If you are from the Pink City, you already know that your best options are Nahargarh Fort, Amber Fort, and Hawa Mahal as far as the city’s tourist attractions are concerned, but these places probably don’t fit in with your mood at the moment as they are always crowded, right? Well, you don’t need to be disappointed because though Jaipur is globally known for heritage and royalty, there is more to the city than what meets the eyes. If you are looking for a perfect place to spend some time alone, you should straightaway head to any of these six beautiful lakes and ponds in and around Jaipur:
1. Chandlai Lake
Chandlai Lake is a heaven for nature lovers and photographers who love to capture birds and wildlife. Beautiful surroundings, great greenery mesmerizing and huge water body, helpful locals, chirping birds. Everything is great around the lake.
It is an Inland water body which is said to be 140 years old. Just 2kms before the Chandlai Toll Plaza there is this serene water body that is not even popular among the locals. The beautiful place is regarded as the best for sightseeing in Jaipur. If you love the romantic serenity, tranquility, privacy amidst a gentle breeze, this is the place to be. A moderate footfall of tourists can be seen here.
The Hidden lake of City is believed to be a host of approx. 10,000 different species of migratory birds including the ones like Pied Avocet, Pallas’s Gul, Ruddy Shelduck and the White Wagtail. A special type of algae grows exuberantly on the Chandlai soil, which serves as an amazing appetite for the birds.
2. Sambhar Lake
Located 65 km away from the city, Sambhar is the largest saltwater lake in India. It is one of the beautiful and unexplored tourist places in the region. and is trending among 5 lesser-known travel places of Jaipur. Shaped like an ellipse, the lake has a town of Sambhar on one side and surrounded by scenic Aravalli Hills from all sides that protects it like a prodigious guard. The famous temple of Shakamhari Devi is also at the shores of this lake only. The lake is a major producer of salt in India and accounts for 9% of the salt production of the nation.
Being the largest Saline lake in India, it is also a home to flamingos and other beautiful species from North Asia flocking together at this place. Nilgai can be observed venturing out freely in the adjoining forest area.
Lake is now recognized as a Ramsar Site, which means it is a recognized wetland, deemed of national significance. The place has an amazing cinematic beauty that is now being tapped by various Bollywood directors and the beautiful visuals can be seen and recognized in movies like Gulaal and much appreciated PK.
Be a part of our Jaipur Heritage Tour and admire the beauty yourself.
3. Ramgarh Lake
Jaipur is blessed with an artificial lake in Ramgarh. Among the quaint scenery of Ramgarh, the lake attracts tourists from all over the world which is at a stone’s throw distance of twenty-five kilometers from Jaipur. This place is now a popular hangout destination for not only youth but families.
Since you are here, you can also visit the famous Jamwai Mata Temple and the remnants of the historic fort are some of the added fascinations of the place with a well-equipped library and a museum that provides insight into the rich cultural heritage of the ancient times. And, you never know coming out of the temple you may also spot a couple of crocodiles in the muddy water.
You may also learn more about the places of the Royal city in our Heritage Tour.
4. Man Sagar Lake
Lake Man Sagar is an artificial lake to the north of Jaipur in which the stunning Jal Mahal Palace stands. The best part is that there are many tourist attractions nearby including Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Kanak Vrindavan, Amber Fort, and Nahargarh Biological Park. So you can plan an entire day for sightseeing if you want to.
This lake is also a photography hot spot as people are usually mesmerized when they see a palace (Jal Mahal) sitting in the middle of the lake. Popular with both Jaipur’s residents and visitors as the cooling waters and wildlife are a refreshing break from the pollution and dust of the city.
5. Maota Lake
The ancient name of this Sarovar is “Mahavata” but in common language is said to be Maota. Nearby that lake there were large wat trees. Because of this, it is called “Martha”, located on the south side of the city of Amer, close to Amber fort.
There is a garden in the center of Maota Lake namely Kesar Kyari Bagh with star-shaped flowerbeds and saffron flowers. The lake provides a placid setting from which to look up at Amer Fort on the hillside reflected on the water’s surface. A perfect gateway for this pleasing monsoon season.
6. Sagar Lake
Sagar Lake is situated near the Anokhi Museum. There are lots of great places nearby to keep you occupied during your trip to this lake. Skidded away beyond Kheri Gate & the Anokhi Museum, the lake can be reached by car and then one can walk around its borderline, which is divided into two parts that are the Upper Sagar and the Lower Sagar. If you are visiting Amer or the Anokhi Museum in the evening, do stop by.
The sunset turns the mud-plastered walls of Amer into a golden warren waiting to be explored.
So that is how, home to some magnificent and important lakes, the Royal City of Rajasthan is also called the Lake City. Some of them are regarded as the lesser-known facts for various travelers who probably take a guided tour of the city.