The desert land Rajasthan is popular to the tourists for the intricate structures, majestic palaces and splendid havelis. However a water body in the dry arid region of Rajasthan can be equally popular in Rajasthan as well. The Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer is one such structure in Rajasthan that is a popular site to visit. Gadisar Lake Jaisalmer is a manmade lake that was once constructed to get some respite from the water shortage in the region. Literally the lake served as an oasis in the middle of the desert land. At present this is a popular tourist spot in Jaisalmer that the tourists visit to enjoy activities like boating or bird watching.
Keep on reading this article as here I will mention everything that you probably need to know about Gadisar Lake. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to this location in Jaisalmer.
Gadisar Lake Jaisalmer
Location of Gadisar Lake: Near Tilon Ki Gate, Postal Colony, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Gadisar Lake timings: 8 am to 7 pm on all days
Entry fee of Gadisar Lake: There is no entry fee to enter Gadisar Lake. However there are charges for the boat ride there. For a 2 seater Paddle Boat it is Rs. 100, for a 4 seater Paddle Boat it is Rs. 200 and for a 6 seater Paddle Boat it is Rs. 300.
How to reach Gadisar Lake
By air
The Jaisalmer Airport is the nearest airport if you are travelling by air and the lake is 20 km away from the airport. From there you can either take a cab or else you can take local transport like taxi or auto rickshaw to reach the lake in about 30 minutes.
By train
The Jaisalmer Railway Station is the nearest railway station to reach the Gadisar Lake. From the railway station the lake is 8 km away. You can take a cab or hire a car to reach the lake. Or you can also opt for local transport like auto rickshaws to reach the lake in about 10 to 15 minutes.
By road
You can reach this lake from different parts of Rajasthan by road. Buses are available from different parts of the city to reach this lake. From Jaisalmer City the lake is about 10 minutes away. You can also take your own vehicle to reach the Gadisar Lake as well or take a car or hire a cab. Rickshaws and auto rickshaws are really convenient modes of transport within the city. You can directly reach the lake if you are travelling by local transport. The Jaisalmer Fort is located near the lake so you can even walk up to the lake from there as well.
Best time to visit Gadisar Lake
The lake is located in the desert area of Jaisalmer, so for obvious reasons the temperature here is really high during summers. The ideal time to visit a location like this will always be the winter months. You can visit here from the month of October to March. These are the colder and comfortable months in Jaisalmer in terms of weather. If you are visiting the lake during this time you would be able to explore the whole area really well and comfortably. Also a variety of bird species flock at the site here during the winters. So if you are visiting here during the winters you would be able to enjoy watching the birds here as well.
However, avoid visiting here during the peak summer months from April to June. These are really hot and humid months in Jaisalmer and the temperature even rises above 40 degrees. The humid weather will be uncomfortable to explore the area well. So it is best to avoid visiting here during these months.
Also the monsoon season from July to September is not the ideal time to visit here either. During this time the roads are often flooded and inaccessible. These can be quite a hassle for your visit to this location. Furthermore the incessant rainfall will also be a dampener for your travel spirit. So plan your visit to Gadisar Lake accordingly.
Overview of Gadisar Lake
Located in the outskirts of Jaisalmer at an arid region in Rajasthan, around 10 km away from the main city of Jaisalmer, the Gadisar Lake is a beautiful tourist spot. In a desert location the Gadisar Lake or the Gadisar Sagar Lake is like an oasis. The construction of the Gadisar Lake goes back to the middle ages when there was no system of irrigation or presence of canals. There were basically no scientific ways to bring water to such arid regions in Rajasthan. It was then that Raja Rawal Jaiswal built this reservoir keeping in mind the need of the water. It is located really close to the Jaisalmer Fort and offers picturesque views. This reservoir is like a respite for the people of the region from the hot, dry and humid climate in Jaisalmer.
At present the Lake is a popular tourist spot in Jaisalmer that is popular for its beautiful views. It is a great location where you can spend some time with your friends and family. The Lake also has boating facilities here for the tourists which is a popular activity here. Along with that you can also spot a variety of migratory birds here as well. Overall this is a beautiful location that you can check out when you are in Jaisalmer.
