Jaisamand Lake
Also known as Dhebar , is located 52km
south east of Udaipur and was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1685.It
is one of the largest lakes in Asia covering an area of 36sqkm.
*On the banks of lake are elegant marble steps descending to the
water and a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
*The forests around Jaisamand, which once were the hunting grounds of
maharanas of Mewar, have now been converted into a game sanctuary.
The Jaisamand Sanctuary built in 1957 covering an area of 62sqkm
welcomes a wide variety of resident and migratory birds and animals.
¤ Jaisamand Lake -Second Biggest Artificial Lake
Jaisamand Lake is also known as Dhebar.The lake, built by Maharana Jai
Singh in 1685, is the second biggest artificial lake of the world
covering an area of 36sq km. The lake remained the largest artificial
lake in the world till the building of the Aswan dam in Egypt. The
statistics of the lake is really amazing – 9 miles in breadth,
102 feet deep at its deepest end, a circumference of 30 miles with
marble staircases leading into the water. The summer palaces of the
Queens of Udaipur surround Jaisamand Lake on all sides.
¤ Island Attractions
There are seven islands on this lake and the tribe of Bhil Minas (see
People of Rajasthan) inhabits all. Two bigger islands are known as
Babaka Bhagra and a smaller is called Piari. There is a bund on the
lake, which has to be mentioned due to its sheer size – 1202 feet
long, 116 feet high and 70 feet broad at the base.
¤ Shiva Temple
On the dam are six exotic cenotaphs and a Shiva temple in the centre.
The northern end of the lake has a palace with a courtyard while its
southern end has a pavilion of 12 pillars. The hills to its south have
grand palaces that have an excellent view of the lake. Tourists can
even enjoy the beauty of the lake by motor boats or simply play with
its water by diving and swimming.
¤ Jaisamand Sanctuary
Distance : 48km southeast of
Udaipur
This sanctuary built in 1957 lies just beside the artificial
Jaisamand Lake and has an area of 62sq km. The lake welcomes a wide
variety of resident and migratory birds and is also home to the
cunning crocodiles. The surrounding forest is infested with leopard,
cheetal (spotted deer), chinkara (Indian Gazelle) and wild boar. A
tourist bungalow, a forest rest house and a hotel provide
accommodation to the enthusiastic wildlife watchers. The best time to
visit the sanctuary is between November and June.
¤ Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary
Distance: 65km south east of
Udaipur
Covering an area of 423 sq km, the Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary mainly
contains deciduous forests. Wildlife here includes deer, wild boar,
caracal and sambar (a large Asiatic deer). Best time to make travel
vacations in the park is between March and July. |
