2 Best Lakes & Backwaters in Rajasthan

At a distance of 52 km from Jodhpur, Sardar Samand Lake is an artificial lake situated on Jodhpur - Pali road in Rajasthan. It is one of the major picnic places to visit as part of Jodhpur trip.

This artificial lake as well as the route to the lake is a virtual treat to nature lovers and photographers. The lake attracts several migratory and local birds such as the yellow-legged green pigeon, Himalayan griffon, and Dalmatian pelican, making it a bird watcher's paradise. On the way to the lake, there is a wildlife area, where one can spot animals like Blackbuck, Neelgai, and Chinkara.

The summer palace of Maharaja Umaid Singh, Sardar Samand Palace stands on a hill overlooking the Sardar Samand Lake, among the best places to visit near Jodhpur. The palace is a magnificent Art Deco hunting lodge that was built in 1933. It remains the Royal Family's favorite retreat and houses a vast collection of African trophies and original watercolors by Snaffles. The walls of the palace were elaborately carved with vibrantly colored miniature paintings, vividly executed murals, and customary motifs. It has now been converted into a luxury hotel, Sardar Samand Lake Resort, managed by the Welcome Heritage Group of Hotels. The Bishnoi villages, a picturesque settlement of the Bishnoi tribal community is also on the way to Sardar Samand Lake.

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At a distance of 94 km from Jaipur, Sambhar Lake is a salt water lake located in Sambhar Lake Town in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan. It is the largest inland salt lake in India, and among the popular places to visit near Jaipur.

Shimmering in the arid terrain of Rajasthan, the Sambhar Salt Lake serves as a striking example of nature's craftsmanship. This extensive body of water stretches roughly 35.5 kilometers in length and varies in width between 3 and 11 kilometers. The lake is nourished by six rivers: Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari, Khandela, Medtha, and Samod. With a circumference of 96 kilometers, it is encircled by the Aravalli hills on all sides.

Historically, the town of Sambhar was established by Raja Vasudev of the Chauhan dynasty in 551 AD. Throughout the years, it came under the rule of the Sindhias, Marathas, and Mughals, before being reclaimed by the Rajputs in 1709. The rulers of Jaipur and Jodhpur jointly held ownership of the lake, which was leased to the British in 1870. The name 'Sambhar' is derived from the ancient temple of Shakambhari Mata, the patron deity of the Chauhan Rajputs, which is located under a rocky outcrop extending into the lake in the village of Sirthula. This temple is recognized as one of the 3 Shakti Peeths associated with Mother Shakambhari.

The Sambhar lake basin is partitioned by a 5.1-kilometer-long dam constructed from sandstone. Once the saltwater reaches ...

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