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Gadisar Lake History
The construction of the Gadisar Lake dates back to 12th – 13th century. Raja Rawal Jaiswal built this reservoir while keeping in mind the need for water. He was the first king of the state and the city of Jaisalmer. This lake was constructed by digging down the land so that the aridity of the location can be balanced somehow. What was in favour of this construction was the location of this lake. Due to the gradient and texture of the land here the reservoir automatically could gather as well as store some rain water here. During that time the construction of this lake was life saving for the people of this region. Furthermore this lake acted as a reservoir as well as served as a space to conserve water.
Due to the construction of this lake the water scarcity in the region decreased to a certain extent. Also many people considered this formation as an oasis in the middle of the Thar Desert even though it was a man made construction. Later in 1400 AD Maharawal Gadsi Singh renovated the whole area. And from his name this beautiful lake got its name as well. Previously it was a simple water body. But later a few chattris and a couple of shrines were added here.
Architecture of Gadisar Lake
The architecture of this lake is simple yet beautiful. During the 19th century the Tilon Ki Pol was built here which is a magnificent gate. This gate is one of the popular structures here. This is a beautiful archway made of yellow sandstone that looks majestic. Undoubtedly this gate elevates the beauty of the Gadisar Lake. The royal courtesan during the 19th century installed this gate. Later in time, in 1908, they also installed a statue of Lord Vishnu at the gate. Also they declared this as a Shiva temple so that no one can demolish it. This beautiful structure has stood the test of time and reflects the rich traditional Rajasthani style of architecture.
There are some temples around the lake as well that include Shiva Temple, Krishna Temple, Ganesha Temple. Along with that there are some chattris or cenotaphs of the royal family here as well on the banks of the lake.
Read More: Patwon Ki Haveli Jaisalmer Photos, Entry Fee, Timings, History
Tourist attractions in Gadisar Lake Jaisalmer
Laser Water Show
The laser water show at this lake is one of the largest laser water shows as well. This show depicts the foundation of the city of Jaisalmer and the story of the founders, various attacks of the city etc. It is an interesting show to enjoy here and a popular tourist attraction as well. The Gadisar Lake light show timings are after sunset from 6 pm. You should definitely try to attend the show and it would be a really nice experience for you.
Boat Ride
At the Gadisar Lake, boat riding is a very popular tourist activity. You will be able to enjoy the beautiful view of the lake as well as the whole surrounding by experiencing this boat ride here. Moreover the price of boat ride here varies depending on the kind of boat that you are choosing. It will be one of the most interesting activities that you can enjoy here. The pristine surrounding and the calm and tranquil ambiance will totally have your heart. So make sure you are definitely enjoying the boat ride here.
Feed the fishes
From catfish to shoals the lake has different kinds of fishes in the lake. These fishes gather in groups near the bank of the lake to get some food. So you can surely grab that opportunity and feed them some dry food like biscuits or puffed rice. It can be very interesting to witness the cluster of fishes here.
Bird watching
This area is popular for the presence of a variety of birds. Especially during the winter months a lot of migratory birds visit this lake and sit on the banks here. For bird lovers this can be one of the best opportunities to spot a variety of birds here. A lot of birds here fly from the nearby Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary as well. For the best experience do not forget to carry your binoculars to enjoy a clear view of the birds.
Enjoy the view
The view that this location offers is totally unmissable. You can enjoy an all encompassing view of the whole area while sitting on the banks of the lake. Along with that you can enjoy a distant view of the Jaisalmer Fort from this location as well that looks equally enchanting. If you are a photographer you will find a lot of beautiful spots here to capture with your lens.
Wrapping Up!
Now that you have all the information about the Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer you must plan a visit to this location. This will truly be like a breath of fresh air in the arid regions of Jaisalmer. You can enjoy the laser show and boating here and the picturesque location will be beautiful to enjoy. So when are you planning a trip to Gadisar Lake Jaisalmer? Also let me know if this article on Gadisar Lake is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
