Balsamand Lake is an artificial lake situated 5 km from Jodhpur on Jodhpur-Mandore Road. A popular picnic spot, the lake was built by Balak Rao Pratihar in 1159 AD who belongs to the Kshatriya community. The man-made lake is recorded as India’s first artificial lake; was created to serve the purpose of a water reservoir for the people of Mandore. The lake with a length of 1 km, breadth of 50 meters, and depth of 15 meters is noted for the huge Balsamand Lake Palace that was added later as a summer palace on its shore and has now been converted into a Heritage 5-star hotel.
Balsamand lake is noted for its greenery with lush green gardens surrounding the lake. The huge gardens are full of colorful flower-bearing and fruit-bearing trees like mango, guava, papaya, pomegranate, and plum. Animals and birds like the jackal, monkey, and peacock pay the occasional visits to the gardens. The majestic lake is a photographer’s delight providing the best panoramic view of surrounding areas, making it ideal for visits with family. The ambiance is more than enough to keep both young and adults engaged. The best time to visit the lake is around sunset to witness the waning sunlight falling over the serene water of the lake. The lake is the best spot for spending romantic time together with your loved ones.
The huge Balsamand Lake Palace, built using red sandstone by Maharaj Sur Singh, the uncle of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; overlooking the lake, is an architectural masterpiece that adds to the grandeur of the surroundings. The lavish palace is a mix of both antiquity and modernity; offering unforgettable royal treatment to the guests from the time of arrival to the time of their departure, as a taste of Rajasthani hospitality, something for which the whole of Rajasthan is famous. The palace has been built following the Rajput style of design and craftsmanship to function as a summer rest house, for the local royal family of Jodhpur, who still own it.
The 8-pillared palace built on the embankment of a dam, has 3 gates for the entrance and is considered one of the best-preserved heritage hotels of Jodhpur with all modern amenities and is operated by the ITC Welcome Heritage Group of Hotels. The hotel which offers 1 Maharani suite, 9 regal suites, and 26 garden rooms; is famed for its tastefully decorated and designed rooms, royal furnishings, and fixtures. The Balsamand Lake is located just a few km away from the city center on the busy Jodhpur-Mandore Road. Guests of the Balsamand Lake Palace have free access to the lake as well as the gardens at any time, however, a visit during the afternoon any time of the year is best avoided. It is best to be careful of pesky monkeys who can be very aggressive sometimes.
However, other visitors wanting to enjoy the lake and the surrounding gardens need proper permission even though entry is free to the lake. But the gardens have some charges depending on the season. Visitors can also enter the small but well-maintained boali or stepwell built at the entrance of one of the gardens. Visitors can enjoy horse-riding provided near the lake. In the evening and night, dining in several of the nearby garden restaurants for full course meals including some of the best mouth-watering savories; overlooking the lake gives a great chance to take the mind away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The lake located at a distance of 8 km from Mehrangarh Fort and 10 km from Jodhpur Junction; is known for its stunning sunrise and sunset, and is open from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm throughout the year. Tourists visiting the lake can also visit the 100 pillar Maha Mandir located at a distance of 3 km from the lake or shop for a variety of Rajasthani hand-made souvenirs at local bazaars in the vicinity of the lake. The best months to visit the lake for tourists is from October to February when the temperature is cool and the lake exudes a cool breeze. The summer months of March to May are extremely hot and the visit to the lake is best avoided.
Tourists visiting the Balsamand Lake and Palace can also visit nearby tourist attractions like the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswanth Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, and Bhumiya Ji Mandir, Lalgarh Temple, and Ram Temple. Tourists can also hire taxis, auto-rickshaw, or charter buses to the lake palace hotel from Jodhpur railway station, Jodhpur bus depot or Jodhpur airport. A visit to Balsamand Lake and Palace Hotel is a must for honeymoon couples or families.
