5 Strangest Lakes In India

From meteorite impact craters and high-altitude glacial lakes to vast coastal lagoons and sacred water bodies, these lakes are not only natural wonders but also vital to biodiversity and human livelihoods. They support rare species, preserve ancient histories, and reflect deep spiritual beliefs, while also facing growing threats from pollution, climate change, and human activity.

Lonar Lake, Maharashtra - A Geological Marvel

The Lonar Lake in Maharashtra. Image credit: Praxsans via Wikimedia Commons.

The Lonar Lake is a rare geological marvel nestled in the Buldhana District of Maharashtra, India. It is located in an impact crater formed when a meteorite from outer space collided with Earth's surface in this area. Various estimates exist about the age of the crater, ranging anywhere from 52,000 to 570,000 years ago. Analysis of the soil in the lake area has detected minerals found in Moon rocks. An endorheic basin with no outflow, the lake loses water by evaporation and gains it from precipitation and freshwater springs. The water is highly saline and alkaline, supporting a range of microorganisms that are adapted to hypersaline environments. The surrounding area is rich in biodiversity with over 160 species of birds, 12 mammalian species, 46 reptilian species, and more. Pollution and unsustainable tourism threaten the unique environment of this lake.

Roopkund, Uttarakhand - The Skeleton Lake

The Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand. Image credit: Ashokyadav739,via Wikimedia Commons.

A lake steeped in mystery, the Roopkund Lake is located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Located at 5,020 m, it is accessible only through a multi-day trek from Lohajung, the nearest settlement with a motorable road. The Roopkund Lake is surrounded by the lofty, snow-clad massifs and glaciers of the Himalayas and is a place of ethereal beauty. The lake itself is not too large and the water is around 9.8 feet deep, and remains frozen for most of the year. The lake is known for the many human skeletons that reveal themselves when the snow thaws over the lake. The origin of these skeletons remains a matter of debate. Some studies claim that an extreme weather event, possibly a deadly hailstorm, killed a group of people from a single group passing through this area sometime in the 9th century. Other studies, however, propose that the skeletons come from two separate events and belong to people of three distinct ancestry groups.

Loktak Lake, Manipur - Home To World’s Only Floating National Park

The phumdis on Loktak Lake. Image credit: Sharada Prasad CS via Wikimedia Commons.

The Loktak Lake is a spectacular water body, varying in size from 250 square km to 500 square km, and is located in Moirang, Manipur. The lake is famed for its floating phumdis. These are circular, often ring-shaped masses of decomposing vegetation of varying sizes that float throughout the lake. In some places, such phumdis are used by fishermen to build their huts and use a fishing station. At the southeastern side of the lake, the phumdis have coalesced to form a large mass of floating vegetation that is home to a great diversity of species. This area has been designated as the Keibul Lamjao National Park. The endangered sangai deer, an endemic subspecies of the Eld’s deer, is found in this park, along with many other species. The Loktak Lake is currently threatened by pollution and climate change.

Chilika Lake, Odisha - Asia’s Largest Brackish Water Lagoon

The Chilika Lake in Odisha. Image credit: Government of Odisha via Wikimedia Commons.

The Chilika Lake, the world’s second-largest coastal lagoon, covers an area of 1,100 square km in three districts of Odisha. It is present at the mouth of the Daya River as it flows into the Bay of Bengal. The lake is the Indian subcontinent’s largest wintering ground for migratory birds. Hence, it has earned recognition as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Chilika is also famous for its rich fisheries and the rare Irrawaddy dolphins found near Satapada.

Pushkar Lake, Rajasthan - Mythological Legends And Lore

Ghats on the Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan. Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ghats_on_the_Pushkar_lake,_Rajasthan.jpg via Wikimedia Commons.

This lake, situated in Pushkar in the Ajmer District of Rajasthan, is considered sacred by Hindus. Thousands of pilgrims take a bath in the lake each year, with over 50 bathing ghats built to facilitate this ritual. It is believed that bathing in the lake cleanses people of their sins. The lake is surrounded by over 500 temples, including India’s only temple dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma. Pushkar Lake also finds mention in ancient Indian mythological tales, epics, and scriptures, and thus holds great significance in the country’s history and culture.

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