Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan

About Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola is a man-made artificial lake and one of the several adjoining lakes, which have been developed to a great extent over the last few centuries. When Maharana Udai Singh founded the city of Udaipur, he saw the lake and was awestruck with its natural beauty and decided to extend the lake by building a dam made out of stone. The lake is not too deep and often dries up in extremely hot weather. If you are here in the monsoons, you'll realise one shower of heavy rainfall is enough to fill up the lake for around a year.

Lake Pichola has two main islands situated on it, the Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir. The lake is also famous for its many small islands, temples and bathing ghats. The Jag Mandir is one of the oldest and one of the most intriguing palaces on the lake. It was here that Prince Khurram took refuge and stayed with his wife and two sons. The other magnificent palace here is the Jag Niwas which is known as the City Palace. It has been converted into a heritage hotel and is one-of-its-kind for its sheer magnificence. The Lake also houses the Mohan Mandir, a place from where Rana Udai Singh used to watch the famous Gangaur festival. The other famous island is the Arsi Vilas, where you can enjoy the glorious views of the sunset and see a variety of birds in its courtyard.

A trip on Lake Pichola, though, is incomplete without a boat ride. Famous for its solar-powered motor boats, it boasts of an eco-friendly environment. If you wish to see the beauty of the calm blue waters, then stay here till the sun sets. You can here have a feast with myriad restaurants offering a number of local delicacies. Picholi Bar, one of the most famous restaurants here, promises a lovely evening complete with stunning views and delicious food.

Location

Lake Pichola is situated beside the City Lake Palace in Udaipur. It is easily accessible by road with local buses, tongas, auto rickshaws and taxis taking tourists every now and then.

How to Reach

The nearest airport is the Maharana Pratap Airport, which is 22 km away from the main city. The railway station is located at a convenient distance from the city. Udaipur is connected through a major railway network with all the major cities of India. If you wish to experience that royal feeling, you should travel on 'Palace on Wheels', a luxurious train that offers the travellers an unforgettable experience. The city also has a well-established bus service network, which includes deluxe and non-deluxe buses as well as state-run transport.

With a brilliant road network to its credit, you can drive down to the city, or if you don't want to drive, you can hire a vehicle from the tour operators and enjoy a wonderful chauffer driven journey to this city.

Best Time to Visit

It is not advisable to take a tour of this magnificent city of lakes and palaces in the hot weather. A little relief with the cooling showers can be sensed during the monsoon season, but the duration is short lived because the city does not receive much rain even during the season, making the weather humid and sticky. The best time to visit Udaipur is during the months from September to March. The weather is very pleasant and you can enjoy every bit of your stay during this period. A number of festivals and celebrations take place during this time, the most significant being Shilpgram Crafts Mela, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Location of Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan

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Pichola Lake - Entry Fee, Timing, Address, Official Website
Address	Besides Udaipur City Palace, Picchola Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan - 313001
Entry Fee :	No entry fee
Timings :	Visiting Hours - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Phone No (Official)	+91-294-2411535
Official Website	www.udaipur.org.uk
Photography allowed or not	Allowed
Nearest railway station	Udaipur City Train Station

Last Updated on : May 26, 2015