Some places bring out peace and offer you immense comfort by just being themselves, one such place/thing is a lake. Beautiful backdrops, lakes with a calming atmosphere can take away all your stress. India is arguably one of the best places to explore various cultures and gorgeous locations. You can find everything here, from breathtaking mountains to historic architecture to stunning beaches. If you are passionate about traveling, lakes might be one of your wishlists. So, to help you sort your itinerary, we are here with the best lakes to visit. Whether you want to visit a lake for water activities like boating, fishing or you are looking for serenity, these lakes are some of the best options you must visit in India.
Do you want to know more about lakes? Let’s find out:
Pangong Tso Lake
Have you ever seen the oh-so-popular Bollywood movie 3 idiots? Well! Who doesn’t, you might remember the climax scene around the lake, yes that lake is Pangong Tso Lake located in Ladakh. It’s one of the most remarkable places you will find in India. As the location is quite higher than sea level, you might find little difficulty in oxygen. However, it’s accessible and is popularly visited by tourists, the best time to visit is May to August.
Dal Lake
The popular lake located in Srinagar is said to be one of the most loved. As the popular saying goes by” heaven falls in Jammu and Kashmir” The gorgeous lake does justice to the saying. Lake surrounded by Mughal Gardens is known for its boat or Shikara ride. You can hire a shikhara or a houseboat loaded with flowers displaying Kashmiri culture. July and August or Summer months are the best times to visit the place as it sometimes freezes during winters.
Renuka Lake
The lake is named after sage jamadagni and the mother of Parashurama, Lord Vishnu’s avatar. It’s considered as one of the largest lakes in Himachal, located in Mandi. You can enjoy a boat ride in the middle of the mountains with pleasant weather.
Prashar Lake
Located 2730 ft above sea level is another lake in Mandi that offers a panoramic view from the mountains. The small lake is perfect to spend 1-2 hours on your trip to Mandi. The scenic lake has gorgeous views and is a treat to watch.
Mansar lake
Another beautiful lake located in Jammu is believed to be religious as the snake god temple is situated on the bank of the lake. People believe taking a dip in the lake will wash off all your sins. The gorgeous lake is covered with dense forest and is mostly visited by tourists for religious beliefs.
Suraj Tal Lake
The lake popularly known as the lake of the sun god is located in Lahaul Spiti. The Lahaul Spiti valley is a popular destination for trekking, motorcycling, and road trips among national and foreign tourists. You can enjoy stunning views on your trip to Lahaul Spiti valley.
Sattal Lake
Located in Uttarakhand amidst the forest is a gorgeous lake to visit and explore nature at its best. You can find various adventurous activities to enjoy here.
Naini Lake
Another most visited and popular lake located in north India’s city Nainital. Nainital was named after the lake and is the most beautiful place of Nainital. Tourists can enjoy various water sports such as boating and enjoy local cuisines around the lake.
Tarsar Lake
One of the most dramatic lakes located in Jammu and Kashmir in the middle of mountains. Due to its location, the lake is only accessible in summer from April to September, and it’s difficult to reach here. If you are a hardcore adventure enthusiast who enjoys difficult trekking to mountains, you will enjoy reaching here. The gorgeous lake is worth all the effort.
Manasbal Lake
According to some reports, it’s the deepest lake in India. The beautiful lake located in Jammu and Kashmir is popular for kayaking and birdwatching. If you are looking for family picnics or adventure trips with friends, a trip to Manasbal lake is the best option. The perfect time to visit here is the Summer months from July to October as the weather turns pleasant for sightseeing and water sports.
Bhimtal Lake
The best place for a short vacation for people living near or in Uttarakhand. You can pack your bags and take a short break from hectic schedules with your loved ones. It’s easy to reach and perfect for vacation throughout the year. Bhimtal Lake located in Uttarakhand is one of the biggest lakes of India, popular for water sports.
Sela Lake
The world’s second-highest lake to visit through a lake located in Arunachal Pradesh. It’s also called Paradise lake because of its stunning location amidst snowy mountains. Though you can reach it using the road, it’s difficult if you have not traveled by car for long trips in the mountains. The gorgeous lake is one of the most beautiful destinations you must add to your itinerary. Summer months and early winters are the perfect time to make your trip to Sela Lake. Looking for an adventurous and romantic escape? This is your perfect option.
Gurudongmar Lake
One of the most popular lakes is not only surreal but also has a rare mystery. Located at a height of 17,000 ft is the second-highest lake in India where the entire lake freezes during winters, but one corner of the lake remains the same. You can visit during the Summer months for family picnics or escape, if you are looking for a magnificent freezing lake atmosphere visit during November to June. It’s one of the most difficult lakes to reach, as located amidst high mountains in Sikkim. The breathtaking place is something you will never want to miss.
Loktak Lake
The largest freshwater lake located in Manipur is popularly known for its floating vegetation. The beautiful lake is easy to reach, you can visit during November to March due to pleasant weather. The serenity of the location is the perfect escape from hectic and complicated life. You can spend calming and peaceful time in soft running water with your family.
Chilika Lake
The popular bird watching lake located in Orissa. Every year, tourists across the country visit Chilka for birdwatching. You can bring your family and children for the Picnic from November to February as the weather is pleasant for a picnic. Moreover, children can explore various birds here, it would be an exciting experience for them. The lake is easy to reach, and you can enjoy nearby places.
Pichola Lake
If you are a fan of Bollywood movies, you will know Pichola. The lake located near the marvelous Fort in Udaipur, Rajasthan has been used for many film shoots. It’s one of the most popular and most visited places in India. The place attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year across the globe. You can try boating to enjoy your time here, if you know Rajasthan, we don’t need to tell you how many historical places you can explore. You will find warm temperatures during the daytime throughout the year.
Ooty Lake
The gorgeous lake located in Tamil Nadu is the source to experience tranquility. You can enjoy a family picnic or spend cozy time with your partner. Located in mountains and forests, the beautiful lake is the gateway to peace and a stress-free environment. If you are a fan of mountains but don’t like trekking activities, this pretty lake in Ooty is the perfect destination to explore.
Changu Lake
The lake is also known as Tsomgo lake located at a height of 12400 ft in Gangtok, Sikkim. Overwhelmingly scenic place is located amidst snow-capped mountains and alpine forests. Its glacial lake derives water from snow-melting mountains, popular for changing watercolor. During winters, you will witness the astounding freezing lake, and during summer the changing colors.
Veena Lake
The short getaway for holidays in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra. The lake is popularly known for its picnic spot and boating ride with family and friends. The weather here is always pleasant, so you can visit any time of the year. Veena lake is one of the major lakes in India visited by tourists throughout the year. You can easily reach here through the road network, there are several other activities to explore in Mahabaleshwar for tourists.
Manasbal Lake
Manasbal is a less explored lake in Anantnag, is located 30 km away from Srinagar. Manasbal is known as the supreme gem of Kashmir Lake is a stunning location near mountains, you can spend some hours here enjoying nature and its beauty with gorgeous places. The scenic beauty is a means of living for local people. Spend your time while you are on a road trip.
To wrap up: These stunning lakes in India should be on your bucket list for your next vacation. From adventurous ways to reach and water sports to calming environments, you can find what you want in all these destinations.
