When the renowned English author Rudyard Kipling saw Lake Pichola in Udaipur, he wrote in his book, Letters of Marque (1899), "If the Venetian owned the Pichola Lake, he might say with justice, ‘See it and die’." The lake so enticed a maharaja (king) that he established a whole city around it. Lake Pichola is only one of the wondrous lakes that the country boasts. From the backwaters of Kerala to the glorious pools of Srinagar, and not to forget the clear and surreal lakes of Leh, the hydro treasures of India are uncountable, and each one merits a place of its own on the map. 

India is home to both man-made and natural lakes. The desert state of Rajasthan is particularly renowned for both. Jaisamand lake, located in Udaipur, is the second-largest artificial lake in Asia. Furthermore, Kaylana lake in Jodhpur is another beautiful spot, enclosed by a garden. Its clear waters, reflecting the blue sky, make it an ideal and serene destination for boating.

The northeastern part of India is endowed with natural beauty that can take one's breath away. The oval-shaped Palak Dil lake in Mizoram is a gem in the tiara of the Seven Sisters. Home to several wetland avian species, it is believed to be a stopover for the migrating pintail duck during the winter months. One of the largest seasonal wetland in the Northeast and the second-largest in Asia, Son Beel in Assam, becomes a lake during monsoons when the land fills with water.

The mesmerising Loktak Lake in Manipur lies close to the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating sanctuary in the world. With its floating vegetation and pristine surroundings, the lake is a surreal sight.

The hill stations of India also nestle many serene lakes, with the Sat Tal in Nainital being a major attraction. A cluster of seven lakes, it provides a great opportunity for wildlife spotting. The lakes here also have islands that house significant temples. 

Exuding a romantic aura, with a cinematic backdrop of the Pir Panjal mountains, the Dal lake in Srinagar is a traveller's paradise. The Nagin lake, an offshoot of the Dal lake, is also worth a visit.

Moreover, in the central part of India, the city of Bhopal boasts two man-made wonders called the Bada Talab and the Chota Talab, which together comprise the Bhoj Wetland. While the lakes have picturesque settings, visitors are also drawn to them for the various water sports that happen here like kayaking, canoeing, rafting etc.

One of the largest lakes in the country is the Hussain Sagar Lake, situated at the confluence of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Begumpet. It is an artificial lake that has perennial supplies of water. Shaped like a necklace, the lake has been built on a tributary of River Musi. Though it lies in the heart of the city, it is bordered by many parks and thus presents a peaceful and serene setting amongst the bustle of the city.