Jaisamand Lake, also called Dhebar Lake, is a 17th-century artificial lake about 48–58 km south of Udaipur, in Salumber district, Rajasthan. Built by Maharana Jai Singh of Mewar across the Gomati River and inaugurated on 2 June 1691, it is ringed by a carved marble embankment, cenotaphs and elephant statues, dotted with tribal islands, and wrapped by the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary. This guide covers the dam, boating, the sanctuary, the summer palaces, when to go and how to reach.
Jaisamand Lake is a large man-made reservoir near Udaipur, created in the late 17th century by damming the Gomati River under Maharana Jai Singh of the Mewar dynasty. Visit for its marble dam lined with six cenotaphs and carved elephants, boating to Bhil and Mina island settlements, and the wildlife sanctuary around it. Winter is the best season.
Key takeaways
- Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar Lake) sits in Salumber district, Rajasthan, roughly 48–58 km south of Udaipur on the Udaipur–Banswara road; sources differ on the exact distance.
- The lake was created by Maharana Jai Singh of Mewar, who dammed the Gomati River; its marble dam was inaugurated on 2 June 1691, per Incredible India and Wikipedia.
- The marble dam carries six carved chhatris (cenotaphs), a Shiva temple and marble elephant statues, with steps leading down to the water.
- The Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary around the lake is mainly teak forest and shelters panther, chital, sambar, wild boar, four-horned antelope and crocodiles, per the Rajasthan Forest Department and Incredible India.
- Winter (roughly October to March) is the comfortable season; summers climb above 40°C, per Incredible India’s climate figures.
- The nearest airport and railway station are both in Udaipur: Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) and Udaipur City station (UDZ).
About Jaisamand Lake and quick facts
Jaisamand Lake, in Salumber district of Rajasthan, is one of India’s largest and oldest surviving artificial lakes, formed by a marble dam across the Gomati River near Udaipur. Its name joins “Jai” (for Maharana Jai Singh) with “samand” (sea or ocean), which is why it is often translated as “Ocean of Victory”. The reservoir is also known locally as Dhebar Lake.
The lake became part of the new Salumber district when Rajasthan carved that district out of the erstwhile Udaipur district on 7 August 2023, per the state’s district reorganisation. For most travellers Udaipur remains the practical base, as the lake lies a short drive south on the road towards Banswara.
Sources differ on the lake’s dimensions. The Incredible India portal gives a surface area of about 36 sq km with a circumference of about 48 km, while Wikipedia cites a larger figure of roughly 87–93 sq km when the lake is full. We give both and label the figure’s source rather than claim a single number.
| Also known as | Dhebar Lake |
|---|---|
| Location | Salumber district, Rajasthan (near Udaipur) |
| Distance from Udaipur | About 48 km (local/trade sources) to 58 km (Incredible India) |
| Built by | Maharana Jai Singh, Mewar dynasty |
| Dam inaugurated | 2 June 1691 (Incredible India, Wikipedia) |
| River dammed | Gomati |
| Surface area | About 36 sq km (Incredible India); up to about 87–93 sq km when full (Wikipedia) |
| Best season | Winter, roughly October to March |
| Nearest airport / rail | Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) / Udaipur City (UDZ) |
History, the marble dam and the chhatris
The lake was created by Maharana Jai Singh of Mewar in the late 17th century, who dammed the Gomati River to form the reservoir. According to the Incredible India portal and Wikipedia, construction is dated to around 1685 and the dam was inaugurated on 2 June 1691. On the inauguration day, Jai Singh is said to have given away gold equal to his own weight, a story repeated by both sources.
The dam itself is the showpiece. Built of marble, it carries six ornately carved chhatris (domed cenotaphs) spaced along its length and a small temple that Incredible India records as dedicated to Narmadeshwar Swaroop, a form of Shiva. Carved marble elephants, one shown with its trunk raised, stand on the embankment, and marble steps lead down into the water. The dam’s height is given as about 36.6 m in Wikipedia’s history section.
