Rajsamand Lake

Rajsamand Lake

Rajasamand lake is one of the five popular lakes of Udaipur. Located 66kms in the north of Udaipur, Rajsamand Lake lies between Rajnagar and Kankroli. The lake is also known by the name of Rajsamudra Lake in Rajasthan. Rajsamand Lake was built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660.

River Gomti is the main supplier of water to Rajsamand Lake. This lake also boasts of a glorious dam that was built in the 17th century. On the southern end of the lake, the huge embankment is all made in white marble. It has marble terraces and stone steps that touch the waters of the lake. Here, one can also see the five toranas (weighing arches), where Maharana Raj Singh and his descendants organized the event of Tuladan (Kings used to weigh themselves in gold and then distributed it amongst the Brahmans).

On the embankment of the lake, there domicile nine pavilions or ‘Nauchowki’, which were constructed by Maharana Raj Singh. The beautifully carved pavilions are festooned with pictures of the Sun, chariots, Gods, birds and wonderful carvings. The history of Mewar is inscribed in 1017 stanzas, on twenty seven marble slabs, that are called as ‘Raj Prasasti’. It has also been acclaimed as one of the longest etchings acknowledged in India.

Rajsamand (Rajsamudra) Lake, a huge expanse of water 66 km. north of Udaipur, between the towns of RAJNAGAR and KANKROLI. The lake was the result of a dam constructed across the Gomati, Kelwa, and Tali rivers at the southwestern end by Maharana RAJ SINGH I, between 1662 and 1676 AD. The reason for the dam and lake was to provide employment for victims of a widespread drought and famine (1661), and to provide canal irrigation to local farmers. The digging of its foundations began on January 1, 1662. Ranchod Rai, the elder son of Purohit Garibdas, the Royal Priest, laid the foundation stone on April 17, 1665. Construction of the actual dam began on January 14, 1676, Maharana Raj Singh observing a fast on the previous day. The following day, after having his bath, he went to the temple with his brothers, sons, queens, and other relatives. He then observed Ratri-Jagran (the singing of devotional songs) all night.