A short ride towards the north Jaipur can teleport you away from the hustle of the main city into nature’s bounty.
Man Sagar Lake situated on the outskirts of Jaipur is a 300-acre bewitching water body ringed in the lap of the majestic Aravalli Hills, this artificial lake which was an outcome of the dam built on the Dravyavati river in 1610 by Raja Man Singh the Maharaja of Amer. As the name suggests, it was named after the ruler itself, he spent his hunting time near the lake due to the rich wildlife, and later in the 18th century, Maharana Jai Singh II built a lodge amidst the lake named as the Jal Mahal.
The adverse flora & fauna later started degrading because of the water contamination, which was later resolved in 2008. One can still spot distinct birds & animals near the lake relishing their natural habitat.
Tale of Mann Sagar’s Creation, Contamination And Restoration
- In 1596 there was an extreme scarcity of water in the region, which lead Raja Man Singh to decide to dam Dravyavati river in 1560. The Man Sagar Lake resolved various water hindrances and attracted various migratory birds along with the nearby wildlife beings.
- The royal family used to enjoy their hunting time near the lake, which later inspired Maharaja Jai Singh II to construct a royal hunting lodge in between the lake called Jal Mahal.
- In the 1990s the due to sewage dumping, the water of the lake turned contaminated, which resulted in deterioration of flora & fauna in the area.
- The issue was then highlighted in the year 2000 to the Rajasthan Government, and there were several temporary measures taken over the years that proved to be ineffective.
- In 2007 Jal Mahal Resorts Pvt. Ltd. (JMRPL) took over the lake area for restoration purposes on a 99-year lease, from 2008 there were various plans implemented that restored freshwater in the lake.
Activities to Indulge at the Lake
- A park is built on the bank of the lake, where one can get a brief look at the lake where you can take a short walk & enjoy the breezy lakeside winds.
- One can also enjoy shopping from the small vendors nearby selling their crafts. There are also several costumes you can try at a few stalls and get clicked for a small price.
- A boat ride in the lake is a must as entry to Jal Mahal is restricted, and this is the only way to get a closer view of this bewitching floating palace.
- It is one of the most adored locations by the pre-wedding photographers, as the backdrop of Jal Mahal looks majestic.
How to Reach Man Sagar Lake?
As Man Sagar Lake is situated on the outskirts of Jaipur City, one has to take a cab, rickshaw, or bus to the Amer; which can take around 15 minutes or more from central Jaipur depending upon the traffic.
Nearby Places to Visit
• Nahargarh Fort: Built-in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh perched on a hill surrounded by the Aravalli range, and this fort was used as a retreat by the royal family. One can have an aerial view of the surroundings, including the enchanting Man Sagar Lake. You might have caught a few glimpses of this fort in Bollywood Movies like Shuddh Desi Romance & Rang De Basanti.
• Kanak Vrindavan: Situated on the bottom of the Nahargarh Hills, this garden was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur approximately 280 years ago. It was named after Lord Krishna’s Vrindavan as it is believed that this place resembles it. One can enjoy the fountains, lush gardens, cenotaphs, mirror art on the walls here.
• Amer Fort Palace: Once a humble abode of the royal Rajputi Family of the rulers of Amer turned into an enthralling tourist location. The architecture of this fort is inspired by the impeccable Mughal architecture, this fort apart from being located high on a hill and providing mesmerizing bird’s eye view of the valley also has several courtyards & rooms to adore.
• Jaigarh Fort: Built-in 1726 by Jai Singh II overlooking the Amer fort to safeguard it from the enemies. This place is renowned for the world’s largest cannon on wheels named Jaivana Cannon. Amer Fort & the Jaigarh fort are inter-connected through a passage.
