It is a gross understatement to say that lakes are beautiful. And if you have seen the lakes in India, you will understand the sentiment. This underrated nature’s wonder often has deeper cultural and functional significance beyond its visual aspect. Over time, some of these lakes have gained spiritual significance, and why wouldn’t they? These serene, magnificent bodies of water around which life seems to achieve a vibrant hue, are bound to make your hearts sing!
Our country, India, known for the centuries of civilisational leaps it took, has many of them. These Lakes in India are important tourist attractions, water sources and, most importantly, an inextricable identity of that place.
Lakes in India that may enthral you are-
1. Bhimtal Lake
Bhimtal Lake is one of the largest lakes in Uttarakhand, in the city of Lakes, Nainital. This beautiful lake is surrounded by lofty hills on all its sides making it the most picture-perfect landscape you have ever seen. There is a small island in the middle of the lake with an aquarium, making it one of the most popular lakes in India. Furthermore, boating activities are provided to help you enjoy the scenery. So float on the boat and let the calm waters of this splendid lake tell you its age-old stories.
How to get there: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station connected to Delhi. From here, you can take taxis or buses to get to Bhimtal
2. Wular Lake
The enormous lake in the Bandipora district of Jammu Kashmir is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India and South Asia. It is fed by the River Jhelum and forms an essential lifeline for the community around the lake. Visitors are drawn to this lake to enjoy some quiet moments amidst the sheer magnificence of the view before them.
How to get there: Srinagar, which is 40 km away from Bandipora, is the closest airport. While Jammu Tawi has the nearest railway station connected to many metro cities like Kolkata and Delhi.
3. Loktak Lake
The Loktak Lake may be one of the most unique lakes in India that you will ever see. This is a lake in Manipur designated as Asia’s largest freshwater lake. A multitude of things make this lake a unique spectacle; one is the Phumdis, which are clumps of vegetation, soil and organic matter floating atop the lake. Another is the Keibul Lamjao National Park on top of one of these Phumdis, making this national park the only floating park in the entire world! Preserved here are the endangered Sangai which is a Manipur brow-antlered deer.
How to get there: Plenty of shared taxis are available from Imphal, the state’s capital, to Moirang, which is 30 km away. From Moirang you need to take another shared taxi to Thanga which is one of the villages on the lake.
4. Barapani Lake
Barapani Lake, known as the Umiam Lake, is located in the delightful state of Meghalaya. This is a man-made reservoir; hence it is an artificial lake. The word, however, does not do justice to the splendour of the scenery that presents itself to you. The lake is calm and serene while being hemmed in by deep green luscious forests and glorious hillsides. Clearly, this is one of the most picturesque Lakes in India which is also a popular fishing, camping, and boating site for locals and tourists alike.
How to get there: The lake is just 15 km away from the main town of Shillong. Many take the train to Guwahati and a bus from there to Shillong.
5. Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake in Odisha is one of the most popular Lakes in India for a variety of reasons. It’s the bird watchers’ favourite haunt because of the variety of migratory birds that flock to the lake. The lake is also abundant in fish species, and one of the reasons for this lake in India being a crowd-puller is the possibility of sighting the endangered and elusive Irrawaddy Dolphins. These dolphins and other avifaunal species have made Chilika Lake their home, making this largest brackish water lake, a complete ecosystem in itself.
How to get there: The lake is spread across the Khurda, Puri, and Ganjam districts of Odisha, and the lake itself has several entry points like Barkul, Rambha, Balugaon, and Satapada. These are the nearest towns to Chilika. Balugaon is the nearest railway station, and Bhubaneshwar is the nearest airport. From here, you can take a bus or taxi to one of the entry points to reach Chilika Lake.
