Visitors flock to Lake Pichola in Udaipur for its picturesque features and attractions. Located in Rajasthan, India, the artificial freshwater lake was built in 1362 by Pichu Banjara and was named after Picholi village. It is the oldest lake in the state and developed over the years to create and preserve its historical value. Once you’re in the heart of Udaipur, you’ll find the lake surrounded by gorgeous palaces, ghats, temples, and lush trees and flora. Locals and tourists consider Lake Pichola as the most important tourist spot to go to when you’re in the city. It’s not hard to fall in love with the lake, and its mesmerizing beauty makes your visit worthwhile and noteworthy. No need to worry about knowing what you can do on the lake, as our guide to Lake Pichola, Udaipur, can help you out big time.
Things to do / highlights
The City of Lakes has so much to offer its visitors, despite their small land size. When you arrive, check out these things to do and get your cameras and phones out for a day of sightseeing and exploring the enchanting beauty of the artificial lake, Lake Pichola.
Jag Mandir
Tourists love going to Jag Mandir which served as a summer retreat for local guests from Udaipur. It was built in the 1500s by Maharana Amar Singh, who was succeeded by Maharana Karan Singh, his son. However, it was finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh and was named after him. Local and foreigners are greeted with elegant marble carvings of elephants at the entrance.
City Palace
Situated on the east side of Lake Pichola, the historic structure was built throughout the years by 22 generations of the Sisodia Rajputs from 1559. Udai Singh II, from the succeeding generations, also added beautiful decorations to the palace. Visitors say the view of the lake from the palace is lovely, as the reflection of the lights on the lake makes it a fairytale-like wonder to see.
Mohan Mandir
Located on a smaller island in the lake complex, Mohan Mandir was built in the 1600s by Maharana Jagat Singh and served as the King’s place to view the festival of Gangaur.
Lake Palace
Lake Palace was built in the 1740s on Jag Island by Maharana Jagat Singh and has since been one of the well-known attractions of Lake Pichola. The palace has been renovated to become a heritage hotel with over 80 rooms filled with stained glass motifs that have their guests awestruck with its architecture. It serves as a summer retreat to the Maharanas of Udaipur.
Arsi Vilas
You can also visit Arsi Vilas, the fourth island of Lake Pichola. Built by one of the Maharanas as an armory and sunset viewpoint of the lake, tourists can now see it as a bird sanctuary that houses a variety of birds.
Swaroop Sagar Bridge
One of the top tourist attractions of the lake is the Swaroop Sagar Bridge that connects Lake Pichola to another lake named Swaroop Sagar, The majestic bridge is famous for its ornamental design. The place is perfect for social media-worthy photos with the beautiful lake as your backdrop.
Gangaur Ghat
The Gangaur Ghat (or commonly known as Gangori Ghat among locals) is the main ghat of Lake Pichola. A ghat means “a mountain pass” or a flight of stairs that lead to a river. It is one of the most popular places with tourists and locals, especially during festivals like the Gangaur Festival.
Chabutaras
Visitors can see the Chabutaras as raised platforms along the banks of the lake, which was used for various purposes. One of the platforms was associated with the legend of Natini Chabutara. She was a tightrope walker during Maharana Jawan Singh’s reign in the 1800s. Legend says that she was asked by the king to cross the lake from the village to the City Palace (which were on opposite sides of the lake) on a tightrope, in exchange for half of the Mewar Kingdom as a gift when performed successfully. However, in the middle of Natini’s tightrope walk, the king cut off the rope and she fell into the lake. Natini then cursed the king and his family that they would not have any blood-related descendants in the coming years. Locals believed the curse to be true as six out of seven of Jawan Singh’s successors were adopted.
Boat rides
Sunset boat rides are famous among locals and tourists as it provides a clear view of the lake complex and offers a calming and serene experience. The boats come with canopies and can house up to eight guests, and the ride starts from Rameshwar Ghat (Lake Palace) to Jag Mandir. Visitors can purchase boat ride tickets at the City Palace.
Travelers tips
When to visit (by the season)
Locals and tourists consider the months of September to March as the best times to visit Udaipur and its attractions, including Lake Pichola. Depending on your availability and what you want to do, you can always visit the place in any season.
Winter
Udaipur’s winter season is also their peak season that runs from November to February, and provides visitors and locals a cool atmosphere that can range from 12°C (53.6°F) to 30°C (86°F). It is regarded as the best season to visit the attraction, and you can travel and explore the city without the sunshine and sweat.
Summer
Tourists may find Udaipur’s summer season as extreme with temperatures ranging only from 40°C (104°F) to 45°C (113°F). However, many festivities take place in the city during this season, such as the Mewar festival. The summer season lasts from March to June.
Monsoon
The months of July through October offer slight rainfall and is Udaipur’s off-season. Visitors can expect surrounding landscapes to be filled with dew that makes sights even more majestic. This season is perfect for those looking for budget-friendly activities and travel deals.
How to get there
Fly on a plane
The fastest way to get to the lake is by plane. If you’re already in New Delhi, ride the subway (Orange Line) from New Delhi Station to Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is a 19-minute ride. Take a one-hour flight to Udaipur, and once you arrive, you can hail a cab to Lake Pichola and enjoy the 23-minute travel.
Train
Take a train from Delhi Sarai Rohilla station to Udaipur, and expect the ride to last up to over 12 hours. From Udaipur station, ride a cab to Lake Pichola, which will take about 4 minutes. Another train route is from Delhi station, where the almost 15-hour ride will lead you to Ranapratapnagar. Once you arrive, you can also take a taxi to the lake, which is approximately a five-minute travel.
Bus
You can ride a bus from New Delhi to Udaipur, which will take over 13 hours to complete. Buses come hourly so you don’t need to worry if you miss a bus last minute. When you reach Udaipur, hail a taxi for a three-minute ride to Lake Pichola.
Drive to the lake
If you wish to explore the place on your own, you can rent a car at New Delhi International Airport and drive to the lake for nine hours and 28 minutes. Brace yourself for the 652.1-km (405.2 mi) ride.
Lake Pichola, Udaipur information
Lake Pichola, Udaipur
Address: Rameshwar Ghat, City Palace Complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Cost: 3 to 10 USD
Official website: Lake Pichola, Udaipur
Department of tourism: Visit Rajasthan
Lake Pichola: Evening Boat ride with Private Transfers
Duration: 3.0 hour
History
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