Monument · Rajput · 1362 (lake), 1746 (Lake Palace)
LAKE PICHOLAThe mirror lake of the City of Lakes
The Brief
Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake in Udaipur, India, created in 1362 by a Banjara gypsy tribe and later enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568. Four islands sit in the lake: Jag Niwas (the 1746 Lake Palace, now a hotel), Jag Mandir (the 17th-century pleasure palace), Mohan Mandir, and Arsi Vilas. The City Palace of Udaipur runs along the eastern shore. The Pichola sunset boat ride is the canonical Udaipur experience. MyTripMyTravel arranges private boat charters with escorted island access.
Lake Pichola is the centerpiece of Udaipur — a 4-square-kilometre artificial lake created in 1362 and enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568 when he founded Udaipur as a defensible new capital after the sack of Chittor.
Four islands sit in the lake. Jag Niwas — the 1746 Lake Palace built by Maharana Jagat Singh II — is now the Taj Lake Palace hotel, the floating-marble image that defines Udaipur in international photography. Jag Mandir, the 17th-century pleasure palace, sheltered the Mughal prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) during a revolt against his father.
The City Palace of Udaipur runs 250 m along the eastern shore. The sunset boat ride — from the Bagore-ki-Haveli ghat, around Jag Niwas, with the City Palace lit on the eastern bank — is the canonical Udaipur experience.
MyTripMyTravel arranges private boat charters at sunset with optional Jag Mandir landing (Jag Niwas/Lake Palace is hotel-guest-only). The City Palace circuit and the Bagore-ki-Haveli evening folk performance round out the lake-side day.
Quick Facts
Lake Pichola at a glance
What to See
THE HIGHLIGHTSSunset boat ride
The signature Udaipur experience — from the Bagore-ki-Haveli ghat at golden hour, around Jag Niwas with the City Palace lit on the eastern bank.
Jag Mandir landing
Optional landing at the 17th-century pleasure palace where Shah Jahan once sheltered.
City Palace shoreline
250 m of eastern-bank palace architecture viewed from the water — the canonical Udaipur image.
Bagore-ki-Haveli
18th-century mansion at the western ghat, now a heritage museum with evening folk performances.
Visitor Protocol
How We Run It
Book the sunset boat for the best light; private charter for a slower pace.
Lake levels drop in late summer — confirm before booking late in the dry season.
Combine with the Bagore-ki-Haveli folk performance at 7 pm.
Intelligence
LAKE PICHOLA FAQCan I visit the Lake Palace (Jag Niwas)?
Only as a hotel guest. The Taj Lake Palace is a working luxury hotel, not a public monument.
Is Lake Pichola natural?
No — it was created in 1362 by damming a tributary and substantially enlarged in 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh II as part of the founding of Udaipur.
When is the sunset boat ride?
The principal ride leaves about an hour before sunset; we time the booking for golden hour.
How does Lake Pichola pair with the City Palace?
The City Palace runs 250 m along the eastern shore; viewing it from the water is the signature visual. The standard Udaipur day is City Palace in the afternoon, sunset boat, evening folk performance.