Rajsamand Lake, Rajasthan | Images, Boating, History

Rajsamand Lake, Rajsamand Overview

Also popularly known as the Rajsamudra Lake, the Rajsamand Lake is a famous tourist attraction that is located 66 kilometers to the north of Udaipur, near the town of Rajsamand, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The lake was constructed in the 17th century by Maharana Raj Singh and was built across the Gomati, Kelwa and Tali Rivers, with a total catchment area of around 196 square miles. The serene lake looks the most striking and stunning at the time of the sunset when the soft light of the setting sun casts an almost magic like glitter upon the pristine waters of the lake.

The lake is one of the five famous lakes in Mewar and lies nestled between the cities of Rajnagar and Kanroli. The major water source of the lake is the River Gomti. Towards the south of the lake, one can find a vast embankment that is composed entirely of white marble. This embankment is complete with marble terraces and beautiful stone steps that are in contact with the water of the lake. The five weighing arches or 'toranas' are where Maharaja Raj Singh and his descendants organized the annual event of Tuladan, wherein the kings weighed themselves in gold, and then distributed this gold amongst the Brahmins. This tradition of Tuladan was followed by the descendants of the Maharaja even after his death.

Despite the fact that the Rajsamand Lake has a vast area of cross-section, it tends to dry up during periods of severe drought. Nevertheless, the cool breeze blowing around the lake, the sight of the sparkling white marble and the pure water next to it, all make up for a picture perfect spot that is breathtakingly beautiful, and a must visit at least once in a lifetime.

History of Rajsamand Lake

The Rajsamand Lake was constructed as a result of the construction of the dams across three different rivers, namely, Gomti, Kelwa and Tali. All of these dams were built between the period of 1662 and 1676 AD, under the reign of Maharana Raj Singh I. Because of a severe drought that shook the entire area in 1661, the Maharaja decided to construct the dam and the lake with the dual objective of efficiently managing such events in the future, as well as providing employment to the local people who had been significantly affected by the drought and its after-effects. This construction is the oldest known relief work in Rajasthan and is known to have cost around INR 4 million.

The arches and ornamental pavilions that can be found at the Rajsamand Lake were commissioned by Princess Charumati as a mark of gratefulness and gratitude towards the ruler, Maharana Raj Singh for the thoughtful construction. These additions further glorify and enhance the beauty of the embankment. In fact, it was only after the development of these pavilions that the tradition of Tuladan began. This tradition was then also carried on by the successors of Maharana Raj Singh I. For over six years, the Rajsamand Lake has also served as the seaplane base of the Imperial Airways at the time of the Second World War.

Structure of Rajsamand Lake

The 4 miles long and 1.7 miles wide Rajsamand Lake is about 60 feet deep and is a pure marvel to look at. The embankment which can be found towards the southern end of the lake is constructed of white marble and is commonly known as the Nauchowki, which means nine pavilions. The stone steps of the Nauchowki, as well as the marble terraces, are equally striking and touch the water of the lake.

One can also find five toranas, or weighing arches, as well as some chhatris at the embankment. The Nauchowki is intricately carved and decorated with pictures of Gods, the Sun, birds, chariots and other fine carvings. The stone steps that lead to the waters of the lake are known as Ghats, and the history of Mewar has been inscribed on these 21 marble stones. This inscription is the longest engraving in the entire country and consists of a total of 107 stanzas that describe the glorious past of Mewar. This carving is referred to as the Raj Prasanti and dates back to the years 1675 and 1676.

Best Time To Visit Rajsamand Lake

A visit to the gorgeous Rajsamand Lake is best enjoyed in October, November and December, or February. During these months, the weather is pleasant and cool, and you do not have to brave the sultry and scorching heat that is characteristic of Rajasthan.

Tips For Visiting Rajsamand Lake

1. Since a visit to the Rajsamand Lake is only a short excursion of about 2-3 hours, it is best to visit the lake in combination with nearby tourist spots such as the Hanuman Mandir, Dwarkadhish Temple, Shree Chhapariya Bheru Mandir, Rameshwar Mahadev Mandir, Neelkanth Mahadev Ji Temple and Kalka Mata ka Mandir.
2. Avoid visiting the lake during the monsoon as it tends to get dirty.
3. There is no general store or restaurant nearby to buy tea or snacks, so make sure that you carry some light refreshments along if you intend to stay there for a bit longer.

How To Reach Rajsamand Lake

The Rajsamand Lake is located between Rajnagar and Kankroli, 66 kilometres away from the famous city of Udaipur, towards New Delhi. You can reach the lake without any difficulty by hiring taxis or buses that regularly run from Udaipur to your final destination.