Jaisamand’s standing among Indian lakes is often overstated, so it is worth attributing. Incredible India describes it as the second-largest artificial lake in Asia; Wikipedia calls it India’s second-largest artificial freshwater lake. Historian Willy Logan argues that the “largest in Asia” line is a common guidebook error and that the lake’s safer, documented distinction is as the largest surviving pre-modern artificial lake in India. Treat any single superlative as an attributed claim, not settled fact.
Best time to visit
Winter, roughly October to March, is the best time to visit Jaisamand Lake, when daytime temperatures are comfortable for boating and walking the dam. Incredible India’s monthly figures put January highs near 30°C and lows around 3°C, while May and June highs climb past 43°C, which makes mid-summer visits hot and glaring over open water.
The monsoon (roughly July to September) greens the surrounding hills and raises the lake level, but afternoon showers and haze can interrupt boating. Note that Wikipedia records the lake nearly drying out in some recent years, so water levels and boat operations in a dry spell are worth checking locally before you set out.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | October–March | Pleasant days; Jan range about 3–30°C; ideal for boating and the sanctuary |
| Summer | April–June | Hot; highs past 43°C in May–June; early-morning visits only |
| Monsoon | July–September | Green hills, higher water; showers and haze may affect boating |
How to reach Jaisamand Lake
Reach Jaisamand Lake by road from Udaipur, which is about 48 km away by local and trade estimates and about 58 km per Incredible India, on the state highway towards Banswara. There is no airport or railway station at the lake itself; Udaipur is the gateway for all three modes of transport.
By air, the nearest airport is Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) at Dabok, Udaipur, with domestic flights to the main metros. By rail, Udaipur City station (UDZ) is the nearest railhead. From Udaipur, taxis, private cars and some RSRTC/state and private buses on the Udaipur–Banswara route reach the lake in roughly one to one and a half hours. Self-driving is straightforward on a sealed highway.
| Mode | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR), Udaipur | Nearest airport; then road to the lake |
| Rail | Udaipur City station (UDZ) | Nearest railhead; taxi onward |
| Road | About 48–58 km from Udaipur on the Banswara road | Taxi, self-drive or bus; roughly 1–1.5 hours |
Things to see and do at Jaisamand Lake
The main things to do at Jaisamand Lake are to walk the marble dam, take a boat out to the islands, and look for wildlife in the sanctuary around the shore. Each sits within a short radius, so a half-day covers the highlights at an easy pace.
The marble dam and chhatris are the first stop: six carved cenotaphs, the Shiva temple and the elephant statues reward a slow walk, especially in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon. The islands are the second draw. Incredible India and Wikipedia name larger and smaller islands (such as Baba ka Magra and Piari), with counts quoted inconsistently as three or seven; at least one is home to Bhil and Mina communities, who should be respected as residents, not sights. Boats run to the islands, with timings commonly quoted as about 10 am to 5 pm (indicative; reconfirm locally).
On the hills above the water stand two summer palaces built for Rana Jai Singh, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and the Ruthi Rani ka Mahal (literally “palace of the sulking queen”), per Incredible India. They are modest in scale but give the best wide views of the reservoir. Birdwatching along the shallows and quiet shoreline walks round out a visit.
| Spot / experience | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Marble dam, six chhatris and elephants | The signature 17th-century Mewar engineering and carving | 45–60 min |
| Boat ride to the islands | Views of the dam; island settlements; birdlife | 45–90 min |
| Hawa Mahal and Ruthi Rani ka Mahal | Hilltop summer palaces with lake panoramas | 45 min |
| Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary edge | Teak forest, deer, birds, crocodiles in the lake | 1–2 hours |
Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
The Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest wrapped around the lake, administered by the Rajasthan Forest Department and made up mostly of teak-dominated dry deciduous woodland. Its area is cited inconsistently: about 52 sq km in some Forest Department-aligned summaries and roughly 160–162 sq km in Incredible India and Wikipedia. The ecoregion is the Kathiawar–Gir dry deciduous forests. It was once a royal hunting ground of the Mewar rulers.
