Bhojtal (Upper Lake) in Bhopal –Tourism Information and Timings

Bhopal accommodates several great lakes which are quite significant for the city and this is the reason due to which Bhopal is also being reckoned as the City of Lakes. One such notable lake is Bhojtal Lake which is also commonly called the Upper Lake. It also has a local name which is something like Bada Talab (Big Lake). Named after King Bhoj, the lake covers a vast extent and is thus the finest specimen of a man-made lake and is also one of the primary sources of water for irrigation and domestic purposes. Tourists from far and wide visit Bhojtal Bhopal to catch the stunning view of its glimmering water and to indulge in a lot of water sports and activities on the eastern side of the lake.

Location and Overview

Bhojtal Lake lies on the west of Bhopal and is separated from the lower lake by an overbridge called Pul Pukhta. It is located near CM House in Bhopal and is constructed on the Kolans River. Obviously, the location is stellar as there is a marvelous royal garden called Kamla Park in the vicinity which makes its surroundings scenic. Again, it is a perfect hub for adventure junkies and offers a lot of opportunities for water sports and fun activities. A boat club, aquarium, and walkway, serenaded by cool breeze make Bhojtal Bhopal a perfect spot for rendezvous. Again, the lake also has the Dargah of Maulvi Shah Ali Shah.

Background History of Bhojtal

This magnificent water body was named after King Bhoj who built it across Kolans River in the 11th century. According to the folklore, this humongous lake was built by the king to cure his skin disease. The king was suffering from an incurable skin disease and all the Vaidyas (or doctors) had failed to cure it. Finally, a saint prescribed the king to build a huge water body or tank that combines 365 tributaries and then have a bath in it to steer clear of the disease. Accordingly, the king called for his engineers who spotted a place which was about 32 km away from Bhopal called Betwa. It was found that there were only 359 tributaries. Later, a Gond Commander Kalia aided by giving the address of an invisible river and finally the amalgamation helped achieve the target number which was 365. The Upper Lake was renamed in March 2011 as Bhojtal in honor of the person who built it: Great King Raja Bhoj. Again, a pillar on one corner of the lake holds a statue of Raja.

Things to See

Bhojtal Bhopal is a perfect spot to unwind and spend some leisure time with your loved ones. Here you can catch a glimpse of the breathtaking sunrise and sunset over the glimmering waters of the lake. You can simply sit and watch the vast stretch of beautiful waters before you. Again, the spot gives a perfect opportunity for photographers to showcase their skills by clicking some mesmerizing pictures. You can also visit the royal park called Kamla Garden which is pretty popular among the tourists. Also, if you are up for some adrenaline rush, partake in various water sports like kayaking, parasailing, canoeing, rafting and more.

How to Reach Bhojtal Lake

You can access Bhojtal Bhopal from two bus-stops namely Polytechnic and Kamla Park. You can also hire a taxi or auto and ask the driver to drop you to the Boat Club. Again, the lake is only about 6 km from the railway station and around 9-10 km from the airport. You can hire a cab or taxi from the respective places and visit the lakes.

Best time to visit Bhojtal Lake

The best time to visit the Bhojtal Lake is the winter season from October to March when the weather is an ideal one to enjoy the enchanting beauty of this lake. One can indulge in boating and other water sports activities during this time.

Places to visit near Bhojtal Lake

Bhojtal Lake is also known as the Upper Lake and is situated in Bhopal. It is located in the vicinity of several other famous tourist attractions. The places to visit near Bhojtal Lake are Lower Lake, Van Vihar, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Gohar Mahal, etc.