Jaisamand Lake

Jaisamand Lake, also known as Dhebar Lake, lies about 58 km from Udaipur. Maharana Jai Singh created it in 1685 by damming the Gomati River, and its name means Ocean of Victory. It was once counted the largest artificial lake in the world and is still among the biggest in Asia, measuring about 14 km by 9 km, with an area near 36 sq km, a shoreline of 48 km and a depth of up to 102 feet. The Maharana is said to have marked its opening by giving away his weight in gold.

On the northern shore stand two summer palaces, Hawa Mahal and Ruthi Rani ka Mahal, built for the royal women. The dam carries six carved chhatris, a temple to Shiva as Narmadeshwar and a stone elephant with its trunk raised. The lake has three islands: one is home to Bhil Mina families and another holds a resort.