Marbled Ghat of Rajsamand Lake Udaipur, Rajasthan
After traveling for eight days in Rajasthan by road, through the deserts, hills, mountain ranges and forests, we finally got to see something pleasant and cooling to eyes. It was the Rajsmand Lake, a HUGE lake having a circumference of 7.5 km. Water, as far as the eyes could see! We spent some time sitting on the marbled steps in the ghat of Rajsamand Lake.
Rajsamand Lake (also known as Rajsamudra Lake) is one of the five largest lakes of Rajasthan. The other lakes being Fateh Sagar Lake, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola and Doodh Talai Lake. Also check a smaller lake of Rajasthan, the Gadsisar Lake in Jaisalmer.
Torana at Ghats of Rajsamand Lake Udaipur
Ghats of Rajsamand Lake Udaipur
Torana – weighing arches of Rajsamand Lake Udaipur Rajasthan
Thanks to Maharana Raj Singh I, India is proud of this second largest man made sweet water lake in Asia. The wiki says:
During World War II, the lake was used as a seaplane base by Imperial Airways for about six years.
Today its water is used for irrigation and the canal network services within the state and if good monsoons prevail this will continue. The main source of water for this lake is River Gomati.
Marbled Ghat of Rajsamand Lake Udaipur
Most striking feature of this lake is the huge embankment made of pure white marble. It looked so neat and well maintained. Along the bank there are 5 toranas (weighing scales). These toranas played an important role during tula daan (official charity functions) of the kings. During these tula daan ceremonies Maharana Raj Singh and his descendants weighed themselves in gold and distributed that among the poor people of their kingdom.
Intricate details on pillars – Rajsamudra Lake
The nauchowki (nine pavilions) here are excellent subjects for photography. The intricate carvings of Gods’ and Goddesses’ images and that of animals’ and flowers’ are very distinct and clear. There are 27 marble slabs which has 1017 inscriptions depicting history of Mewar. This is reputed to be one of the longest etchings in India.
Travel Tips of Rajsamand Lake
- Tour time for Rajsamand Lake is half an hour unless you want to linger on.
- The pavilions and toranas make excellent photography material.
- Avoid mid day tour of the place. The heat can be harsh especially during summers.
- Nearest tour destinations are Haldighati and Nathdwara Temple
- There are no entertainment facilities, so don’t expect activities like boating there.
Marble terraces and stone steps all along the bank.
Location of Rajsamand Lake Udaipur
Rajsamand Lake is located 66 km in the north of Udaipur. It is accessible by road from Udaipur and other cities of Rajasthan. The lake lies between Rajnagar and Kankroli.
(Updated post. This was first published on Jan 19th, 2009.)
Ive just returned to blogging and what a soothing picture to greet me
How beautiful India is…!! And you capture it’s beauty so well, for all to see.
Hope the award givers are watching.
What amazing photos!!! Such incredible details with the beatiful lake as the backdrop. Thanks again!
So beautiful! Sigh!
How do u manage 2 get such wondrful pix? hey thanks dear friend 4 yr motivating comments..
You take the most beautiful images of fine detail. Just lovely.
Wow really nice pictures !
Wow what a gorgeous place and the architect is spectacular.
Thanks for the stop over
The lake looks so calm and cool 🙂
some outstanding capture. Gorgeous, stunning!!
do visit my other blog some time in case u like poetry n fiction
http://avinash-theparaiah.blogspot.com/
Have a nice time
Regards
Beautiful and very peaceful..
BTW…I had my daughter look at many of your posts, to give her an idea of why I love to come and read! She was so amazed at the beauty that was captured on film/digitaly. What a great opportunity for her to see how other countries live and read about such rich history!! Thank you.
I always wonder what the people felt and thought when they were making those beautiful things. They look like their makers were never in a hurry to get anywhere else.
That is so beautifull.
Nice to come and visit your part of the world. :biggrin:
So completly different from mine.:
your pics are always amazing!!
Such amazing stonework… and so perfectly preserved too! So many of the temples and such have decayed over the centuries. this one must be either relatively “new” or restored or perhaps the fact that it’s not in the jungle makes it less susceptible to the ravages of time.
Whatever the case, it’s simply gorgeous!
Definitely looks like a beautiful place with many details!
What a beautiful place. The lake and the wonderful structures with such intricate details. Wonderful.
Such beautiful architectural details you show us!
Beautiful pictures as is always the case with you.
Lovely place…Are you back in Bangalore?
You have there so amazing architecture and culture history…
Thank you so much for the photos of your buildings! They are always a pleasure to see the refined intricate decorations!
breathtaking beauty!
Wow! What stunning & absolutely awesome architecture. The detail is so eye pleasing. Thanks for sharing & happy SWF
You must had a great time there…looks very beautiful…
I’ve never seen such ornate arches. What lovely architecture. Great photos.
Some tremedous pics these !!!! just fabulous .!!
Very beautiful place. The buildings are so amazing. They are so well crafted.
The lake looks positively lovely. The architecture is amazing. Great pictures.
Incredible place. I love the architecture. My greedy eyes (and lens) would have lapped it up, too.
That’s double bonus in one post!
Hope the place remains clean, and the water too.
That’s double bonus in one post!
Hope the place remains clean, and the water too.
The architecture is amazing.
That is amazing, great setting, and I love the lake in the background.
Cheers!
Regina In Pictures
The fluid lines of these structures are beautiful. Sure is a wonderful place.
I do like the delicate carving on the pillars and supports of the buildings. That huge lake must be so refreshing in your hot climate, and its man made, amazing, India is an amazing country.
Very interesting architecture, so much details to enjoy. Great post.
There is so much beauty there, so much amazing artistc creation, it’s almost hard to comprehend! How fortunate your are!!
Such a beautiful lake in a desert ! Equally beautiful is the intricate work.
The lake is beautiful and the arches are amazing. I enjoy your country’s architecture as seen through the lens of your camera so much.
What a beautiful place to visit! The architecture is amazing. Thanks for taking us along.
Looks like a beautiful lake, and the ornate architecture is amazing.
An Arkie’s Musings