Reported mammals include panther and leopard, wild boar, chital (spotted deer), sambar, chinkara (Indian gazelle), four-horned antelope, common langur and mongoose; crocodiles, turtles and a range of fish live in the lake, and migratory birds use the shallows in winter, per Incredible India and the Rajasthan Forest Department-aligned sources. Sightings are not guaranteed; the appeal is a quiet mixed landscape of forest, water and birdlife rather than big-cat safaris. Check current entry arrangements and any guide requirement with the local forest office before entering.
A suggested day trip
Jaisamand Lake works best as a relaxed day trip from Udaipur, leaving the morning free for the drive and the dam and the afternoon for boating and the palaces. A rough plan:
- Morning: Drive from Udaipur (about 1–1.5 hours); reach the lake and walk the marble dam, the six chhatris, the Shiva temple and the elephant statues in the cooler light.
- Midday: Take a boat to the islands and across to the far shore; carry water and a hat, as shade is limited on the water.
- Afternoon: Climb to the Hawa Mahal and Ruthi Rani ka Mahal for the wide views, then spend an hour along the sanctuary edge for deer and birds.
- Evening: Return to Udaipur for the night, or stay on the lake if you have booked the island resort.
If you have a second day, pair the lake with Udaipur’s own sights, or push on towards the hills. Travellers building a longer Rajasthan loop sometimes combine it with the lakes and step-wells described in our Bundi travel guide.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in Udaipur and treat Jaisamand as a day trip, but there is one well-known lakeside option. The Jaisamand Island Resort sits on an island in the lake (listed at Island 1, Sarada, on the Udaipur–Banswara road) and is described in listings as a four-star property with a pool, spa and lake-view rooms; it is reached by the resort’s own boat. We could not confirm it as a Rajasthan Tourism (RTDC) property, and tariffs vary by season and site, so book directly and reconfirm the current rate and boat transfer.
In Udaipur you will find the full range, from budget guesthouses near the old city to mid-range hotels and heritage and luxury lake-view properties. Approximate planning bands are below; these are indicative, vary with season and demand, and should be reconfirmed at the time of booking.
| Category | Indicative per night (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (Udaipur) | ₹900–2,000 | Guesthouses and basic hotels; book ahead in winter |
| Mid-range (Udaipur) | ₹2,500–6,000 | Comfortable hotels, some with lake views |
| Lakeside / luxury | ₹8,000 and up | Jaisamand Island Resort and Udaipur heritage/luxury hotels |
Budget breakdown
A no-frills day trip to Jaisamand Lake from Udaipur can be done on a modest budget, with the car and the boat ride the main costs. The estimate below is a per-person planning figure for a two-person day trip by taxi, excluding accommodation; all amounts are indicative and should be reconfirmed, as of October 2026.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Return taxi, Udaipur–Jaisamand | ₹1,000–1,750 | Shared between two; full-day cab, split |
| Boat ride | ₹200–500 | Per person; varies by boat and season |
| Sanctuary / entry (if applicable) | ₹100–300 | Reconfirm at the forest office |
| Meals and water | ₹250–500 | Simple lunch and refreshments |
| Approx. per-person total | ₹1,550–3,050 | Excludes stay; add Udaipur hotel from the table above |
Permits, rules and practical tips
No special permit such as an Inner Line Permit is needed to visit Jaisamand Lake; it is open to all Indian and foreign travellers. Entry to the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary may carry a forest entry charge and, in places, a guide requirement, so confirm current arrangements and any fee at the local forest office before entering.
- Connectivity and cash: Mobile network is reasonable on the main road; carry some cash, as UPI and card acceptance can be patchy at the lake and small stalls. ATMs are reliable in Udaipur rather than at the lake.
- Health and safety: There is no large hospital at the lake; Udaipur has the nearest well-equipped hospitals. Carry water and sun protection, as shade is limited on the dam and on the water.
- On the water: Wear a life jacket on boats, follow the operator’s limits, and do not overload small craft. Crocodiles live in the lake, so keep to designated areas near the shore.
