Lakhota Lake & Palace, Jamnagar - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 4 km from Jamnagar Railway Station, Ranmal Lake is a manmade lake located in the heart of Jamnagar city. Also called as Lakhota Lake, it is one of the largest water bodies in the city and among the prime places to visit in Jamnagar.

The Ranmal Lake was constructed in the mid-19th century by Jam Ranmal II, the king of Nawanagar. The lake was intended to act as a water reservoir in times of need. It is a major place of recreation for the people of Jamnagar who wants to spend some quality time with family and friends amidst nature. It is an ideal place for bird watching, especially during winter season. The Ranmal Lake itself is a scenic breath of fresh air in the hustle of the city.

The lake is home to one of the oldest man-made structures in Jamnagar, the famous Lakhota Palace. The Lakhota Palace is situated on an island in the middle of the Ranmal Lake in the shape of a large bastion. This palace was constructed as a famine relief work in 1839-45 AD by the Maharaja of Nawanagar. An arched stone bridge connects the Lakhota Palace with the town. The entire palace was designed as a fort with the Ranmal Lake serving as a natural moat. The palace contains a circular tower, a pavilion and rooms for the royal guards. The tower and turrets surrounding the structure was also used by soldiers to store their arsenal. This palace now houses a museum which possesses sculptures dating from 9th to 18th century, arms and firearms, medieval age pottery from surrounding villages and so on. The walls of the museum are adorned with frescos depicting scenes of battle fought by Jadeja Rajputs.

The area around Ranmal Lake is extremely popular not only among tourists but locals as well. One can take a walk on the paved path around the Lake or sit on the benches and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake, the palace and the amazing birds. One can enhance the fun by indulging in boating inside the lake. Besides, several food stalls are there to satisfy your hunger and make your taste buds happy. The lake being lit at night makes the whole place more attractive. There is also a musical fountain show at night.

Timings: 5 AM - 10 PM

Palace & Museum: 10.30 AM - 2 PM & 2.30 PM - 5.30 PM

Musical Fountain Show: 8.30 PM - 9 PM, Closed on Wednesday

Entry Fee: Rs.10 per Person for Lake, Rs. 25 per Person for Musical Fountain Show