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With diverse ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes, India is home to some of the most notable lakes in the world. These breathtaking features provide stunning views for photographers and thrill-seekers alike. From tranquil mountain lakes to broad freshwater lakes, each renowned lake has its specialities, and these lakes and their regions have identifiable cultural significance. The famous lakes in India offer some extraordinary experiences, such as enjoying the tranquillity of boating in Dal Lake, sailing across the serene waters of Pangong, and even witnessing the high biodiversity of Chilika. On the other hand, let’s uncover the beautiful renowned lakes within India, highlighted by unique lakes.
Top 10 Famous Lakes In India
India is home to numerous stunning lakes, each offering breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, making them popular destinations for nature lovers and travelers alike. Here are the top 10 lakes in India to discover on your trip:
1. Dal Lake
Photo: Suhail Skindar Sofi / Wikimedia Commons
Lake Dal is surely one of the most famous lakes in India. This picturesque lake is littered with glistening houseboats and a thriving floating market. Painted like the crown jewel of Kashmir, this lake is in the heart of Srinagar. The snow-white mountains along its shoreline and Mughal gardens make it one of the main tourist attractions. This is a must-go for anyone looking to explore Kashmir when they want to be there for the best period of April to October when the weather is pleasant and the lake carpets with blooming lotus. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most famous lakes in India.
Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Entry Fees: Free
Best Time To Visit: May to November
2. Pangong Lake
Photo: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons
Pangong Lake is one of the most visited lakes in India, and it is famous for its blue hues that change with light. It is 4,350 meters above sea level and stretches through India and Tibet, providing stunning views that make it a destination for tourists worldwide. Because it was part of a blockbuster Bollywood movie, it has become a hotspot for adventure tourists and photographers. Unlike other famous lakes in India, Pangong is largely brackish water, and it remains completely frozen in winter even with the very low temperatures.
Location: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Best Time To Visit: May to September
3. Chilika Lake
Photo: Phadke09 / Wikimedia Commons
Being one of the glories of India, Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and stretches over an area of 1,100 square kilometres across the Puri, Ganjam, and Khurda districts of the state of Odisha. It is truly a bird watcher’s haven and an excellent place to visit for any admirer of nature. The lake is the home of the world-famous Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, wherein more than thousands of migratory birds, i.e., flamingos, pelicans, and herons flock here every winter. Chilika is one of the few places in India from where one can see endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
Location: Odisha
Best Time To Visit: November to February
4. Vembanad Lake
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
This stretch of Vembanad Lake is the longest in India and one of the major attractions in the backwaters of Kerala. Emerging as one of the prominent lakes in India, it spans many districts, including Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. The lake is important in Kerala’s tourism industry as it presents breathtaking views of cruises, village life, and more. The annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held in August, is a crowd-puller, with scorching human mouths beside the racing course. The houseboat cruises on Vembanad Lake have become a big event for travellers who can now take home memories of lush green surroundings, coconut groves, and idyllic local settlements.
Location: Kerala
Best Time To Visit: August to March
Entry Fees: Free
5. Loktak Lake
Photo: ch_15march / Wikimedia Commons
Loktak Lake in Manipur is one of the most famous lakes in India. It is a natural wonder, being the only floating lake in the world. It is known for its “phumdis” – floating masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter float on the lake’s surface. The lake is the lifeblood of Manipur, giving livelihood to thousands of fishermen and supporting a wide variety of life. Loktak Lake is home to the world’s only floating national park, the Keibul Lamjao National Park, which provides a habitat for the endangered deer, Sangai, the state animal of Manipur.
Location: Manipur
Entry Fees: Free
Best Time To Visit: October to March
6. Sambhar Lake
Photo: Nawanshu91 / Wikimedia Commons
The Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, India’s largest saline lake, is well known for its salt production and ecological importance and covers nearly 230 square kilometres of land. It is one of India’s most popular tourist places for salt production. The lake is famous for its scenic beauty, most of all during the sunrise and sunset when the vast salt fields get surreal reflections. The Sambhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is a bird lover’s haven; the migratory flamingos and pelicans frequent the lake every winter. The saline water and picturesque beauty of the lake are unique and breathtaking for photographers and nature lovers alike.
Location: Rajasthan
Entry Fees: Free
Best Time To Visit: November to February
7. Tsomgo Lake
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
Tsomgo Lake is also known as Changu Lake, and at an elevation of 3,753 meters in Sikkim, it is still one of India’s major lakes. This India-famous Lake witnesses the change of colours through the four seasons and its tranquil, untouched beauty. During the winter, the Lake freezes completely, providing a surreal, snow-laden landscape, but in summer, it is mirrored blue from the sky with the snow-laden mountain ranges in the backdrop. The local Sikkimese people consider the Lake sacred, and it is associated with several myths and legends.
Location: Sikkim
Best Time To Visit: April to June
8. Pichola Lake
Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons
Pichola Lake is one of the most Celebrated in the list of lakes across India man-made lake built in 1362 AD in the best location of Udaipur, Rajasthan, encircled by palaces, ghats, and temples. The Lake is famous for the beautiful Lake Palace that seems to float on the water. It is now a luxury hotel. Another attraction is the City Palace, with a panoramic view of the lake and the Aravalli hills. A wonderful afternoon or evening boat ride is a good way to see Pichola Lake when the whole surrounding is shining bright shades of gold.
Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Entry Fees: Free
Best Time To Visit: October to March
9. Bhimtal Lake
Photo: Subhrajyoti07 / Wikimedia Commons
The Bhimtal Lake is among the most famous lakes in India, situated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. This India-famous Lake is larger than the relatively well-known Nainital Lake and is more tranquil. Its uniqueness lies mostly in an island in the middle of the lake, which houses an aquarium with exotic fish species. The island can be reached through boat rides, a popular tourist activity. The green hills surrounding the lake offer a perfect retreat for nature and photography lovers.
Location: Uttarakhand
Entry Fees: Free
Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to December
10. Upper Lake
Photo: Manuel Osdoba / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Upper Lake, or Bhojtal, is one of India’s most well-known lakes, having served as the lifeline of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. This lake of India is the oldest artificial lake in the country, assumed to have been built in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj. Terraced gardens surround Upper Lake, and it is ideal for boating and kayaking. It provides ample space for leisurely picnics and offers a scenic getaway with stunning sunset views for locals and tourists alike. The Kamla Park area near the lake is perfect for evening strolls and photography.
Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Entry Fees: Free
Best Time To Visit: October to March
India includes famous lakes with different landscapes, cultural importance, and good biodiversity. These India famous lakes include the high-altitude Pangong and the tranquil backwaters of Vembanad. These Indian lakes are waiting for Nature lovers, photographers, and peace seekers to enjoy these fantastic places amidst rare beauty. Plan your visit to these famous lakes now and witness the extraordinary!
Cover Photo: Basharat Shah / Wikimedia Commons
