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India is the seventh-largest country in the world. This vast land has much geographical diversity from north to south and east to west. The towering Himalayas in the north that stands still as a protector, the desert in the west, the fertile land of Indo-Gangetic plain, the Deccan plateau of the south surrounded by major water bodies–the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian ocean, and dense forests of mangroves in the east.
The extremely diverse geography and each landscape have their unique taste, they have become an attraction to the tourists. Talking of tourist attractions the natural lakes of India are one of the most visited tourist spots. Here is a list of most beautiful natural lakes in India that you might want to add to your bucket list:
1. Dal Lake, Kashmir
Dal Lake is in the state of Kashmir, the heaven on earth. Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir, is no doubt an integral part of making this heaven on earth. Also named as Lake Of Flowers and jewel in the crown of Kashmir, is the second-largest urban lake in Jammu and Kashmir. This lake is a major tourist attraction in Kashmir.
This iconic lake has colorful Shikaras floating around, houseboats, floating gardens, and two islands. The exotic natural beauty of this lake is worth giving it the number one place in your bucket list.
2. Pangong Lake, Ladakh
The favorite place to go for a bike trip for every bike rider in India is a trip to Leh, Ladakh. Pangong Tso Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes you will ever see. Filled with clear blue water, and surrounded by snow-dusted mountains, this lake it at some 4250 meters above sea level. The mesmerizing natural beauty and the sound of rippling water in such a peaceful atmosphere make the ambiance blissful.
You will need an Inner line permit to access the lake as it a disputed territory. Other than getting awed by the blue waterscape, you can do camping as well as ice-skating there.
3. Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim
Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in India as well as the world. It is a freshwater lake and considered sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs. The lake is at 190 km distance from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. The best time to visit this place is between May-October; otherwise, the lake remains frozen in winters (also known as the frozen lake of India).
Situated in the north-east Kanchenjunga range, the lake is surrounded by towering mountain peaks. The natural beauty will captivate you with its jaw-dropping picturesque settings.
4. Vembanad Lake, Kerala
Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India, approximately 96.5 km long. The lake expands to three keralian districts–Alapuzzha, Kuttanad, and Kochi. Kelera, known as god’s own country, has this lake, which is a prominent backwaters destination. You can see many houseboats floating around like this, a focal tourist point.
The snake boat race, organized every year in August is a major attraction in Vembanad Lake. The longest rail bridge in India, Vembanad Rail Bridge, is engineering excellence built upon the lake.
5. Wular Lake, Kashmir
Wular Lake is the most remarkable natural lake in the state of Kashmir. It is one of the largest natural water lakes in Asia. Fed by Jhelum River, the lake is 260 square kilometers in area. A natural habitat for fish and bird heaven, this lake is a major tourist attraction.
It offers several water activities, such as boating, speed boating, waterskiing. The lake is a prominent source of livelihood for thousands of people living on the shores and all over Kashmir. The lake is one of the pristinely beautiful lakes in India.
6. Loktak Lake, Manipur
Loktak lake is the largest freshwater lake in northeast India. The lake is not only a tourist hotspot but also a rich asset of biodiversity. It has the world’s only floating national park, the Keibul Lamjao National Park, and many floating islands called Phumdis that are only natural waste made. It is home to the endangered species Sangai.
Loktak is the lifeline of Manipur; it is not only a source of their livelihood but also hydropower, irrigation, drinking water, and wildlife. The lake has picturesque settings at its best with the hues of blue in the backdrop.
7. Chilika Lake, Odisha
Chilika is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second-largest brackish water lagoon in the world that is in Odisha. It is also the largest inland salt-water lagoon in Asia. The lake is one of the UNESCO’s world heritage sites for being the wintering ground for several migratory birds, and its treasure fold of Flora and Fauna encompassment.
It is an ecologically rich tourist attraction and the only home of Irrawaddy dolphins, an endangered species of India. There is an island in the center of the lake, Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, making it a prominent bird-watching spot for tourists.
8. Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh
Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lake in India after chilika, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. This lake also is a heaven for several migratory birds; the lake also encompasses the Pulicat Lagoon Bird Sanctuary.
It is also a hotspot of commercial fishing, and a lake rich in flora and fauna diversity. This shallow lake with a beautiful picturesque setting is a major tourist attraction of Andhra Pradesh.
9. Bhimtal Lake, Uttarakhand
The Bhimtal Lake of Uttarakhand is the largest in the Kumaon region. In the small town of Bhimtal (named from the lake itself), the lake surrounded by mesmerizing natural beauty is a conveniently peaceful setup. This is an offbeat place to explore for tourists with many other activities to do such as boating, fishing, camping, and trekking.
The breathtaking green landscapes surrounding the blue waterscape is the perfect backdrop for your pictures.
10. Sambhar Salt Lake, Rajasthan
India’s largest inland salt lake, the Sambhar salt lake, is in the princely state of Rajasthan. The lake is an extensive saline wetland that produces 9% of the total salt production of India. This is also a key wintering area for many migratory birds of northern Asia, and thousands of pink flamingos. The striking color of the lake water results from different algae and bacteria growing in the water.
Sambharkar Lake is also historically significant, as mentioned in the Hindu epic ‘Mahabharata’. The skyline stretching to hugeness where the sky meets the water is agleam of thin blue. This sheer beauty is a famous tourist attraction of Rajasthan.