6. Pulicat Lake
The unique Pulicat Lake straddles two states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and is the second-largest brackish water lake in India. This magnificent lake in India has an equally grand history that spans centuries and several dynasties. The earliest mention was found in a written account of an anonymous mariner dated to around the 1st century. Since then, there have been a variety of accounts mentioning the lake as being a part of a vibrant trading culture. This lake in India could be the single one of those that saw history as recent as the Dutch attempts at colonising India. Several buildings exist from that time as proof and form an important cultural landscape of this extraordinary lake. At the present moment, this lake in India is home to several important species of avifauna and witnesses a rush of wildlife activity, making it an important tourist attraction. It is also close to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, and if you are here around the month of January, make sure not to miss the Flamingo Festival.
How to get there: Chennai is 54 km away from the lake and can be reached within 2 hours by car. The closest railway station is Sullurpet Railway Station which is just 10 km away from Pulicat.
7. Gobind Ballabh Pant Sagar
The Gobind Ballabh Pant Sagar Lake is one of the largest man-made lakes in India by volume. The dam is built across the Rihand River and is located in Uttar Pradesh. The remarkable aspect of this lake is the fact that it is a result of the dam, which was built keeping in mind the surrounding wild habitats. Therefore, the lake still has its forest intact making this spot a very beautiful place for general sightseeing.
How to get there: Varanasi is the closest airport. From here, you get plenty of buses and other transport options to this district of Sonebhadra, where the lake is. Furthermore, Sonebhadhra is well-connected by railways to the other districts of Uttar Pradesh.
8. Dhebar
Dhebar Lake is in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan, India. This is one of the most interesting lakes in India due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is the largest artificial lake in India which is also the first and the oldest lake in the world. A lake with a fascinating back story, Dhebar Lake was a result of the enterprising Raja of Udaipur Rana Jai Singh. He built a marble dam across the Gomati River in order to provide water that was needed for cultivation. This humongous lake has in it three islands inhabited by the Bhil Mina tribe of Rajasthan. However, the most appealing feature of the lake is its captivating scenery which drives many tourists to enjoy the scenic sights.
How to get there: Udaipur is well-connected to other cities like Jaipur, with airports and railway stations. The Lake is around 21 and 57 km far from Udaipur, respectively, making it easily accessible.
9. Gurudongmar Lake
The Gurudongmar Lake in Lachen, Sikkim, has the distinction of being one of the highest lakes in India and the world! It is worth visiting because this exquisite lake has immaculately clear water that reflects the snowcapped peaks in perfect serenity. It is like looking into the mind of the Buddha. Peaceful and calm. Named after Guru Padmasambhava, who is said to have visited in the 8th century, this lake is a holy site for Buddhists, Hindus as well as Sikhs. The best time to visit would be between the months of March and June.
How to get there: You can take a taxi to Lachen from Gangtok, which is the state of Sikkim’s capital. Gangtok is further connected to Siliguri, from where you need to take a bus or a taxi and is the nearest airport and railway station.
10. Vembanad Lake
The Vembanad Lake in Kerela is one of the longest lakes in India and is the spot for the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race that happens during the month of August every year. This longest lake in India spans several districts of Kerela, including Kuttanad, which is known as the rice bowl of Kerela. An important river ecologically and culturally, it gives several fishing communities their livelihood with its sizeable aquatic lifeforms. It is home to shrimps and has the largest population of seafowls as well.
How to get there: Kumarakom is the most popular entry point for the lake. From here, the closest airport is Kochi, and the closest railway station is Kottayam. Road trip to this lake is common due to the scenic views you will get to witness during the journey.
Lakes can be an ideal sightseeing point and, if circumstances allow, a scenic picnic spot with your loved ones. They do not have the volatility of the sea nor the rage of a river, instead, they are calm. A welcome feeling in anyone’s life!
We hope you get to invite at least one of these lakes into your life, and while you do so, don’t forget to check out our Treebo Hotels, available across most of these destinations. Our 1000+ hotels across 120+ locations are ready to welcome you with free wifi, complimentary breakfast and clean, comfortable rooms.
