THE 7 MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKES IN INDIA

India is a land of plenty. Thus, it is also a place dotted with thousands of lakes, including some of the world's most spectacular ones. India's beautiful lakes have plenty to offer, including life-giving water and excellent recreational opportunities for tired souls. Here are the 7 most beautiful lakes in India:

Chilika Lake, Odisha

Migratory birds in the Chilika Lake, Odisha.

This lake is one of India's best locations for bird-watching. Thousands of migratory birds arriving in India from places as far off as Russia and Mongolia land here to avoid the merciless winters of their more northern homes. This seemingly never-ending lagoon along Odisha's east coast is also known for its incredible vastness, being the country's second-biggest lake. 

Loktak Lake, Manipur

A fisherman on a boat and his home on a phumdi island in the Loktak Lake, Manipur.

Not just spectacular, this lake is also unique in its appearance. Located in the northeastern state of Manipur, Loktak Lake is famous for the numerous floating islands of vegetation called phumdis that dot its entire stretch. The lake is also home to the world's only floating national park, the Keibul Lamjao National Park, which is home to the endangered sangai deer. The Loktak Lake supports the local economy by providing opportunities for tourism, fishing, hydroelectric power generation, and drinking water supply. 

Lake Pichola, Rajasthan

Lake Pichola with luxurious palaces and hotels dotting its shores.

A lake with a different kind of beauty, Lake Pichola in Udaipur is worth a visit because of the grand palaces and mansions that dot its shores and the exotic floating hotels it hosts. The lake has an ancient history and was created by Indian maharajahs who ruled the region sometime around the 14th century to store water for their subjects in the otherwise arid region. Lake Pichola is also home to India's most luxurious hotel, the Lake Palace, Udaipur, where national and international celebrities spend their vacation days. 

Venna Lake, Maharashtra

Boating on the Venna Lake, Maharashtra.

The top-rated hill station of Mahabaleshwar is also home to the famous Venna Lake. The lake, surrounded by greenery, greets tourists with its scenic settings and plenty of recreational opportunities. Boating in Venna Lake is on the to-do list of attractions of all Mahabaleshwar goers. 

Umiam Lake, Meghalaya

Umiam Lake or Bada Pani Lake in Meghalaya

If you travel to the hill station of Shillong in Meghalaya, Umiam Lake is a must-visit. This massive lake, with its intensely blue waters and surrounding green, rolling hills, appear out of a fairytale book. The lake is a reservoir created in the 1960s following the construction of a dam on the Umiam River. The lake is not just a destination to enjoy scenic sights but also offers adventure activities like kayaking, water cycling, scooting, and more. 

Vembanad Lake, Kerala

Locals in a traditional boat in the Vembanad Lake in Kerala

This lake in "God's own country" holds the title of the "longest lake in India." The lake attracts thousands of tourists with its beauty, vastness, and great biodiversity. Many birds, both residents and migratory, are found in the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary on its eastern shore. Numerous resorts dot its shores where vacationers spend some peaceful days in the heart of Kerala's unparalleled natural abundance.

Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir

The beautiful Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir

No list of India's beautiful lakes can be complete without a mention of the lake that has inspired numerous love stories, romantic movies, and passionate poems. The Dal Lake in Srinagar is undoubtedly the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir." The vast lake's shore-scenery varies from quite urban settings to green lake-side forests and parks to snow-capped mountains. The awe-inspiring wooden houseboats on the lake and its floating flower markets are also a visitor's delight.