Rajasthan is arid and semiarid region, however many natural lakes have existed in Rajasthan since ancient times. In the medieval and modern times, the kings of princely states also constructed many lakes. There are fresh and salt water lakes in Rajasthan, out of which most of the lakes are fresh water lakes.
Freshwater Lakes.
Jaisamand Lake.
Jaisamand Lake, also known as Dhebar Lake, is a large reservoir located to the southeast of the Aravalli Range in south–central Rajasthan, India. It is one of the state’s prime tourist attractions and holds the distinction of being the largest artificial lake in Asia. Situated 51 km southeast of Udaipur city on the Udaipur–Salumbar road, it is renowned for its scenic surroundings and the architectural beauty of its dam. The best time to visit is during the monsoon, when the lakeside road lined with qanat-fed cottages presents a particularly enchanting view.
Rajsamand Lake.
Located approximately 60 km north of Udaipur in Rajsamand district, Rajsamand Lake is India’s second-largest artificial lake, covering an area of 88 km². It was created in the 17th century by Rana Raj Singh I, who built a dam across the Gomti River. Along its embankment stands a marble memorial inscribed with the famous royal eulogy, the Raj Prashasti, composed by Rānchhod Bhatt and engraved at Rana Raj Singh’s command. The lake is overlooked by the hilltop palace known as Rajmandir.
Pichola Lake.
Pichola Lake lies just west of the city of Udaipur, near the village of Pichola. Originally excavated by a Banjara chief during the reign of Rana Lakha in the late 14th century, it was later enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II, the city’s founder. The lake features two islands—Jag Niwas (now the Lake Palace Hotel) and Jag Mandir, which hosts the historic Jag Mandir Palace.
Ana Sagar Lake.
Ana Sagar Lake, also called Anasagar Lake, is an artificial lake in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. It was constructed in the mid-12th century (c. 1135–1150 CE) by Anaji Chauhan, grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, and was named after him.
Siliserh Lake.
Siliserh Lake is situated in Alwar district. It was created in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh of Alwar, who built a royal palace and lodge on its shores for his queen. This palace now serves as the Lake Palace Hotel, managed by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.
Nakki Lake.
Nakki Lake is located near the Raghunath Temple on Mount Abu in Sirohi district and is Rajasthan’s highest freshwater lake. Legend holds that a Hindu deity dug it out with his nails, hence its name ('nakh' meaning 'nail'). The lake offers panoramic views of surrounding hills, boating facilities, and a popular sunset viewpoint to the southwest. A landscaped island fountain powered by a 70-horsepower pump shoots water up to 80 feet high. Pilgrims bathe here on Kartik Purnima, and hundreds of tourists visit to witness its changing hues at dusk.
Fatehsagar Lake.
Fatehsagar Lake in Udaipur district was rebuilt by Maharana Fateh Singh in the late 19th century. Connected to Lake Pichola, it contains an island developed as Nehru Park and also houses a solar observatory.
Pushkar Lake.
Pushkar Lake, or Pushkar Sarovar, is a sacred Hindu lake in the town of Pushkar, Ajmer district. Mythology credits its creation to Lord Brahma, who is honoured with a nearby temple. The annual Pushkar Fair held on Kartik Purnima draws thousands of pilgrims who bathe here to cleanse their sins and are believed to be cured of skin ailments.
Foy Sagar Lake.
Foy Sagar Lake is an artificial lake near Ajmer built under the supervision of British engineer Foy as part of famine relief works. Its waters feed into Ana Sagar Lake.
Rangsagar Lake.
Rangsagar Lake is a small freshwater lake in Udaipur district, linked to Swaroop Sagar and Pichola Lakes. Built by Maharaja Amar Singh in 1668 CE—hence also called Amar Kund—it is about 250 m wide and 1 km long, and supplies water to the city.
Balsamand Lake.
Balsamand Lake is located near Jodhpur. It was constructed in 1159 CE by King Balak Rao of the Pratihara dynasty. It continues to provide drinking water and enhances Jodhpur’s scenic beauty.
Swaroop Sagar Lake.
Swaroop Sagar Lake is a small lake in Udaipur, connected to Pichola and Rangsagar Lakes.
Gajner Lake.
Gajner Lake lies 32 km from Bikaner city. Measuring approximately 0.4 km in length and between 183 m and 274 m in width, it is a noted local water body.
Kolayat Lake.
Kolayat Lake, in Bikaner district, is considered sacred; pilgrims bathe here during the annual Kartik Purnima fair in honour of the sage Kapila Muni. The lake is ringed by bathing ghats shaded by peepal trees.
Dugari Lake.
Also known as Kanak Sagar, this lake near the village of Dugari spans about 3 km² and was constructed in 1580 CE at a cost of ₹200,000. It is the largest water reservoir in Bundi district.
Talwara Lake.
Talwara Lake forms seasonally in Hanumangarh district when monsoon rains fill a natural depression on the Ghaggar-Hakra riverbed. It is the only lake in this otherwise arid region.
Buddha Johad Lake.
Located near Gurudwara Buddha Johad, Dabla in Shrigangangar district, Buddha Johad Lake collects water from the Gang Canal. Its limited capacity makes it unsuitable for irrigation.
Kadila and Mansarovar Lakes.
These artificial lakes in Jhalawar district, built near the Mukundra hills by damming local streams, supply water principally for irrigation. Mansarovar Lake lies near the village of Rateri.
Pithampuri Lake.
Pithampuri Lake in Neem Ka Thana tehsil of Sikar district is a small depression that fills with rainwater for several months each year but dries up thereafter, making it of little use for irrigation.
Gadisar Lake.
Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer town—named after Rawat Ghadsi Singh—lies just southeast of the Gadsisar Gate. It collects rainwater for drinking purposes and is surrounded by temples and tombs.
Badi Lake.
Badi Lake lies 12 km from Udaipur in the village of Badi. Built by Rana Raj Singh I between 1652 and 1680 CE and originally named Jiyan Sagar, it was later renamed by his mother. Encompassing 155 km of embankment, it is 180 m long and 18 m wide, and during the 1973 drought served as Udaipur’s primary water source.
Saline Lakes.
The saline lakes of Rajasthan’s desert belt are remnants of the ancient Tethys Sea.
Sambhar Salt Lake.
Sambhar Lake near Jaipur is India’s largest inland salt lake, lying at an elevation of 1,200 ft above sea level. When full, its area reaches about 90 sq mi, fed by three rivers. Extensive salt extraction occurs here, sourced from sodium-rich sediments in the Aravalli troughs that dissolve in monsoon rains and concentrate as the lake evaporates.
Pachpadra Lake.
Pachpadra Lake in Balotra district is a saline lake famed for salt production. The local Kharwal community harvests crystallized salt using the indigenous ‘"morli jhadi"’ method. Legend credits a Bhil named Pancha with draining surrounding marshes to establish nearby villages some 400 years ago.
Didwana Lake.
Didwana Lake in Didwana in Didwana-Kuchaman district hosts a sodium sulfate plant for producing industrial-grade salt (“bryan”), unsuitable for consumption.