- Respect residents: The islands are home to Bhil and Mina communities; ask before photographing people and treat the settlements as homes, not attractions.
- Eco rules: Carry out your litter and avoid single-use plastic; the sanctuary is a protected area.
- Solo women travellers: Daytime visits with a known taxi operator are generally straightforward; as anywhere, keep someone informed of your plan and return before dark.
- Food: Options at the lake are limited to simple stalls and the resort; most travellers eat in Udaipur, where Rajasthani dishes such as dal baati churma (lentils with baked wheat balls and a sweet crumble) and gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in a yoghurt gravy) are easy to find.
Nearby places
Jaisamand Lake pairs naturally with Udaipur’s lakes and palaces and with a handful of towns and temples to the south and east. The table lists the obvious add-ons with approximate distances; reconfirm road distances locally, as of October 2026.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Udaipur | About 48–58 km | City of Lakes; palaces, Lake Pichola, museums and the practical base |
| Salumber town | Within the district | District headquarters; old fort town of the Mewar region |
| Rishabhdeo (Kesariyaji) | Roughly 40–65 km | Important Jain and folk pilgrimage temple south of Udaipur |
| Jhadol | West of Udaipur | Rural Aravalli belt and forested countryside |
For a wider Rajasthan plan, the lake fits a southern leg out of Udaipur, while hill-country breaks such as our Mount Abu travel guide and the step-wells and palace town in our Bundi travel guide extend the trip north and west. A cooler escape is the Aravalli hill station covered in the Mount Abu guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Jaisamand Lake?
Jaisamand Lake, also called Dhebar Lake, is in Salumber district of Rajasthan, about 48–58 km south of Udaipur on the road towards Banswara. Salumber was carved out of Udaipur district on 7 August 2023. Udaipur, with its airport and railway station, is the usual base for reaching the lake.
Who built Jaisamand Lake and when?
Jaisamand Lake was built by Maharana Jai Singh of the Mewar dynasty, who dammed the Gomati River in the late 17th century. Incredible India and Wikipedia date construction to around 1685 and record the marble dam’s inauguration on 2 June 1691, when Jai Singh reportedly gave away gold equal to his own weight.
Is Jaisamand Lake the largest artificial lake in Asia?
Not reliably. Incredible India calls Jaisamand the second-largest artificial lake in Asia, but that ranking is disputed. The safest documented claim, argued by historian Willy Logan, is that it is the largest surviving pre-modern artificial lake in India. Treat any single superlative as an attributed claim rather than a fact.
Can you go boating at Jaisamand Lake?
Yes. Boats take visitors from the marble dam out to the islands and the far shore, with timings commonly quoted as roughly 10 am to 5 pm, though these hours and fares are indicative and should be reconfirmed locally. Water levels vary, and in a dry year, which Wikipedia notes has happened recently, boating may be limited.
What is the best time to visit Jaisamand Lake?
Winter, roughly October to March, is the best time to visit. Daytime temperatures are comfortable, with January ranging about 3–30°C per Incredible India, while summer highs pass 43°C in May and June. The monsoon from July to September raises the water and greens the hills but can bring showers that interrupt boating.
Is there a wildlife sanctuary at Jaisamand Lake?
Yes. The Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary, administered by the Rajasthan Forest Department, surrounds the lake and is mainly teak forest. It shelters panther, chital, sambar, wild boar, four-horned antelope and langur, with crocodiles and migratory birds at the lake. Confirm current entry charges and any guide requirement at the local forest office.
Last updated and sources
Go if you want an uncrowded day trip from Udaipur built around 17th-century Mewar engineering, boating and quiet forest, rather than a polished resort circuit. Winter is the time; pair it with Udaipur’s lakes for a full itinerary.
Last updated: 17 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India — Jaisamand Lake; Wikipedia — Dhebar Lake; RajRAS — Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary; Wikipedia — Salumber district; historian Willy Logan’s analysis of the lake’s ranking (willylogan.com). Accessed October 2026.
