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Also known as ephemeral saline lakes, Playa lakes are a type of endorheic system found in arid and semi-arid regions in which water comes together and is directly collected into the endorheic basin in a low area but cannot flow out. All of the Playa lakes in India, especially in Rajasthan, are an essential part of salt production, local biodiversity and the replenishment of groundwater. Playa lakes also play a role in the desert ecosystem, supporting plants and wildlife that are adapted to the harsh environment.
10 Playa Lakes In India
Here listed are the playa lakes in India, which have long served as centres for salt extraction, while others support rich wildlife:
1. Sambhar Lake (Jaipur, Ajmer, Nagaur Districts)
Photo: Aaron Curtis / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
India’s largest inland salt lake, Sambhar Lake, covers 230 sq. km in the Jaipur, Ajmer and Nagaur districts in Rajasthan. Dyed by the Menda, Rupangarh, Kharian and Khari rivers, it is endless, leading to vehement vapour with a high concentration of salt. With salt extraction dating back to the Mauryan Empire (322 to 185 BCE), the lake accounts for nearly 9% of India’s total salt production. There are also archaeological finds like pottery and settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation near the shores of the lake.
Nearest Railway: Sambhar Salt Lake Station
Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport
2. Lunkaransar Lake
Photo: Christopher Michel / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Located 95 km northeast of Bikaner, Lunkaransar Lake is a seasonal saline playa lake in India created by monsoon runoff. In contrast to most playas, which quickly evaporate, Lunkaransar has a prolonged retention time due to its low-permeability clay-rich soil. It can support a distinct aquatic ecosystem featuring migratory birds such as bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks and black-winged stilts. Historically, it was an important salt-extraction centre under the Rathore rulers of Bikaner.
Nearest Railway: Jodhpur International Airport
Nearest Airport: Lunkaransar railway station (LKS)
Nearby Attraction: Lunkaransar Fort
3. Tal Chhapar
Photo: Julia Volk / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Unique semi-arid playa Tal Chhapar is located within Tal Chhapar Blackbuck Sanctuary, 210 km from Jaipur. It is seasonal, unlike most salt lakes, but regular flooding sustains wide grassland. The lakebed was created by gypsum deposits, which prevent the lakebed from completely draining, temporarily leaving marshy conditions. Besides, this lake is an important source of water for 2,000-odd blackbucks, making it one of the few wetland-grassland transition zones in India. Tal chappar attracts the Pallid harriers, Montagu’s harriers, and steppe eagles from Central Asia.
Nearest Railway: Chappar (Degana-Churu-Rewari line)
Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport
4. Didwana Lake
Photo: A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Deedwana Lake is a hypersaline playa lake in India and is one of Rajasthan’s saltiest water bodies, with a salt concentration exceeding 30% during peak summer months. It is located in the Nagaur District, at the geographical heart of the state. The lake provides sodium chloride and potash salts and was in use by the Rajput and Mughal salt trade links. Gypsum, halite, and borax deposits make the lakebed a major source of industrial minerals. The Didwana Salt Works was founded in the 20th century and is still active today.
Nearest Railway: Sanganeer Airport (Jaipur)
Nearest Airport: Didwana Railway Station
5. Panchpadra Lake
Photo: Isabel Wright / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The highly saline Panchpadra Lake, 60 km east of Barmer, is known for traditional salt. High evaporation with a natural underground salt brine source contributes to thick salt crust formations in the lake. The Panchpadra Salt Refinery, founded in the 19th century, produces one of India’s purest salts, which is recognised for its whiteness and high sodium content. The lake is essential for Barmer’s local economy, providing a means of income to thousands of salt workers.
Nearest Railway: Barmer railway station
Nearest Airport: Jodhpur Airport
6. Degana Lake
Photo: Renata-anna / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Degana Lake, located in Nagaur District near Degana town, is a playa lake in India characterised by uranium-rich deposits that give it geological significance. Degana, unlike other salt lakes, has high concentrations of uranium and rare earth elements detected during geological surveys in the 1980s. It is also a very important refuge for birds, including the Dalmatian pelicans and greater flamingos during the monsoon months.
Nearest Railway: Degana Junction
Nearest Airport: Jodhpur Airport
7. Kuchaman Lake
Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Kuchaman Lake is a historic playa lake situated adjacent to Kuchaman Fort, a fort of the prominent Marwari Rajput princely state of Nagaur District. The lake is moderately saline, with some portions remaining brackish due to seasonal inflow of freshwater by local runoff. The catchment is developed, and temporary algal blooms can support various waterfowl species. The lake is notorious for its healing mud high in minerals. Gradually, it became an essential water pipeline for the Kuchamans, leaving behind step-wells and aqueducts up to the banks of the village.
Nearest Railway: Kuchaman City railway station
Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport
8. Phalodi Lake
Photo: Matt Thornhill / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Phalodi Lake is a hypersaline playa located near the town of Phalodi in Jodhpur District, Rajasthan, with one of the highest evaporation rates in the region due to high summer temperatures exceeding 50°C. In addition, the lake is surrounded by dunes that are blown by seasonally, and these dunes can cover portions of the saturated lakebed. Traditionally, Phalodi was a prominent salt trading hub, with salt caravans passing through Jaisalmer, Sindh and Gujarat.
Nearest Railway: Phalodi railway station
Nearest Airport: Jodhpur Airport
9. Rewasa Lake
Photo: Ankit Rainloure / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
It is a semi-saline playa situated in Sikar District and is important historically and hydrologically. Unlike most Playa lakes, Rewasa is high in clay, which gives it the ability to retain freshwater for weeks in monsoon months before becoming increasingly saline in summer. The lake was pivotal to ancient water conservation, and the Rajput rulers built step-wells and reservoirs to capture seasonal inflows. The lake is a water source for migratory ducks and geese and is an important water source for local livestock.
Nearest Railway: Sikar Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport
10. Kavod Lake
Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kavod Lake, a relatively remote and obscure playa lake in India, lies in the Jaisalmer Desert region, where it creates a temporary ephemeral water body during the monsoon rains. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind a crust of gypsum and halite that sparkles brilliantly in the sunlight. During the wet season, the lake supports rare desert amphibians, like the Indian burrowing frog, which also surfaces after rainfall.
Nearest Railway: Jaisalmer Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Jodhpur Airport
The playa lakes in India are not merely a vestige of seasonal soil saturation but they are vitally important ecological and economic resources. These lakes provide salt, sustain wildlife and play a role in desert hydrology, with many of the lakes tracing a historical past as trading points, salt caravan centers and ancient water conservation systems. Plan your visit with TripXL to these lakes.
Cover Photo: jd garrett / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
