Udaipur, a city in Rajasthan, India, is known for its scenic beauty and royal heritage. It is home to the City Palace, one of the largest and most splendid palaces in India, which overlooks the Lake Pichola and the Jag Mandir island. But apart from the palace, there is another attraction in Udaipur that attracts many visitors every year. It is the Fateh Sagar Lake, a charming lake surrounded by hills and woods. Visit during One day trip Udaipur Local sightseeing
The lake is named after Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar, who constructed it in the 1880s. The lake is one of the four lakes of the Udaipur city; the other three being: the Lake Pichola (within the Udaipur town), Udai Sagar Lake, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) to the east of Udaipur, and Dhebar Lake or Jaisamand Lake, 52 km (32 mi) south east of Udaipur.
The lake has three small islands; the largest of these is the Nehru Park, which is a popular tourist attraction. In this article, we will explore the overview, location, timing/entry fees, how to reach, things to do/must see, significance, FAQ’s and conclusion of this lake.
Overview of Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake that was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 AD and later reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1889 AD. The lake covers an area of 4 km 2 (1.5 sq mi) and has a depth of 13.4 m (44 ft). The lake has three main entrances: one from Pichola Lake, one from Madar Lake and one from Badi Lake. The lake has three inlet channels that feed the lake and an overflow section on the eastern side that discharges flood flows during the monsoon season.
The lake has three small islands; the largest of these is the Nehru Park (4 km 2 (1.5 sq mi) area), which has a boat-shaped restaurant, a zoo and a garden. The second island (0.06 km 2 or 15 acres area) houses a public park with a water-jet fountain. The third island (1.2 km 2 area) is the address for the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO), which is one of the best solar observing sites in Asia. The lake offers a bird’s eye view of the Udaipur city and the Aravalli hills.
Location of Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is located in Udaipur city, which is about 400 km south-west of Jaipur city in Rajasthan state. Udaipur city is one of the oldest cities in India and has a rich history and culture. It is also known as “the City of Lakes” or “the Venice of the East” for its numerous lakes and palaces.
Timing/Entry Fees Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is open for visitors every day from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There is no entry fee for visiting the lake, but boat ride prices are as follows:
- Rs. 30 per person for Regular Boat Ride
- Rs. 100 – 200 per person for Motor Boat Ride
- Rs. 200 – 400 per person for Speed Boat Ride
The boat rides timings are from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
How to Reach Fateh Sagar Lake
The nearest airport to Fateh Sagar Lake is Jaipur International Airport, which is about 250 km away from Udaipur city. From there, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach Udaipur city. The nearest railway station to Fateh Sagar Lake is Udaipur Railway Station, which is about 5 km away from the lake. From there, one can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the lake. There are also regular buses available from Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and other cities to Udaipur city. Alternatively, one can also drive to Udaipur city by taking the National Highway 48 or 58.
Things to Do/Must See Fateh Sagar Lake
Apart from visiting Fateh Sagar Lake, there are many other things to do and see in Udaipur city. Some of them are:
- Visit the City Palace, which is one of the largest and most splendid palaces in India, which overlooks the Lake Pichola and the Jag Mandir island. The palace has several structures inside its premises, such as Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), Durbar Hall (royal court), Jagdish Temple (dedicated to Vishnu), Crystal Gallery (displaying crystal objects) and more.
- Visit the Lake Pichola, which is another beautiful lake in Udaipur city, which has two islands: Jag Niwas (where the famous Lake Palace Hotel is located) and Jag Mandir (where a 17th-century palace is located). The lake also offers boat rides, sunset views and romantic ambience.
- Visit the Saheliyon Ki Bari, which is a garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh for his queen and her maids. The garden has fountains, pools, pavilions, statues and flowers.
- Visit the Sajjangarh Palace or Monsoon Palace, which is a hilltop palace built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884. The palace offers a panoramic view of the Udaipur city and the surrounding hills.
- Visit the Bagore Ki Haveli, which is a 18th-century mansion built by a prime minister of Mewar. The haveli has a museum that displays costumes, jewellery, paintings and other artifacts from the royal era. The haveli also hosts cultural shows such as puppet shows, folk dances and music in the evening.
Significance of Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is significant for many reasons. Some of them are:
- It is a beautiful lake that offers a scenic view of the Udaipur city and the Aravalli hills. The lake has a serene and relaxing atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy boating, walking, cycling or picnicking.
- It is also a historical lake that was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 AD and later reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1889 AD. The lake is named after Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar, who was a great ruler and patron of arts and culture.
- It is also an ecological lake that supports and sustains ground water recharge, drinking water, agricultural use, industrial use and ecological water availability. The lake also provides habitat for various birds and fishes.
FAQ’s
Q: Why is Fateh Sagar Lake called “the second Kashmir” of Udaipur?
A: Fateh Sagar Lake is called “the second Kashmir” of Udaipur because of its natural beauty and charm. The lake has a blue water surface and a green mountain backdrop, which resembles the scenery of Kashmir, the northernmost state of India.
Q: What are the attractions on the islands of Fateh Sagar Lake?
A: The attractions on the islands of Fateh Sagar Lake are:
Nehru Park: The largest island of the lake, which has a boat-shaped restaurant, a zoo and a garden. The park also has a statue of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India.
Public Park: The second island of the lake, which has a public park with a water-jet fountain. The park also has some sculptures and benches.
Udaipur Solar Observatory: The third island of the lake, which is the address for the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO), which is one of the best solar observing sites in Asia. The observatory has various instruments and telescopes to study the sun and its phenomena.
Q: What are the rules and regulations for visiting Fateh Sagar Lake?
A: The rules and regulations for visiting Fateh Sagar Lake are:
One has to buy a ticket before taking a boat ride on the lake.
One has to follow the instructions of the staff and security personnel.
One has to dress modestly and respectfully, covering their shoulders and knees.
One has to refrain from smoking, drinking or eating on the boats or near the lake.
One has to refrain from littering or polluting the lake.
Conclusion
Fateh Sagar Lake is a beautiful lake in Udaipur that attracts many visitors every year. It is a historical lake that was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 AD and later reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1889 AD. It is also an ecological lake that supports and sustains ground water recharge, drinking water, agricultural use, industrial use and ecological water availability. It is also a scenic lake that offers a bird’s eye view of the Udaipur city and the Aravalli hills. Visiting Fateh Sagar Lake is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be missed by anyone who wants to