble slabs known as ''Raj Prasasti'. It is said these are the longest stone etchings in India. Built in 1660 by Maharana Raj Singh, the lake is approximately 60 feet deep. It receives water from River Gomti and was also used as a seaplane base during World War II.

Rajsamand Lake

Udai Sagar Lake

With small waterfalls and sparkling green water flowing through a narrow ravine leading to the lake, Udai Sagar is a popular tourist destination in Udaipur. Surrounded by hills, the lake is associated with several legends, among which the most popular is the one that talks about how in 1573, Maharana Pratap Singh was invited by Man Singh, a general in Mughal emperor Akbar's army, to the banks of the lake for surrender negotiations. But Maharana Pratap insulted Man Singh and this resulted in the battle of Haldighati. Located 13 km to the east of the city, the lake's construction was started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur. The king built a dam on the Berach river to ensure adequate supply of water to his kingdom. The lake was made in order to channel the excess flow of water from the dam. The work was completed in 1565 and today, the lake is 4 km long, 2.5 km wide and 9 m deep.

Udai Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake

Pear-shaped and encircled by green hills of the Aravalli range, the Fateh Sagar Lake is one of the most serene spots in Udaipur. Located just next to the Moti Magri hill, the lake was built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh. It was named after Maharana Fateh Singh, who extended it later. Fateh Sagar, which is the second largest artificial lake in Udaipur after Jaisamand, is 2.4 km long, 1.6 km wide and 11.5 m deep. It is a well-planned artificial lake with three intake channels and an overflow channel that help regulate water flow during monsoon.

Three small islands add to the beauty of the lake. The largest island of the lake is Nehru Park and comprises a restaurant and a small zoo. The state government has converted the second island into a public park and the third island has a solar observing site, one of the most elaborate in Asia, called the Udaipur Solar Observatory. From the bottom of Moti Magri Hill, you can hire pedal boats or motor boats to enjoy the scenery.

Fateh Sagar Lake

Lake Pichola

Framed by majestic mountains, grand forts and magical palaces, Lake Pichola is a site dreams are made of. Watching the limpid blue sheet being set ablaze by the rising sun, is magical. It's equally mesmeric to just watch the grey-green mountains cast long shadows on the water, as the sun sets, and twinkling stars float on the ripples, mingling with lights from the surrounding restaurants and hotels. Located right at the heart of Udaipur, Pichola is one of the oldest and largest of the city's lakes. Built in 1362 by Pichhu Bajanara during the rule of Maharana Lakha, legends say that the beauty of the lake enticed Maharana Udai Singh to build a city by its banks. It was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II, after the city was constructed, by flooding Picholi village, which gave the lake its name. He also built a stone masonry dam in the Badipol area by the lake. Today, the lake is 4 km long and 3 km wide.

There are four islands on the lake: Jag Niwas, where the Lake Palace is located; Jag Mandir, with the palace of the same name; Mohan Mandir, from where the king would enjoy the annual Gangaur festival celebrations and Arsi Vilas, a tiny island which had a small palace and an ammunition storehouse. Legends say it was built by one of the kings of Udaipur to enjoy the sunset on the lake. It is also has a sanctuary where a large variety of birds like egrets, cormorants, coots, tufted ducks, terns and kingfishers can be spotted. Beautiful arched bridges were built to connect the shores of the lake at several places. While the magnificent City Palace stands along the eastern banks of this lake, on the southern side, stands the Machla Magri (Machhala Magra) or Fish Hill on which is located the ruins of the Eklinggarh Fort.

Lake Pichola

Jaisamand Lake

Surrounded by lush green mountains, white marble temples and ethereal palaces reflected in its sparkling blue waters, the Jaisamand Lake is a spectacular vision. Around 50 km from Udaipur, Jaisamand is the second largest artificial lake in Asia. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1685, the lake covers an area of 36 sq km with a length of 14 km and width of 9 km. The lake has a depth of about 102 feet!

Jaisamand Lake