Dhebar Lake

Dhebar Lake (also known as Jaisamand Lake) is India's first and world's oldest historical and second largest artificial fresh water lake in India. It is located in the Salumber District of Rajasthan State in western India. It has an area of  when full, and was created at Namla Thikana (rathore-patvi) in the 17th century, when Rana Jai Singh of Udaipur built a marble dam across the Gomati River. It is about  from the district headquarters of Salumbar. When first built, it was the largest artificial lake in the world. The surrounding Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary around Dhebar Lake can be reached by the state highway to Banswara from Udaipur. Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary protects about , mostly teak forest, on the shores of Dhebar Lake. The lake has three islands measuring from  each. The Dhebar Lake Marble Dam is  long and is a part of the "Heritage Monuments of India". The dam also has the Hawa Mahal Palace, winter Capital of the erstwhile Maharanas of Mewar. 1687 to 1691

History

Dhebar Lake, built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1685, covers area of . The lake remained the largest artificial lake in the world till the building of the Aswan dam in Egypt by the British in 1902, that was reconstructed between 1960-1970. During the reign of Maharana Jai Singh (1680–1698), there was a great need for water for cultivation in Mewar's southeastern corner. The Maharana emulated his father (Maharana Raj Singh I who built Rajsamand Lake) by damming a small river, the Gomati and building a massive embankment; the height of the dam is 36.6 meters. Jai Singh named the resultant lake Jaisamand after himself - its often-used nickname is 'Ocean of Victory' ('samand' meaning 'ocean'). On the day of its inauguration,  2 June 1691, Maharana Jai Singh walked around the dam charitably distributing gold equal to his own weight. The statistics of the lake is really amazing –  in breadth,  deep at its deepest end, a circumference of , with marble staircases leading into the water. The summer palaces of the Queens of Udaipur surround Dhebar Lake on all sides. Maharna given special thanks to Namla thikana for their special land contribution .

Characteristics

There are three islands on Dhebar Lake, and the tribe of Bhil Minas (see People of Rajasthan) inhabits all. The two bigger islands are known as Baba ka Magra and the smaller island is called Piari. There is a bund on the lake, which has to be mentioned due to its sheer size –  long,  high and  broad at the base. On the marble dam are six exotic cenotaphs and a Shiva temple in the centre. The northern end of the lake has a palace with a courtyard while its southern end has a pavilion of 12 pillars. The hills to its south have grand palaces that have an excellent view of the lake.

Dhebar Lake has elegant steps leading to the water and marble Chhatri (cenotaphs) on its bank with a small Shiv temple that marks the grace of the lake. On either side are the palaces built for the past kings favourite queens. The local tribe "Bhils" still inhabit the islands. Maharaja Jai Singh created Dhebar Lake in the 17th century utilizing the waters of the Gomti River. Encircled by hills and with a number of summer palaces along the shore, the lake is a natural and peaceful haven. There are eleven islands on the lake, some of which provide sanctuary inhabited by several species of migratory birds. Maharana Jai Singh at the time of digging the foundation for Dhebar Lake, celebrated the occasion by giving away gold in charity after a Tuladaan Ceremony. In the lake there are three islands whose inhabitants use Bhels (boats) to reach the shore. On the top of two nearby hillocks are two old palaces constructed by Maharana Jai Singh still exist in great condition. A very fine view of the lake is available from these Great Palaces. Graceful marble chhatris flank the embankment and beautiful summer palaces of the Udaipur queens.

Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary

A trip to Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary allows a close encounter with the rich wildlife in their natural habitat. The fauna include the panther, wild boar, deer, four-horned antelope, mongoose and various species of migratory birds. The sanctuary's ecoregion is that of Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests.

See also
 Arid Forest Research Institute
 List of lakes in India
 Wildlife of India

References

Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests
Reservoirs in Rajasthan
Tourist attractions in Udaipur district