Fateh Sagar Lake Boat Ride, One of the most well-known artificial lakes in Rajasthan is Fateh Sagar Lake, which is situated in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This lake was designed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1687, but due to heavy rainfall and floods, the building was unable to withstand the elements, and the lake was washed away in the flood. Maharana Fateh Singh later constructed a dam to create the lake in 1889. During the Duke of Connaught’s visit to Udaipur, the dam was given the name ‘Connaught Dam.’ As a result, the lake was given the name Fateh Sagar Lake in honor of the founder.
Since Fateh Sagar Lake is one of Udaipur’s most popular tourist destinations, a variety of festivals are held alongside it. Hariyali Amavasya Mela, for example, Every year, the Green New Moon Fair, also known as the Fateh Sagar Lake Fair, is held beside the Fateh Sagar Lake Boat Ride. The Hindu calendar considers the months of August and September to be auspicious, so this festival is held during those months.
Fateh Sagar Lake is also home to Udaipur’s first aquarium, which housed more than 200 species of marine life from all over the world. ‘Under the Sun’ was the name given to this aquarium when it was installed in 2017. Since many local villagers use this water for a variety of purposes, the Rajasthan state government is working to improve the quality of the water stored in the lake and find ways to store it, as drought is a common occurrence in Udaipur during the summer.
History of Lake Fatehsagar Udaipur
According to the historical information, in 1888, the first lake got washed away due to floods. This is the time when Maharana Fateh Singh came to the rescue and ordered the construction of a dam which is now known as the Connaught Bund or embankment. The 800-meter long dam was built on the eastern side of the lake.
In the medieval era, the cost of the renovation was 6 lakh rupees which were incurred by the king. The dam is still considered the second most significant source of drinking water for people in Udaipur. Therefore, the lake has been named Fateh Sagar Lake Boat Ride to honor the generosity of king Maharana Fateh Singh.
Boating at Fateh Sagar Lake
What’s a trip to the Fateh Sagar Lake Boat Ride without a detour for some good old boating! One of the best ways to explore the verdant greenery of the city as you enjoy the spectacle of the Aravalli, boating here is a tourist favourite. Different types of boats are available at the service of the patrons and you can choose your pick from the same. The prices for the same are listed below:-
- Boat ride: INR 15-30 (Indians), INR 60-125 (Foreign Nationals)
- Motorboat: INR 200 (Adult), INR 100 (Child)
- Speedboat: INR 200 for 30 minutes (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
Activities at the Fateh Sagar Lake
Being one of the activity hubs of the city, the Fateh Sagar Lake Boat Ride has quite a few interesting things for every kind of visitor. Revel in the beauty of this charming lake as you boat your way through its water, or sit back at the banks and go for a lazy afternoon of spotting local birds. You can also indulge in nature photography or bring along some snacks and have an impromptu picnic with your friends and family. The sunsets here are especially picturesque and you must visit this destination to witness the same!
Events at Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is one of the few venues which hosts the hottest national and international events in the town. One of the most awaited events that are held here is the World Music Festival, which is a three-day celebration of music and all that it represents. Generally held sometime during the month of February, you can witness mesmerising performances by national and international artists. Be it poems or soul-stirring instrumentals, you are bound to find your kind of music here.
Another important festival held at the Fateh Sagar Lake Boat Ride is the Hariyali Amavasya Mela which sees a great footfall every year. Also known as the Green New Moon Fair, this celebration is held during the months of August/September or Shravan. It is a colourful celebration of the onset of the monsoon season and is celebrated over the course of three days. Fun, festivities and frolic mark these days and various cultural celebrations are held to welcome the rains.
Best time to visit Lake Fatehsagar Udaipur
Evening time is considered as the best time to visit Fateh Sagar Lake Boat Ride as the weather is quite enjoyable during this time. In general, it is recommended to visit Udaipur during October to March to avoid the scorching heat of the city.
How to Reach
The lake is located only 5 km away from the bus station and railway station and 27 km from the airport. The tourists can hire taxis, auto rickshaws, Tongas (horse driven two wheelers) or the local buses to reach here.
Air : Indian Airlines daily connects Udaipur with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi. Dabok Airport is 21 Km. from the city centre and transportation by taxi takes 35-45 minutes.
Rail : The Railway Station is about 3 Km. from the city centre. Udaipur is directly connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittaur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.
Road : Udaipur is connected by National Highway No. 8, the major road link between Mumbai and Delhi. The Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Road Transport Corporation operate buses to Udaipur from various regions. Private bus companies also operate in the region during night hours. The State Transport Bus Stand is on City Station Road, NH 8, Udaipur.