Lake is a surface water body that is surrounded by land. Rivers will be outlet or inlet to the lakes i.e. lakes take the water from rivers or act as a source of water.
Important Facts related to Lakes of India
- Largest freshwater lake in India: Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
- Largest Saline water lake in India: Chilka Lake, Orissa
- Important Saline lakes of India: Pulicat, Pangong Tso, Chilika, Lonar, Sambhar, Pachpadra
- Highest lake in India (Altitude): Cholamu lake, Sikkim
- Longest Lake in India: Vembanad lake, Kerala
- Largest Artificial Lake in India: Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar (Rihand Dam)
- Dhebar Lake is India’s second-largest artificial lake, after Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar. It is located in the Udaipur District of Rajasthan.
- Lonar Lake is a crater lake and it is notified National Geo-heritage Monument, located at Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra.
Top 10 largest Lakes of India
The list of largest lakes is mentioned in the table below:
| List of largest Lakes(Decreasing order of area covered) | State/UT |
| Vembanad Lake | Kerala |
| Chilika Lake | Odisha |
| Shivaji Sagar Lake | Maharashtra |
| Indira Sagar lake | Madhya Pradesh |
| Pangong Lake | Ladakh |
| Pulicat Lake | Andhra Pradesh |
| Sardar Sarovar Lake | Gujarat |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Lake | Telangana |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur |
| Wular lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
Important Salt Water lakes of India
| Saltwater Lake | Location |
|---|---|
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Lonar Lake | Maharashtra |
| Chilka Lake | Odisha |
| Pulicat Lake | Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu state border |
| Pangong Tso Lake | Ladakh |
| Pachpadra Lake | Rajasthan |
25 Important Lakes of India
1. Kolleru Lake – Andhra Pradesh: Lakes of India
- The largest lake in India.
- Located between Krishna and Godavari delta.
- It was declared a wetland of international importance in 2002 under Ramsar convention.
2. Sambhar Lake – Rajasthan: Lakes of India
- India’s largest inland salt lake.
- Mahabharata mentions the Sambhar Lake as part of the kingdom of the demon king Brishparva.
- It symbolises the Aravalli Range depression.
- The Mughal monarchy exploited the lake’s salt supply, which was afterwards shared by the princely realms of Jaipur and Jodhpur.
- According to the Ramsar Convention, it is a wetland of “international significance.
- “It gets its water from the Samood, Khari, Mantha, Khandela, Medtha, and Roopangarh rivers.
3. Pushkar Lake – Rajasthan: Lakes of India
- Located in the town of Pushkar in Ajmer district of the Rajasthan.
- Pushkar Lake is a sacred lake of the Hindus.
- Thousands of pilgrims come to bath in the waters of the lake during the festival of Kartika Poornima in November.
4. Lonar Lake- Maharashtra : Lakes of India
- The Lonar lake was formed 50,000 years ago after a meteorite hit the Earth.
- Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar Crater, is a salty, soda lake in the Buldhana region of Maharashtra that has been designated as a National Geo-heritage Monument.
- Geo-heritage refers to geological characteristics that are intrinsically or culturally significant and may be used for teaching or to provide insight into the earth’s evolution or history.
- It’s part of the Deccan Plateau, which is a huge expanse of volcanic basalt rock formed by eruptions.
- It is said to have been formed when a meteorite collided with the Earth around 52,000 years ago.
- Recently, the colour of Lonar lake turned pink overnight and hence, this news has been in the news.
- Some experts suggest that the pink colour might be due to the presence of algae and low level of water.
5. Pulicat Lake- Andhra Pradesh: Lakes of India
- The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal.
- After Chilika Lake, it is the country’s second-largest brackish water environment (Odisha).
- It is situated on the boundary of the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
- It is mostly found in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
- Each year, a vast variety of species, such as grey pelicans and painted storks, visit the location.
- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies the Grey Pelican and the Painted Stork as near-threatened species.
- The annual Flamingo Festival will take place in Pulicat Lake in January.
6. Loktak Lake -Manipur: Lakes of India
- The largest freshwater lake in North -East India
- KeibulLamjao the only floating national park in the world floats over it, which is the last natural refuge of the endangered sangai or Manipur brow-antlered deer.
- It is designated a wetland of international importance under Ramsar Convention in 1990.
7. Sasthamcotta Lake – Kerala: Lakes of India
- Largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
- The purity of the lake water for drinking use is attributed to the presence of a large population of larva called cavaborus that consumes bacteria in the lake water.
8. Vembanad Lake -Kerala: Lakes of India
- Longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala.
- The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of the lake.
9. Chilka Lake -Odisha: Lakes of India
- It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world.
- Chilika Lake is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds, on the Indian sub-continent.
- It is a brackish water coastal lake.
