Sambhar Salt Lake is India’s largest saline lake and is the source of much of Rajasthan’s salt production. Named after Shakambari Mata, who’s temple is built in the banks of the lake, it is also called Shakambari Jheel. Annually the lake produces over 196,000 tonnes of clean salt every year, which is about 10% of India’s total salt production. The lake is known for specialized algae and bacteria that grow in the lake. This gives the water striking colours that boosts the lakes ecology as well as sustain migratory birds.
The lake receives water from as many as six rivers namely Mantha, Khandela, Medtha, Rupangarh, Khari, and Samod creating a catchment area of over 5700 sq. kms. The Mendha flows from north to south and the Rupangarh flows from south to north. Declared a RAMSAR wetland, the lake’s depth fluctuates from just 60 centimetres in the dry season to more than 3 meters in or after monsoon season when copious amount of water is drained into the lake. Likewise, the total area of lake fluctuates between 190 to 230 sq.kms based on the season. The lake straddles Nagaur, Jaipur and Ajmer districts, and is surrounded by Aravali hills on all sides.
The lake is divided into eastern and western side by a 5.1 km long sandstone dam. Once the saltwater reaches certain concentration, it is released from the western to eastern by lifting dam gates where the water evaporates and salt is farmed. The eastern side spread over 80 sq.kms comprises of salt reservoirs, canals and salt pans as well as a railroad, built by British to provide access to the salt works. Sambhar lake water is salty because it is part of an endorheic basin i.e. a closed drainage basin with no water outflow. As such all the salt gets accumulated. Also, since the lake is located in dry region of Rajasthan where water quickly evaporates but not salt thereby increase in salt content of the lake.
The lake’s salt supply was worked by Mughals who controlled the lake till 17th century, but in 1709 joint armies of Jaipur and Jodhpur took control of Sambhar Lake and it remained with them till 1949, when government took control and setup a company. Sambhar Salts Ltd., a joint venture of the Hindustan Salts Ltd. and the state government is the main producer of salt that owns 3% of the eastern side of the lake. The company is struggling to produce sufficient salt but private players are producing much more than needed having dug thousands of illegal borewells, which are also severely harming the ecology of the saltwater lake as well as depleting ground water supply in the 38 villages that are in existence surrounding the lake.
Sambhar as a RAMSAR wetland is a key winter breeding ground for thousands of pink flamingos and other birds that flock to the lake while migrating from northern Asia and Siberia. As such, Sambhar lake is a prominent spot for birdwatchers to click photographs. Besides birds in the lake the surrounding forest areas of the lake are full of other wildlife including blackbuck, nilgai, deer and foxes. The highlight of the lake that makes it an attraction for tourist is the differing salt concentration every season on this lake very year that changes the color of lake’s water every season. Since salt concentration in the salt pans, accordingly the color of brine changes from green, orange, pink, purple, pink and red due to presence of various types of algae.
Legend says Sambhar lake is the place where demon priest Shukracharya lived, and it is here that wedding between his daughter, Devayani and King Yayati took place. There is a temple near the lake dedicated to Devayani. Jageshwar temple s also worth a visit. Another legend says that Shakambhari Devi who is also consort of Lord Shiva, converted a dense forest into a plain of silver as payment for some service. Subsequently, she transformed the silver plain into a lake. In 1884, ancient sculpture art was discovered around the lake mostly at Naliasar, including terracotta structures, coins, and seals from a clay stupa referring to spread of Buddhism in the area. In 1934 large number of terracotta figurines, stoneware, and decorated discs were excavated and these can be seen at the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur.
There are lot of many other things to see in and around Sambhar lake. The lake and its bed has been the location of shooting for many films including Bollywood actor Aamir Khan starrer PK. All this makes the lake one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. It is frequented by nature lovers, wanderers, birdwatchers, photography enthusiasts and all kinds of tourists. Even though open throughout the year, the best time to visit the Sambhar is during winter season i.e. November to March, because of the presence of migratory birds and mild temperatures. There are a few small hotel, lodges that provide accommodation to visitors. Accessible only by road on the road towards Jaipur the lake is worth a weekend visit.
