Credit: vinay mishra
Upper Lake is a must-visit destination because Bhopal is popularly known as the City of Lakes. One of the must-visit lakes that stands out is the upper lake, also called Bhojtal, in the heart of Bhopal. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history, features, and attractions of the upper lake.
History of the Upper Lake
Spread over an area of 36.1 square kilometers it is one of the oldest man-made lakes in Madhya Pradesh. It was constructed in the 11th century by the Paramara dynasty king Raja Bhoj. There is an interesting folklore story behind the creation of the lake. Once upon a time, the king was suffering from a disease and unable to cure the disease. A saint advised him to combine 365 tributaries and take a bath inside it to cure skin diseases.
Features and Significance of the Upper Lake This led to the creation of the upper lake also known as Bada Talab and the secret river kailisot.
In 1965, An eleven dam called Bhadbhada Dam was constructed to control the outflow to the river Kaliasote. Since then it serves as a major source of drinking water for the residents. It provided around 30 million gallons of water per day. The lake along with the near Chhota Talaab constitutes a Ramsar site called Bhoj Wetland.
There are many tourist attractions around the lake. Van Vihar National Park surrounds the park from the north, east, and south. There is an agriculture field on the west side. Grand royal garden, Kamla Park overlooking the lake is a popular tourist attraction. The upper lake is connected to the lower lake through an overbridge pula Pukhta. There is an island in the middle of the lake that has the tomb of Shah Ali Shah Rahmataullah. The beautiful statue of Raja Bhoj standing at one corner of the lake adds charm and allure of the place.
Attractions and Activities at the Upper Lake
There are many sports activities that are offered on the eastern sides of lakes such as canoeing, parasailing, kayaking, boating, and rafting. It’s an ideal place for relaxing walking and a picnic. The serene atmosphere around the lake is a perfect place for yoga enthusiasts and for meditation.
Location
By car: 12 (NH 12) connects Bhopal to Jaipur and Jabalpur, while NH 86 connects it to Sagar. The state-owned buses, as well as private buses, regularly operate from different cities and towns of Madhya Pradesh to Bhopal. One can hire a taxi or a cab to reach Upper Lake from the Bhopal bus stand or railway station.
By Train: Bhopal Junction railway station is the nearest railway station to Upper Lake, which is about 7 km away. It is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. After reaching the railway station, one can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the lake.
By Air: Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal is the nearest airport, which is approximately 15 km away from the Upper Lake. It is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai. After reaching the airport, one can hire a taxi or a cab to reach the Upper Lake.