- Chilika Lake was declared as the first Ramsar Convention wetland of international importance in India in 1981.
- Irrawaddy dolphins, which are frequently observed off Satapada Island, are a major attraction in Chilika.In 1987, the lagoon’s large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds), which covers about 16 square kilometres, was designated as a bird sanctuary.
- Thousands of kilometres distant, birds migrate to Chilika Lake from the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, the Aral Sea, remote sections of Russia, Mongolia’s Kirghiz steppes, Central and South East Asia, Ladakh, and the Himalayas.
10. Dal Lake – Jammu Kashmir: Lakes of India
- Dal Lake is a lake in Srinagar and is integral to tourism known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
- Asia’s largest Tulip garden is on the banks of Dal Lake.
- Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh and the NishatBagh are on the banks of Dal Lake.
11. Nalsarover Lake- Gujarat: Lakes of India
- The lake – Nalsarovar – and the wetlands around it were declared a bird sanctuary in 1969.
12. Tsomgo Lake – Sikkim: Lakes of India
- Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake, is a glacial lake in the East Sikkim.
- The lake is the venue for the Guru Purnima festival in which Jhakris of Sikkim assemble at the lake area to derive benefits from the healing qualities of the lake waters.
13. Bhimtal Lake – Uttarakhand: Lakes of India
- It is the largest lake in Kumaon region, known as the “lake district of India”.
- It is a “C” shaped lake.
14. Barapani Lake- Meghalaya: Lakes of India
- Barapani or Umiam Lake is in Shillong.
- The origin of Lake in 1965 is due to the UmiamUmtru Hydro Electric Power Project, the first Hydel power project in the North-east region of India.
15. Nainital Lake – Uttarakhand: Lakes of India
- Kidney shaped or crescent-shaped.
- Situated in the Nainital district called the Lake District of India.
16. Periyar Lake -Kerala: Lakes of India
- Periyar Lake is formed by the construction of the dam across the Mullaperiyar River in 1895.
- The notable elephant reserve and a tiger reserve, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the banks of Periyar lake.
17. Hussain Sagar Lake – Telengana: Lakes of India
- The lake is in Hyderabad, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim QuliQutub Shah.
- Connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
- A major attraction at the Hussain Sagar is the 16 meters high, 350 tonnes monolithic Buddha statue on the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ installed at the centre of the lake.
18. Salim Ali Lake – Maharashtra: Lakes of India
- It has been renamed after the great ornithologist, naturalist Salim Ali and also known as birdman of India.
- Salim Ali Sarovar (lake) popularly known as Salim Ali Talab is located near Delhi Gate, opposite HimayatBagh, Aurangabad.
19. Kanwar Lake- Bihar: Lakes of India
- The KanwarTaal or KabarTaal Lake is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake.
20. Nakki Lake – Rajasthan:Lakes of India
- ‘Nakki Lake is situated in the Indian hill station of Mount Abu in Aravalli range.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in this Holy Lake on 12 February 1948 and Gandhi Ghat was constructed.
21. Bhojtal Lake- Madhya Pradesh: Lakes of India
- Also known as Upper Lake lies on the western side of the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.
22. Wular Lake – Jammu Kashmir: Lakes of India
- Largest Freshwater Lake in India.
- Lake Basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River.
23. Ashtamudi Lake: Lakes of India
- It is a lagoon in the Kollam district of Kerala.
- It has been registered as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
24. Pangong Lake: Lakes of India
- Pangong Lake is an endorheic (landlocked) water body with a long boomerang form.
- It is situated at a height of approximately 4,200 metres (13,800 feet) above sea level.
- With a length of more than 135 kilometres, it is a transborder lake between eastern Ladakh and western Tibet.
- At its widest point, it is around 5 kilometres wide.
25. Pachpadra Lake: Lakes of India
- Pachpadra Lake, located in the Barmer region of Rajasthan, is another salt water lake in the state.
- The salt lake in Pachpadra hamlet is one of Barmer’s most well-known attractions, attracting migratory birds from all over the world.
