Balsamand Lake and Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Balsamand Lake is an artificial lake situated 5 kms 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 water reservoir for the people of Mandore. The lake with a length of 1 kms, breadth of 50 metres and a depth of 15 metres 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.
