This is what Wikipedia says about Lake Pichola:“Lake Pichola is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD, named after the nearby Picholi village.[1][2] The lakes around Udaipur were primarily created by building dams to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of the city and its neighborhood. Two islands, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are located within Pichola Lake, and have been developed with several palaces to provide views of the lake.[1][3]
There are four islands on the lake :
Jag Niwas, where is built the Lake Palace.
Jag Mandir, with the palace of the same name.
Mohan Mandir, from where the king would watch the annual Gangaur festival celebration.
Arsi Vilas, small island which was an ammunition depot, but also a small palace. This one was built by one of the maharanas of Udaipur to enjoy the sunset on the lake. It is also a sanctuary catering to a variety of birds, including tufted ducks, coots, egrets, terns, cormorants and kingfishers [4].”
The first island we passed was the one with the Taj Lake Palace on it, now a heritage hotel.
This hotel appears in the James Bond movie Octopussy. We would have liked to stay there for one or two nights, but it was booked solid AND it is very, very expensive. Unfortunately it is not even possible to visit it for drinks or dinner, so as a non-guest you can only see it from the outside.
Can you imagine that this whole lake has fallen dry for months during many years?!!! And did you know that it is said that there are a few crocodiles living in it?
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| The weather was very strange when we took the boat tour; sunny, clouds, sun again, etc. It is amazing what a difference that makes for the colors and thus for the pictures! |
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| The Taj Lake Palace Hotel in the front and the City Palace in the back. |
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| Jag Mandir, a small island with palace where we embarked. |
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| Rows of stone elephants are awaiting visitors. |
Jag Mandir is small. Only some bored waiters are walking around, serving the tourists when they embark for a short break on the island.
There is not very much to be seen, so after half an hour you are more then ready to go back to the mainland.
When you climb to a higher point, there are gorgeous views over the lake and the city and mountains.
Somehow the boat driver left everybody there not for half an hour, but for an hour and a half! Boring:-(.
So it was nice to have visited Jag Mandir, but a bit too long. Half an hour really is enough.
Have a look at the fairytale-like Taj Lake Palace Hotel with night lights…
Very pretty!
Gorgeous photos! I would love to visit someday!