Important lakes of India are Tabulated below :
| Name | State | Type of Lakes | Facts/Description |
| Pulicat Lake | Andhra Pradesh | Brackish Water | It encompasses Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary; Satish Dhawan Space Centre located here |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | Freshwater | Home to migratory birds |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Andhra Pradesh | Freshwater | Artificially constructed; Krishna river |
| Haflong Lake | Assam | Freshwater | High altitude lake |
| DeeporBeel | Assam | Freshwater | Under Ramsar Convention |
| Son Beel | Assam | Freshwater (Tectonically formed) | Largest wetland in Assam |
| Chandubi lake | Assam | Freshwater | Migratory Birds (winter); formed by 1897 earthquake |
| Kanwar Lake | Bihar | Oxbow (freshwater) | Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake; |
| Hamirsar lake | Gujarat | Artificial | Situated in centre of Bhuj |
| Kankaria lake | Gujarat | Artificial | During 14th century by Muhammed Shah II |
| Narayan Sarovar | Gujarat | Artificial freshwater | Pilgrimage site for Hindus |
| Thol Lake | Gujarat | Lentic lake | Constructed for irrigation purpose |
| Vastrapur | Gujarat | Freshwater | Narmada River; Picnic spot |
| Badkal Lake | Haryana | Freshwater | Man made |
| Blue Bird Lake | Haryana | Freshwater | Migratory Birds, Wetland Habitat |
| Brahma Sarovar | Haryana | Freshwater | Ancient water pool sacred to Hinduism |
| Damdama Lake | Haryana | Freshwater | Constructed by British government for Rainwater Harvesting |
| Karna | Haryana | Freshwater | Connected to great epic Mahabharata |
| Tilyar | Haryana | Freshwater (canal inflow) | Located inside Tilyar Zoo |
| Chandra Taal | Himachal Pradesh | Sweetwater lake | Ramsar wetland site |
| Suraj Taal | Himachal Pradesh | Freshwater (High Altitude) | Bhaga River inflow |
| MaharanaPratapSagar | Himachal Pradesh | Freshwater | Ramsar site |
| Prashar lake | Himachal Pradesh | Holomitic (Freshwater) | It has a floating Island |
| Renuka lake | Himachal Pradesh | Freshwater | It is designated as the Ramsar site |
| Dal lake | J &K | Warm monomitic | Remnants of past glacial period |
| Pangong Tso | J &K | Endorheic Lake (saline water) | Indo-China Border |
| Wular lake | J &K | Tectonic lake (fresh water) | Largest freshwater lake in India |
| TsoMoriri | J &K | Saltwater | High altitude lake |
| Agata lake | Karnataka | Freshwater | Located in southwest part of the city |
| Bellandur Lake | Karnataka | Freshwater | – |
| Karanji lake | Karnataka | – | Butterfly park |
| Ulsoor lake | Karnataka | Stale water | It has several islands |
| Kukarahalli lake | Karnataka | Freshwater | Recreational |
| Honnamana | Karnataka | Freshwater | Holy lake, place for various festivals |
| Pampa Sarovar | Karnataka | Freshwater | Tungabhadra river |
| Ashtamudi Kayal | Kerala | Brackish water | Ramsar wetland site |
| Kuttanad | Kerala | Backwater paddy cultivation | |
| Vembanad | Kerala | Brackish water | Ramsar wetland; boat race |
| Shashtamkotta | Kerala | Freshwater | Ramsar wetland |
| Bhojtal | Madhya. Pradesh | Freshwater | Ramsar site; largest artificial lake in India |
| Salim Ali | Maharashtra | Freshwater | Birdwatching |
| Shivsagar | Maharashtra | Freshwater | Koyna dam |
| Lonar lake | Maharashtra | Crater lake | National Geo-Heritage monument |
| Loktak lake | Manipur | Lenticular freshwater | Ramsar wetland; Phumdis (Floating Islands); Multipurpose project |
| Umiam | Meghalaya | Freshwater | Famous for cycling and boating |
| Tam Dil | Mizoram | Freshwater | – |
| Chilika lake | Orissa | Brackish water | India’s largest brackish water lake; lagoon |
| Kanjia lake | Orissa | Freshwater | Wetland of national importance |
| Harike | Punjab | Freshwater | Ramsar wetland site |
| Rupar | Punjab | Freshwater | Manmade riverine lake |
| Kanjli | Punjab | Freshwater | Ramsar wetland site |
| Sambhar lake | Rajasthan | Saltwater | Ramsar wetland; largest inland saltwater lake in India |
| Rajsamand | Rajasthan | Freshwater | – |
| Tsomgo lake | Sikkim | Freshwater | Winter frozen |
| Khecheoplari | Sikkim | Freshwater | Sacred lake for Hindus and Buddhists |
| Ooty lake | Tamilnadu | Freshwater | Boat House |
| Chembarambakkam | Tamilnadu | Artificial lake | – |
| Kodaikanal Lake | Tamilnadu | Artificial lake | Boat club, boathouse, and boat service |
| Hussain Sagar | Telangana | Artificial lake | Artificial Gibraltar rock island |
| Badrakali lake | Telegana | Freshwater | Artificial lake |
| Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar | Uttar Pradesh | Man-made lake | Rihand dam |
| Belasagar | Uttar Pradesh | Freshwater | Irrigation lake |
| Bhimtal | Uttarakhand | Freshwater | Medium altitude lake |
| East Calcutta wetlands | West Bengal | Brackish water | Ramsar wetland |
Also, refer :
- Download the pdf of Important MCQs From the History Of Ancient India
- List Of Important Inscriptions In India
