Nicknamed ‘the blue city’, Jodhpur is another city with a royal history in Rajasthan, India. It is well-known for landmarks and tourist attractions like Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jaswant Thada, Clock Tower, eclectic bazaars selling everything from colourful fabrics and handicrafts to traditional footwear, etc. And holding its own among such famous attractions is Balsamand Lake located just a few kilometres from the city centre on Jodhpur-Mandore Road. It is an artificial lake constructed in 1159 AD by the Rajput royal, Balak Rao Parihar, to supply water to Mandore. A royal summer palace made of red sandstone was also built along the edge of the lake in later years. The palace is now a five-star hotel that is owned by the royal family of Jodhpur and operated by the Welcome Heritage group. Beautiful manicured gardens surround this water reservoir and several animals and birds are frequent visitors here. The lake is a popular picnic spot for tourists and locals. To know more, simply scroll down and take a look at our guide to Balsamand Lake, Jodhpur.
Things to do / highlights
Since Balsamand Lake is a private property of the Balsamand Lake Palace hotel, it is only accessible to guests of the hotel.
Enjoy a relaxed picnic
About 15 metres (49 feet) deep, 50 metres (164 feet) broad and 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) long, Balsamand Lake is a majestic water reservoir that is quite charming and beautiful to look at. The surroundings of the lake are perfect for a relaxed picnic with family, friends or your partner. Panoramic vistas of the open skies reflected in the deep blue lake, lush gardens and the majestic sandstone palace hotel located here will enthral kids and adults alike. Pack a hearty picnic, spread your picnic blanket and enjoy a beautiful picnic by the shores of the lake. Play games, doze off, read a book or simply gaze upon the tranquil beauty of the lake. Breathtaking sunset views can also be enjoyed here.
Take a leisurely stroll through the gardens
The lush green gardens surrounding the lake are one of its most fascinating features. The gardens are freely accessible to guests staying at the hotel. Take a leisurely stroll through the well-planned and manicured gardens populated with several fruit trees like guava, plum, mango, pomegranate and papaya. Hear the sweet chirruping of melodious birds and keep an eye out for peacocks who are often seen in the garden. Animals like jackals and nilgai (blue bull) are also frequent visitors here. Guests can take a walk along the promenade surrounding the lake from where the beauty of both the garden and lake can be enjoyed.
Travelers tips
Time your visit
The summer months of March to May in Rajasthan are extremely hot and it is not advisable to visit the lake at this time. Even during other seasons, try to avoid visiting the lake in the afternoon to avoid the harsh afternoon sun. Evenings are best suited for a lake visit since the heat is quite bearable at that time and the sunset views are simply gorgeous. The best season to visit Balsamand Lake is winter, between the months of October and February.
Watch out for the monkeys
Along with peacocks, blue bull and jackals, monkeys are also often spotted near the lake. But they are notorious for stealing food and valuables and known to get aggressive too. It is advisable to watch out for them while walking along the lake or in the gardens.
How to get there
Public transport
The nearest train station from Balsamand Lake is Jodhpur Railway Station. From there, you can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw to take you to the lake. The drive will take about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take a bus to the lake. Jodhpur Bus Depot is located approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the lake and several local buses will easily take you there.
Taxi or auto-rickshaw
Taxi or auto-rickshaw is the easiest form of transport to Balsamand Lake. Since it is located just 5 km (3.1 mi) away from Jodhpur’s city centre, any taxi or auto-rickshaw will easily take you there. Grab one from the Clock Tower in Jodhpur.
Private vehicle
Balsamand Lake is located on the Jodhpur-Mandore Road and is well-connected by roads to Delhi, Mumbai and other metro cities. The lake is also easily accessible from other cities within Rajasthan. Thus, you can easily drive your own car or two-wheeler or a rental one to the lake.
Parking information
Free and secure public parking is available near the lake to guests of the hotel.
Where to stay (from USD 149)
Located in the vicinity of the Balsamand Lake is the beautiful Welcome Heritage Bal Samand Lake Palace hotel. Constructed from red sandstone, this majestic hotel is an imposing sight, especially against the backdrop of the deep blue waters of the Balsamand Lake. The hotel’s architecture is typically ornate Rajput style. This former summer residence of the rulers of Jodhpur is a luxury palace hotel where guests can expect well-appointed and tastefully designed rooms. Royal furnishings and fixtures, traditional hospitality and service along with numerous modern conveniences await you at this hotel. Guests also have access to a croquet lawn, lush gardens, swimming pool and the lake.
WelcomHeritage Bal Samand Lake Palace
Address: Mandore Road, Jodhpur
4.11 km (2.6 mi) from Mehrangarh Fort
Balsamand Lake information
Balsamand Lake
Address: Mandore Road, Near BSF STC, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 324006, India
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Department of tourism: Visit Jodhpur
History
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