We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Lake Pichola, Rajasthan, India

A watery surprise awaits visitors to Udaipur in India’s semi-arid Rajasthan region: beautiful Lake Pichola. The first of a series of man-made lakes, Lake Pichola is the foundation on which the city itself was founded. Udaipur is now surrounded by man-made lakes connected by rivers and canals spanned by multiple decorative arches, giving it the title Venice of The East. The beauty of the 1,700-acre shallow lake…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Pichola! Article topics include:

Looking for Lake Pichola cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Lake Pichola, India

    Lake Locations: India - West India - Rajasthan Region, West India -

    A watery surprise awaits visitors to Udaipur in India’s semi-arid Rajasthan region: beautiful Lake Pichola. The first of a series of man-made lakes, Lake Pichola is the foundation on which the city itself was founded. Udaipur is now surrounded by man-made lakes connected by rivers and canals spanned by multiple decorative arches, giving it the title Venice of The East. The beauty of the 1,700-acre shallow lake encouraged the building of multiple palaces along its shore in the six-and-a-half centuries since its creation. The lake has also been enlarged by further damming at least once, drowning the village of Pichola from which it takes its name. The plentiful water resources encouraged settlement and further efforts to build artificial lakes surrounded by ever-blooming gardens, multiple palaces and an eventual tourism industry based on these romantic views. Udaipur is now a cultural delight and one of the most often visited locations in the Rajasthan region.

    The Sisarma, a tributary of the Kotra River, was dammed first in 1362 by a gyspy Banjahara tribesman to provide a pathway for transporting grain across the Sisarma. Two centuries later, Maharana Udai Singh II founded the city of Udaipur on the banks of the lake and also enlarged the lake by constructing a stone masonry dam in the Badipol region. Although large, the lake is quite shallow, with an average depth of only 14 feet. During periods of prolonged drought, the inflow from the Sisarma and the drainage from the surrounding hills is inadequate to keep the lake filled. The lake has been known to dry up completely on occasion.

    Two large islands grace the surface of Lake Pichola. Jag Niwas Island is better known as the Lake Palace Hotel. The four-acre island is completely covered by a palace converted to a luxury hotel which plays host to India’s Bollywood stars and elite visitors. This famous structure is often recognized as a shooting location in the James Bond movie, Octopussy. Jag Mandir holds the Lake Garden Palace. Several smaller islands also serve various purposes, with Arsi Vilas a haven for birds; a platform, Natni-Ka-Chabutra, has its own legend involving a drowned tightrope walker and a curse she placed on the descendants of Maharana Jawan Singh.

    A second small lake was constructed on the southeast side of Lake Pichola. Although named Doodh Talai, the small lake is more of an inlet for an incoming stream and contributes its water to the larger Lake Pichola. Two parks grace the shore near Doodh Talai. Marble temples, palaces, family mansions, bathing ghats and nature reserves have built up around Lake Pichola. Sitamata Game Sanctuary graces its western shore. And Udaipur itself is home to a number of museums depicting the extravagant lifestyles of the royal families of the Rajput era. Some of these are City Palace museum, Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum, Shilpgram Museum, Ahar Museum and a vintage car museum.

    The City Palace of Udaipur graces the eastern shore of Lake Pichola, an imposing and somewhat eclectic structure with additions built by a succession of rulers. Boats plying the lake carrying tourists and sightseers depart from here. Jagdish Temple built in the Indo-Aryan architectural style is located in the City Palace complex. Its architecture includes beautifully carved pillars, decorated ceilings, painted walls and beautiful halls; it is one of the major tourist attractions in Udaipur. South of the palace is the hill known as Machhala Magra where part of the old city wall and the small fort of Eklinggarh can still be seen. Beyond this the former Khasi Odi, or hunting lodge of the Maharanas, is now a hotel.

    Udaipur is a renowned tourism destination where visitors tour the waterways by boat, visit the lush gardens watered by the lakes, and schedule exclusive palaces-turned-hotels for weddings and celebrations. All types of lodgings are available in a wide range of prices. Some of the more elaborate are quite highly-priced, but there are other smaller hotels and guest houses that will suit most visitors’ needs and budgets. The city is well-endowed with restaurants and nightlife. Excursions can be taken to other unique locations in the surrounding area or to visit small villages along the lakeshore for festivals and fireworks.

    Lake Pichola has suffered from declining water quality due to a combination of growing population with poor sanitary systems, irrigation run-off and the generally saline soil of the shallow lakebed. Most fishing is no longer viable, and many native species of fish no longer can live here. Increased focus on improving water quality has led to major improvements in sewer systems and pollution prevention from run-off. Irrigation from the lake has been halted and water quality is improving rapidly. Invasive aquatic plants have been removed, and new sewer projects are quickly being implemented. Udaipur knows that both its past and its future depend on the viability of Lake Pichola, and the citizens are determined not to let their famous ‘liquid assets’ be degraded. As much of the population still depends on Lake Pichola for bathing and laundry, they are most conscious of any negative change in the water’s quality. Improved scientific monitoring and more money for remediation projects are producing rapid results. The Venice of The East intends to maintain its proud reputation as the most popular destination in Rajasthan. They hope you will visit soon so they can introduce you to their beautiful lakes.

    Things to Do at Lake Pichola

    These are some activities in the Lake Pichola, India area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Hunting
    • Birding
    • Museum
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Lake Pichola

    If you’re considering a Lake Pichola lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Pichola Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Pichola lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Lake Pichola Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Surface Area: 1,720 acres

    Shoreline Length: 8 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,941 feet

    Average Depth: 14 feet

    Maximum Depth: 28 feet

    Water Volume: 10,604 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1362

    Drainage Area: 21 sq. miles

    Lake Pichola Map

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Lake Pichola Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    SHOP NOW
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Lake Pichola news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Lake Pichola forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Lake Pichola photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Lake Pichola article with your fellow LakeLubbers: